The 2009 Songwriters Hall of Fame ceremony was held June 18 at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York. According to Bob Grossweiner & Jane Cohen, “The biggest ovation of the night, went to Andy Williams, who sang “Moon River,” whose songwriters (lyrics by Johnny Mercer, music by Henry Mancini) were honored for “Towering Song,” a song that has lasting impact. Williams is still a mainstay at his theater, the Moon River Theatre, in Branson, MO.”

Inductees that night included Jon Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora, David Crosby, Stephen Stills and Graham Nash, Felix Cavaliere and Eddie Brigati, Galt MacDemott, James Rado and Gerome Ragni. The Songwriters Hall of Fame Virtual Museum can be found at Songhall.org.

“It seems as if kids are everywhere!” will be the word around Branson as young entertainers arrive the second week in July for American Kids Inc. National Finals. In addition to performing in the national membership talent competition and the top 25 AllStar Show at the Baldknobbers Theater, they will also be found around town on various other stages.

The young performers, members of the nation’s only little league of entertainers, have been preparing since January and July 13-17 their efforts will culminate at nationals. They will be competing for more than $9,000 in cash and prizes and the title of Performer of the Year at the American Kids Inc. 2009 National Finals and performing around town in outdoor concerts and pre-shows.

“American Kids Inc. has been showcasing the nation’s talented young performers for 27 years and holding national finals in Branson annually for more than a decade. The support this community has given us is appreciated. This year our young performers will have the opportunity to share their talent gifts in pre-shows and outdoor stages to the tune of more than 150 acts during the week of nationals,” said Dr. Dale Smith, founder of the non-profit group, based in Branson and known as the nation’s only little league of entertainers.

Many American Kids national finalists will be showcased on outdoor stages throughout the week. On July 12, 13 and 18, young performers will be at the Grand Village 2-3 p.m. July 12; 4-5 p.m. and 6-7 p.m. July 13; and 11 a.m.-noon and 5-6 p.m. July 18. On July 14 and 16, they will be performing at Ben & Jerry’s Scoop Shop on the dock at Branson Landing 1:30-3:30 p.m. both days.

American Kids will be featured in pre-shows on July 15 at Hamner Barber Variety Theatre and on July 16 at the Baldknobbers Theatre. Pre-shows are expected to begin about 7:30 p.m.

The entertainer judged as the top performer in the gospel category will be invited to perform on July 19 at the 10 a.m. Grand Old Gospel Hour at Dick Clark’s American Bandstand Theater.

Kids presenting some 250 acts will compete in the membership talent contest judged by an impressive slate of national and celebrity judges. Competition begins at 9 a.m. Monday, Tuesday and Thursday with an awards ceremony on Friday morning. Wednesday has been dedicated to performance workshops rather than competition.

The competition will conclude with the AllStar Show at 2 p.m. Friday, July 17, where 25 of the top acts will be showcased. One winner will be selected as Performer of the Year and receive a $1,500 cash prize and the opportunity to guest star on the Penny Gilley Show on RFD TV. Tickets to the show are $10 and available at the door.

Ozark Mountain Bank’s holding company, Central Bancompany, was recently named one of the Top 25 Performers of 2008 in an article published in the June, 2009, American Bankers Association Banking Journal.

“We are very pleased that our Holding Company was recognized as one of the ‘Top 25’ performing banking companies in the country,” said Craig Richards, Ozark Mountain Bank President and CEO. “Since 1950, we have built a foundation of people, community, technology and management that has stood the test of time. Furthermore, this is a testament to the dedication and professionalism of our employees.”

To determine the rankings, The American Bankers Association (ABA) studied the performance of domestic publicly held depository institutions with assets over $3 billion as of December 31, 2008. The banks, thrift institutions and bank holding companies were ranked by return on average equity for 2008. The ABA found financial institutions that performed well in the difficult 2008 economic environment were those that excelled at relatively traditional banking activities, such as generating low-cost core deposits, making quality loans and focusing on consistent service quality.
Making this ranking even more significant is the success Central Bancompany achieved in the challenging 2008 banking environment. Nearly 67% of the large public banks and thrifts either qualified for or participated in the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP)1. Central Bancompany and its 13 member banks, including Ozark Mountain Bank, did not require or receive any TARP funds.

Ozark Mountain Bank, with its six locations in Taney & Stone Counties, has approximately $300 million dollars in assets and Central Bancompany is a $9 billion, Missouri-based, bank holding company with 13 full-service banks and more than 175 locations in 66 communities serving consumers and businesses in Missouri, Illinois, Kansas and Oklahoma.

The public is invited to numerous free activities this week marking the grand opening of Morningside, the residential community that is home to televangelist Jim Bakker.  Morningside is a residential project on 560 acres, owned by developer Jerry Crawford, who credits Bakker with saving his marriage years ago and is located at the junction of Missouri 86 and 13 in Blue Eye, Missouri, about 30 miles south of Branson.

Starting June 29, events including concerts and seminars are scheduled from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. It includes the opportunity to watch the taping of the nationally syndicated Jim Bakker TV Show inside the complex that resembles a small village with a central courtyard called Grace Street. Also, the Tabernacle in Peaceful Valley will be dedicated.

The schedule of events may be found at www.jimbakkershow.com or call 417-779-9000. Evening concerts are at 7 p.m. and include performances by Ronnie and Glory-Ann Prophet on Monday, Dino and Cheryl Kartsonakis on Tuesday and a youth concert featuring Bill Ballenger and Kevin Shorey on Wednesday. Thursday’s concert features Jim Bakker with Barbara Fairchild and Roy Morris. Friday features the Frontline Worship Concert and Saturday a line-up of guests include the Rankin Brothers.