Branson Country USA with Special Guest Kathy Eckhert – October 12, 2012

Branson Country USA is co-hosted by Grand Country nuts, Jamie Haage, as Jim Dandy, and Mike Patrick! With a rotating roster of talent, the show features special guest stars from the rich Branson entertainment industry. From celebrities such as Mickey Gilley and Roy Clark to the up-and-coming stars of tomorrow, the weekly line-up is always a hit!

Audiences also enjoy the incredible voices of Jackie Brown, Melody Hart and the power harmonies of New South, both weekly regulars on the show. The entire show is backed by the dynamic Grand Band.

Recorded LIVE on Friday night at 10:30 PM
This show is broadcast on radio stations around the country.
Airing Saturday nights at 7:00 PM on KRZK – 106.3 in Branson, MO.
And Sunday nights at 9:00 PM. on KHOZ – 102.9 in Harrison, AR.

You can also listen via the internet. www.bransoncountryusa.net
Show airs at 7:00 PM (cst.) – Every Saturday Night

Grand Country Music Hall
1945 W. 76 Country Blvd.
Branson, MO 65616
417-335-2484 – Reservations
417-336-5829 – Fax

Branson, MO ~ Award-winning actor Muse Watson, also known as “Mike Franks” to his thousands of fans, will take the stage at the Starlite Theatre on November 5th to perform an all-inspiring rendition of The Battle Hymn of the Republic, accompanied by the Jerry Ford Big Band Orchestra. As part of the citywide Veterans Day celebrations, the Starlite Theatre will host the USO-canteen-style show, produced by Brenda Meadows, an Army veteran who toured Vietnam in 1968 as an USO performer, and sponsored by Branson Veterans Task Force. Watson will join an all-star lineup in Vets for Vets that will feature many of Branson’s top performers, including Jeanna Kilbane, Army veteran Eddie Stovall and The Platters, award-winning pianist Dino , special guest Eddie Beesley, who lost his legs in 1965 while serving in Chu Lai, Vietnam and many more. Watson’s two brothers served in the Air Force.

This is Watson’s second-year to be in Branson during Veterans week. Last year, Watson spoke at the unveiling ceremony for The Traveling Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall at The Welk Theatre and dedicated an American flag to the Branson Veteran’s Task Force. Watson will again be riding alongside Branson Veteran’s Task Force Chairman Ernie Bradley in the 79th annual Veterans Day Parade.

“I can’t think of a better way to celebrate Veterans’ week than with the men and women whose sacrifices make it possible for the rest of us to have the freedom to live our lives….. states Watson ——- ”

Vets for Vets producer Brenda Meadows remembers how important these shows were to men and women during active duty.

“Muse has two brothers who served in Vietnam, so he knows how important entertainment from “home” was to them”, states Meadows. “We are so excited about Muse joining us. He’s so talented vocally as well as has a great deal of heart and gratitude for those who served in the U.S. military. We have adopted him as an honorary vet!”

Vets for Vets is free to veterans and immediate family members.
@ The Starlite Theatre on November 5th, 5-7:15pm. For more information call 866-991-1982

Watson will open his second-year engagement at the Starlite Theatre, starring in A Christmas Snow LIVE November 1st through December 8th.

About Muse Watson: Equally comfortable on the theater stage as he is in front of the camera, Muse Watson first gained notice with several strong performances on stage that helped pave the way for a feature film and television career. His diverse roles in Sommersby, Something to Talk About, Assassins, & Rosewood brought him mainstream recognition but it was the villainous “Ben Willis” in the trendy thriller I Know What You Did Last Summer films and From Dusk Till Dawn 2 that propelled him in the limelight as a chameleonic actor. He made equally impressionable appearances in Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me and Sundance Film-Festival award-winner Songcatcher, challenging himself by playing unique characters. He co-starred with Samuel L. Jackson in the recently released Meeting Evil and in the soon to be released horror film, Compound Fracture, that stars three of that genre’s most iconic characters, Watson (Ben Willis in I Know What You Did Last Summer), Tyler Mane (Michael Myers in Rob Zombie’s Halloween), Derek Mears (Jason Vorhees in Friday the 13th).

Transitioning to the small screen, Watson delivered stellar performances in several made-for-television movies including Blind Vengeance and Justice in a Small Town; and the television series, American Gothic, The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles, Matlock, The Lazarus Man, JAG, Walker Texas Ranger, Ghost Whisperer, CSI, and The Mentalist. Going on to land his most notorious TV roles as “Mike Franks” in the award winning drama NCIS and Charles Westmoreland in the Emmy & Golden Globes nominated & People’s Choice Awards – winner Prison Break. www.MuseWatson.com

About the Starlite Theatre: The 880-seat Starlite Theatre is conveniently located on Highway 76 near the Titanic and features Branson’s only five-story glass atrium with 19,560 feet of glass. Inside, Starlite’s state-of-the-art stage is the perfect venue for some of Branson’s most popular and interactive shows. For ticket information call the Starlite Theater at 866-991-1982 or visit www.StarliteTheatre.com

Branson, MO – October 9, 2012 – Thirty student leaders from across Stone and Taney Counties convened last week at Silver Dollar City for the second session of the new Legacy Youth Institute (LYI), a leadership and mentoring program designed to equip young leaders to pass on the area’s “Ozark Mountain Spirit” to future generations.

Each of the Legacy Youth Institute’s six sessions explores a different core value of Ozark Mountain Country—Faith, Family, Friends, Flag, and ensuring a preferred Future. In last week’s session, the focus was on Family. Jim Brawner, President of Team Barnabas, equipped students with tools to build their own healthy family relationships. Sue Head, Dean of Character Education at College of the Ozarks, challenged students to consider their current and future roles in shaping a culture of character in Ozark Mountain Country.

“I never realized until now that you could create your own culture,” said Galena High School student Parris Mayhood. “I always thought you just had to deal with what you had.” Encouraging students to believe in the power of their own influence in the community is one of the primary goals of the Legacy Youth Institute.

Students also heard from Silver Dollar City’s co-founder, Peter Herschend, whose story is characterized by a passion for and commitment to promoting a family-friendly culture of entertainment in Ozark Mountain Country. Over the years, Herschend has preserved the family-friendly culture of the area even as his company’s entertainment offerings have expanded. He has also actively encouraged others to commit to do the same. Today, hundreds of area businesses and organizations consistently provide a family-friendly experience for both local residents and the millions of tourists who visit the area each year.

“The legacy of the Herschend family, and other passionate community leaders, reflects an Ozark Mountain Country that works together to intentionally preserve the family-friendly values of our area,” said Jory Rolf, Executive Director of Ozark Mountain Legacy. “We hope that LYI students will realize that as future leaders of the community, they can choose to continue to preserve and influence our family-friendly culture.”

Legacy Youth Institute students were greatly encouraged by what they heard. “It’s cool how regular people can do really great things,” said Hurley High School student Jacob Ray. Fellow student Alie Lawrence said, “I’ve liked hearing about how people are so interested in the community. It makes me want to be the same way.” And, like so many students’ impressions of their experiences with LYI so far, Lawrence concludes, “Being a part of the Legacy Youth Institute has made me feel honored to be a part of this community.”

The next session of the Legacy Youth Institute, which will focus on the area’s commitment to “Champion Friends,” will be held on Wednesday, November 7. For more information about the Legacy Youth Institute, please contact Ozark Mountain Legacy at (417) 598-1314, or visit www.ozarkmountainlegacy.org.