The Roy Rogers-Dale Evans Happy Trails Theater and Attraction will celebrate the National Day of The American Cowboy this Saturday July 26. Festivities include a special appearance by the Riders of the Circle B, two shows by Roy Rogers Jr. and The High Riders with Dustin Roy Rogers, and a free coloring contest for kids. In addition, Roy Rogers Jr. and The High Riders will take to the stage at the Circle B Chuckwagon during their show that evening (seating begins at 4:15 for the 5:00 pm Dinner Show).

All participants in the kids’ coloring contest will receive a free coloring book and a ruler. Winners of the coloring contest in each age category will receive special gift baskets delivered to their homes.

The fourth Saturday in July has been designated as the National Day of the American Cowboy, with a Resolution passed by the U.S. Senate. The day celebrates America’s cowboy and Western heritage, and honors working cowboys and ranchers, musicians and artists, poets and others who contribute to cowboy and Western culture.

Said Roy Rogers Jr., “Dad exemplified the spirit of the American Cowboy, and we are proud to celebrate that proud tradition here in Branson. We continue his musical legacy with our live shows, which feature cowboy music exclusively.”

For more information call 417.339.1900 or 866.ROYROGERS (769.7643).

Get ready for the Ulster Band, a group of Canadians who trace their heritage and musical roots back to Ireland and WWI. Whether it’s Irish, Scottish, light classical, pop or patriotic music, you’ll enjoy their performance!

The benefit concert will honor veterans and emergency personnel at Tri-Lakes Center at 7:00 pm on September 11. Area emergency personnel are free with proper identification. All others tickets are $15.00; couples $25.00. All proceeds benefit the Branson Veterans Task Force and their Veterans Week activities.

A special benefit dinner catered by Golden Corral at the Tri-Lakes Center is $5.00 per person. The first $500 of dinner revenue will go directly to the Task Force. Doors open at 4:00 with dinner served from 4:30 – 6:30. Theater doors open at 6:00.

For tickets call the Tri-Lakes Center at 417-336-0219 or email tickets@trilakescenter.com. For show information visit www.trilakescenter.com. A First Responder will be honored at the concert that evening.

The Band will join area firefighters and emergency personnel in the 8:00 am September 11 Remembrance under the mural on the back wall of the Grand Palace Theater.

They trace their roots to the 36th Ulster Division of the British Army in WWI. Children of these veterans migrated to Canada and formed the band to keep their Irish history and music alive. They are the official band of the 36th Ulster Division Old Comrades Association and Branch 11 of the Royal Canadian Legion, both in Toronto.

They have performed worldwide including celebrations at the Juno Beach Centre in Normandy, France; anniversary celebrations in France and Holland commemorating the Battle of the Somme; the 500th anniversary of the founding of Newfoundland; and Disney World in Florida.

Fifty members form three sections of the band: accordions, percussion and colour party. Most of the accordionists play the 23-button British Chromatic Accordion, frequently called the Irish accordion.

For more information, contact the Branson Veterans Task Force office. The Branson Veterans Task Force holds activities year-round to commemorate important events in our history and to honor our veterans. The BVTF office is located at 138 Pointe Royale Drive in Branson. To contact the office call 417.337.8387 (417.337.VETS) or visit www.bransonveterans.com.

Join the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation of the Ozarks at Panera Bread, at 2407 Green Mountain Drive in Branson on July 28th from 5:00 - 8:00 p.m. for fantastic food, fun and outstanding artwork to raise money for JDRF. Simply mention that you are there supporting JDRF and 10% of your purchase will be donated to the foundation.

There will be artwork on display by local artist such as Christina Schanda, Sam Hull, Cheryl Hardin and Jerri Loveland who will be donating 20% of resulting sales to JDRF.

JDRF is the leading charitable funder and advocate of type 1 (juvenile) diabetes research worldwide. The mission of JDRF is to find a cure for diabetes and its complications through the support of research.
For more information, contact Jessica Hickok at (417) 840-5125 or Jessica@usipp.net

(Branson, MO) – B.B. King, The King of Blues, is returning to Branson in October, 2008. Sullivan Shows and Welk Resort Branson jointly announced today that the most famous blues singer/guitarist in the world, B.B. King will perform one show only on Sunday, October 5, at 7:00 p.m. at the Welk Resort Theatre in Branson.
For more than half a century, B.B. King has defined the blues for a worldwide audience. The winner of 13 Grammy Awards and 22 W.C. Handy (Blues Foundation) Awards has released over 50 albums including four Gold albums, two Platinum albums and one Multi-Platinum album. His R&B Chart-topping hits include “Three O’Clock Blues,” “You Don’t Know Me,” “Please Love Me,” “You Upset Me Baby,” “Sweet Sixteen, Part I,” and “Don’t Answer The Door, Part I.” His most popular crossover hit, “The Thrill Is Gone,” reached #15 on the Top-40 Chart in 1970.

Tickets for the B.B. King concert in October go on sale Friday, July 18 and may be purchased at the Welk Resort Theatre Box Office, by phone at (417)-337-7469. Ticket prices including all taxes range from $69.50 (Gold Seating) to $59.50 (Silver) and $39.50 (Bronze).

Opening for B.B. King will be The Rankin Brothers. New to Branson, this duo began playing their Classic Music Revue show at the Welk Resort Theatre in March of this year and will present select musical numbers from their popular new show as the opening segment of the B.B. King concert.
B.B. mixes traditional blues, jazz, swing, mainstream pop and jump into his own unique sound. Over the years, he has developed one of the world’s most identifiable guitar styles featuring delicate single string runs punctuated by loud chords, subtle vibratos and “bent” notes. The technique of rock guitar playing is – to a large degree – derived from B.B.’s playing.

B.B. has been inducted into Halls of Fame (Blues Foundation, Rock & Roll, Performance Magazine and N.A.A.C.P. Image Awards); received numerous Lifetime Achievement Awards (Grammy Awards, Songwriters’ Hall of Fame, Orville H. Gibson/Gibson Guitar, Blues Foundation, MOBO Awards {London} and Congress of Racial Equality {CORE)}; and is featured on several Walks of Fame (Rock Walk, Amsterdam {Holland} Walk of Fame and Hollywood Walk of Fame). He has many film and TV appearances to his credit along with radio and TV commercials, soundtrack albums and even an MTV Video Music Award for “Best Video From a Film” in 1988/89. With his many honors, extensive tour schedule and recently released albums, B.B. King is more popular, more cherished and more relevant than ever to the audiences he entertains night-after-night, around the world.

The Welk Resort is located 3 miles south of Highway 76 on State Highway 165. The destination resort complex opened in 1994 and includes a 160-room hotel, the Stage Door Restaurant & Lounge, a miniature golf course, swimming pool, game room and other amenities. Welk Resort Branson recently added new, luxury lodges featuring custom stone gas fireplaces, full size appliances, sofa sleeper, flat screen HD TV, DVD player, Bose sound and wireless internet. The 2,245-seat theatre near Table Rock Lake has been home to The Lawrence Welk Show since 1994 and in 2008 is presenting The Rankin Brothers Classic Music Revue, The Tillis Family Reunion starring Mel Tillis and Pam Tillis in September and October and a spectacular Christmas show starring Tony Orlando and The Lennon Sisters in November and December.

As part of a benefit concert at 7:00 pm on September 11, 2008, the Branson Veterans Task Force will honor a Stone or Taney County police officer, firefighter or paramedic who has gone beyond the call of duty to demonstrate Courage, Heroism and Bravery in Service.

Nominations for the award are due by Friday, September 5, 2008. Anyone may nominate a candidate. For the nomination form and more information contact bvtf1@suddenlinkmail.com or 417-337-8387. Completed forms may be faxed to 417-334-7894 or mailed to:

BVTF
Attn: First Responder Nominations
PO BOX 128
Branson, MO 65616

Held at the Tri-Lakes Center, the concert proceeds will benefit the Branson Veterans Task Force in their programs for veterans, active military and emergency personnel who serve Americans in every community in the US.

All nominees and their guests are requested to attend the concert. During a special ceremony, the recipient will be announced and honored. The recipient need not be present if he or she is unable to attend.

The Branson Veterans Task Force holds activities year-round to commemorate important events in our history and to honor our veterans. The BVTF office is located at 138 Pointe Royale Drive in Branson. To contact the office call 417.337.8387 (417.337.VETS) or visit www.bransonveterans.com.

Beginning Saturday, August 2, 2008, and continuing on the 1st Saturday of each month, businesses and galleries in Downtown Branson will host an Art Stroll from 4pm until 9pm. Visit the participating stores, pick up a map and enjoy an evening stroll viewing the art of local and area artists. Participating stores will display a poster.

Star Search Winner Jake Simpson will be appearing with The Groove Dokterz (Andy Williams Band) Live at Andy Williams Moon River Grill on Friday July 18th and Saturday July 19th!

“Where the Stars Come Out At Night!”
Great Food, Great Music and Great Fun!

Come Join us for Food, Drinks and Live Entertainment!
Moon River Grill is located at:
2600 W. Hwy 76 Branson Missouri!
Call: 417-337-9539 for more information

Branson’s FIRST Internet Radio Network is celebrating it’s 10th season with the ‘BWR Welcome Wagon’. We’ll be webcasting from some of Branson’s most popular places and events to highlight why more than 8 MILLION PEOPLE visited Branson in 2007!

We’ll have some great Country music from the Classics through Today’s Hits, along with all of your favorite Branson stars, and gifts for eveyone who stops by! PLUS, some of Branson’s BEST entertainers just might come by to say hello!

Upcoming dates include:
July 19th - Imaginary Theatre with Justin Flom
August 2nd - Branson IMAX Entertainment Complex
August 9th - Gene Williams Theatre - Branson Mall
August 23rd - 20th Annual Branson Fiddle Festival
and select dates at Branson Landing.

Visit the BWR website at www.bransonworldradio.com, and listen to the webcast for Welcome Wagon dates and locations. Sponsorships for the above webcasts are available, and if you’d like to host a Welcome Wagon webcast, contact us at bwr@bransonworldradio.com

Young entertainers have been preparing since January across the Midwest and July 14-18 they will be competing for up to $7,600 in cash and prizes and the title of Performer of the Year at the American Kids Inc. 2008 National Finals at the Baldknobber’s Theater.

“Before American Idol, Star Search and America’s Got Talent, American Kids Inc. has been showcasing the nation’s talented young performers for 26 years,” said Dr. Dale Smith, founder of the non-profit group based in Branson known as the nation’s only little league of entertainers.

Some 213 acts and more than 100 kids will compete in the annual talent contest judged by an impressive slate of national and celebrity judges.

Competition begins at 9 a.m. Monday-Thursday with an awards ceremony on Friday morning. The event will culminate in the AllStar Show at 2 p.m. Friday, July 18, where 25 of the top acts will be showcased. One winner will be selected as Performer of the Year and win a $1,000 cash prize and a recording session from Rockabilly Recording Company of Branson. Tickets to the show are $10 and available at the door.

AllStar judges include Tyree Mc Lyn, casting producer for “America’s Got Talent,” Rickey Schultz, founder and president of Zebra Records, John Beasley, musician and producer who has worked with shows such as “American Idol,” “America’s Got Talent,” and “Singing Bee.”

Among the preliminary judges are Jason Pritchett, 2007 finalist “America’s Got Talent,” Barbara Fairchild, Grammy nominated singer and performer, and Louise Harrison, sister of Beatles George Harrison and developer of Liverpool Legends. More celebrity judges are Gary S. Paxton, Grammy winner, and Jason Yeager, 2008 American Idol finalist.

In addition, many American Kids national finalists will be showcased on various Branson stages throughout the week. Monday-Thursday, many will be featured on Center Stage at the Branson Mall. On Tuesday, some will be featured in a pre-show at the Hamner Barber Variety Show at 8 p.m. Wednesday-Friday finalists will present pre-shows at Justin Flom’s Imaginary Theatre at 7:20 p.m. On Thursday they will be in the pre-show at the Baldknobber’s Jamboree 8 p.m. show.

At the national competition, also recognized are member of the year for community service, college scholarship recipients and a penny drive for a children’s health charity is completed.

“We have many members performing in Branson, on Broadway and on tour, with Disney and in Nashville: Bryan White, Kristin Chenoweth and Blake Shelton are alumnus. Fame and fortune are not promised, but personal development is. We promise exposure, growth, character development and opportunity. Because of the experience gained from being on stage, our members are better prepared for whatever they choose to do in life,” said Smith.

For more information call the national office manager Brenda Hoffstatter at 1-800-377-8117 OR 417-337-8964 or go to the website at www.americankids.com.

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BRANSON, MO. — Six time Emmy award winner and Grammy nominee John Tesh will be in concert at the Branson Convention Center Friday, July 18, at 7 p.m.

Tickets are range from $25 to $80 and are available at Tesh.com, Ticketmaster in Springfield 877-BRANSON (272-6766), or www.Ticketmaster.com

For “An Evening With John Tesh” Tesh brings his all star cast of singers, choreographer and dancer Breeze Lee, an exciting and captivating dance troupe, and outstanding musicians. Adding to the multi-talented troupe of young dancers combining the beauty of hip hop, ballet, lyrical dance and movement is the powerful and uplifting original music of Tesh who has written, composed and arranged most of the shows orchestrations.

Executive Producers Tesh and Connie Sellecca produced this celebration of music and dance “to inspire kids and adults to find their passion.”

Now a successful daily radio talk show host as well as a national recording artist, Tesh has won six Emmys, two Grammy nominations, sold seven million albums, has three gold records and done six PBS specials.

“This is going to be a great event and an amazing evening of entertainment,” said Branson’s Midwest Concerts CEO and President Gary Bartlett.

Bartlett has set this concert to provide funds for Branson’s Christmas Assistance Program. “We are really proud to promote something that’s important to the good people of Branson, they take great pride in looking after the needs of children threatened by circumstance. These people are changing lives. In addition to being a great showman, John and his family have a personal passion for helping people in America and the world. We’re honored to have him here to make this night shine.”

The 10-year old Branson’s Christmas Assistance Program serves parents and children who have special needs especially during the holiday season. In addition to gifts, children are given backpacks, school supplies, two outfits, shoes, underwear, socks, jackets as well as dental and medical assistance for children in kindergarten through 12th grade. In some cases, fuel money, rent and utility assistance are provided. Although the program is called Christmas Assistance, the program is operated year-round and is supported in part by local sponsors that include Wal-Mart, VFW, The Rotary and individuals. Annually more than 500 children and more than 200 families are helped.

“We are looking forward to having John Tesh perform in Branson. It is truly wonderful that the evening will be benefiting the Christmas Assistance Program for children in the Branson School District,” said Ross Summers, President/ CEO, Branson/ Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce and Convention and Visitors Bureau.
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