Kemp Horn of the CIRCLE B SUPPER SHOW, Branson, Missouri is proud to announce that the RIDERS OF THE CIRCLE B will be headlining at the GENE AUTRY FILM & MUSIC FESTIVAL, in Gene Autry, Oklahoma. This festival is held each year on the weekend closest to Gene Autry’s birthday, September 29th and is a celebration of the legacy of the singing cowboy’s films and music.

This annual gathering brings in cowboy singers, cowboy poets, storytellers, western film stars and look-alikes and tens of thousands of visitors from around the country, who love cowboy movies, music, and fun. Activities include: Western Music Shows, Vintage Film Festivals, Cowboy Poetry Presentations, Screening of Contemporary Western Films, Workshops, a Birthday Party for Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and a host of other related activities.

The activities this year are scheduled for September 23, 24, 25, 26, and 27.
On Sunday the 27th, the week’s activities will come to a climactic close with a very special Cowboy Church service, featuring the music of Branson’s own CIRCLE B SUPPER SHOW, performing some of their cowboy gospel favorites.

Michael Horn says, “it is an honor for us to be asked to appear at this unique and historic event. We are especially pleased to represent the heart of Branson by being the special music at the Cowboy Church Service, which is the high point of the week and closing event”.

The RIDERS OF THE CIRCLE B perform cowboy music and comedy stage shows all year long at the CIRCLE B SUPPER SHOW in Branson, Missouri, the “Live Music Show Capitol of the World.” The RIDERS feature the talents of Kemp, Michael and Christiana Horn, as well as Louis Darby, John Fullerton, and Earl Vaughan.

For more information about the festival, visit www.geneautrymuseum.com.
For information about Branson’s Circle B Supper Show visit www.CircleBShow.com or call 800-678-6179.

Cirque Imagination Brings its National Tour to Branson

Cirque Imagination’s “Montage,” comprised of world-class former Cirque du Soleil performers, is bringing its act to Missouri. Following performances in Los Angeles, Dallas and Atlanta, the show’s next stop on its national tour will be at Branson’s Tri-Lakes Center.

“Montage” acts include hand-balancing, contortion, pole climbing, and aerial artists climbing chiffon straps- all choreographed to music. The audience will also have the chance to meet, take photos and get autographs from the “Montage” star performers.

The talents featured in “Montage”- called “mind-boggling” by the LA Times- provide entertainment for audiences of all ages, at family-affordable pricing.

“We created the company because we saw the need,” said Judy Blake. “In these unprecedented economic times, we want to provide truly amazing entertainment without the extravagant cost.”

Prices range from $15 to $34, with passes for families of four available for $99 plus tax. Tickets will be limited and in high demand, due to the limited number of performances scheduled for September 13-19, and November 29-December 5. For ticket information and show times, call the Tri-Lakes Center’s Box Office at 417.336.0219, or visit www.trilakescenter.com.

For photos and additional information about “Montage,” visit www.cirquemontage.com, or contact Judy Blake, Director of Business Development.

Judy Blake
Cirque Imagination
Director of Business Development
832-754-6700
jblake@cirqueimagination.com

Press Release
For Immediate Distribution
July 8, 2009
Contact: Michael Horn
417-336-1828
CrossTies FINDS NEW HOME AT CIRCLE B
CrossTies, a vary talented and entertaining bluegrass and gospel group, has moved to the Circle B Theater in Branson, MO. Bluegrass shows, with a touch of gospel, are performed at 8 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. A free all-gospel show, “Country Cathedral” is held every Sunday Morning at 11 a.m.
The combination of CrossTies’ superlative instrumental talent, combined with their “pure and refreshing” award-winning voices, results in a unique bluegrass show that is fun for the whole family.
The Circle B Theatre is also home to the long-running cowboy music and comedy of the Circle B Supper Show. A two-show combination ticket allows visitors the option of seeing both shows, including a delicious dinner starting at 5 p.m.
CrossTies is made up of the Glaspy family and several fabulous local Branson musicians.
Jim Glaspy has toured the country and played in Nashville sessions with national recording artists including the Dilliards, Mac Wiseman, The Cox Family, Albert Lee, Gov. Jimmy Davis and Chubby Wise. Jim has won the national Dobro championship and the Texas state guitar flat-picking title twice! He is such a gifted instrumentalist that he is endorsed by many national music companies including Gibson Guitars, Stelling Banjos, Fuller’s Vintage Guitars, and even a beverage maker, Dr Pepper!
Jim and his wife, Karina, began performing their own family show in 2006. They are joined by daughter Katey, who plays bass and, according to many audience members, “sings like an angel.”
Well-known local fiddler, Louis Darby (two-time Louisiana State Fiddle champ, and Canadian Open Fiddle champ) and multi-instrumentalist John Fullerton (“Branson’s Singing Cowboy”) join CrossTies to the delight of everyone seeing the show.
For anyone that wants to see “Bluegrass at its Best!” – make sure to see CrossTies!
For more information, please call 1-800-678-6179 or visit www.bransoncrossties.com.

On October 24 – 27, 2010, the Chuckwagons of the West Jamboree will be at Circle B in Branson, Missouri. Top national cowboy music and comedy acts plus special guests will be entertaining at anticipated sold-out shows.
The Horn Family brought Circle B’s brand of cowboy music and chuckwagon-style vittles to Branson 6 years ago, but Circle B has been around for long before that. Circle B Ranch in the Black Hills of South Dakota was founded in 1976. The founders made it a priority to be members of the Chuckwagon Association of the West. Christiana Horn says, “when we took over Circle B, a big part of our identity came from the Chuckwagons of the West. They wrangled us into the group we’ve become.”
The Chuckwagons of the West began over 50 years ago, when Russ Wolfe and several close friends started inviting tourists to their evening cattle roundups and serving them food at the Flying W in Colorado Springs. Invevitably, someone would pull out a guitar and sing old cowboy songs for the guests. Since then, there have been many “chuckwagon” style groups to spring up around the country. A small core of folks loyal to the original cattle drive spirit and the Association’s goal “to provide the highest level of quality and value in family entertainment and food” is still affiliated with the Flying W through the Chuckwagons of the West. http://www.flyingw.com/ChuckwagonsAssociation.aspx
Each year, the Chuckwagons of the West meet for a “jamboree”—a thank-you to loyal fans, and a time to swap stories and advice with other members. The Jamboree is held at a different Chuckwagon each year. October of 2010 will mark the first time it has been held in Branson.

In addition to some of the finest cowboy music and comedy acts in the world performing at Circle B in Branson, there are several surprises in the works. “Branson has a lot of good, cowboy entertainment, so we’ve reached out to some of our cowboy friends. We are blessed to have friends like Dusty Rogers agree to be a part of the event, as well as Johnny Lonestar.” says Kemp Horn
In addition to Circle B in Branson, the other members of the Chuckwagons of the West are: the Bar –J in Jackson, Wyoming, the Bar –D in Durango, Colorado, the Circle B in Rapid City, South Dakota (now operated by Horn relatives, the Lawson Family), the Flying J in Riudoso, New Mexico, and of course, the Flying W in Colorado Springs, Colorado. All are expected to appear at the 2010 Jamboree. “When we get together for a jamboree, it makes me lightheaded to be sharing a stage with so many cowboy music heroes!” says Circle B mandolinist John Fullerton.
For more information, please visit www. CircleBshow.com, or call 1-800-678-6179.

Emmy Award-winning Comedian Bob Nelson brings the gift of laughter on this week’s broadcast of the New Best of Gene Williams Country Music Television Show.
“From Radio City Music Hall, Las Vegas, The Ford Theater, Carnegie Hall, Broadway, ‘The Merv Griffin Show,’ ‘The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson,’ HBO and movies ‘Kindergarten Cop,’ ‘This is My Life’ and ‘Brain Donors’ to his own Branson show, Bob Nelson is hilarious,” said Gene Williams, the star and creator of the Telly Award-winning show that was taped live at the 50’s at the Hop Theatre at the Shoppes at Branson.

The TV show with Nelson will be telecast June 13 and 14. For more information go to the website genewilliamscountry.com.

Williams has been taking a break from the hectic schedule he has had for eight years in Branson. A hiatus from regular taping has been recommended, but he plans to return to the studio soon to tape special shows. He and his co-host, Katie Lynn, recently returned to the studio to tape updates for The New Best of the Gene Williams Country Music TV Show that includes a weekly guitar giveaway courtesy of All Star Music of Jonesboro and Batesville, Ark., and Poplar Bluff, Mo.

The New Best of Gene Williams Country Music TV Show returns with The “Cajun” Wade Benson Landry on this week’s telecast of the weekly television show based in Branson, Mo., and seen across the country.

Gene Williams, the star and creator of the Telly Award-winning show that was taped live at the 50’s at the Hop Theatre at the Shoppes at Branson Meadows, said, “Wade is the ultimate entertainer and one of the best. He has performed with some of Country music’s giants, such as Jimmy C. Newman, Loretta Lynn, The Oak Ridge Boys, Dolly Parton, Porter Wagoner, George Jones and Tammy Wynette and Mel Tillis and appeared regularly on television shows such as PBS Live from the Grand Ole Opry, the 1980 CMA Awards Show, the Anheuser-Busch Special Reach for the Stars with Bob Hope, NBC’s Tonight Show, Nashville Now and the Academy of Country Music Awards Show. In Branson he is the headliner for the only Cajun Swing show.”

The TV show with Landry will be telecast May 23 and 24. (EDITOR’S CHECK LISTINGS BELOW). For more information go to the website genewilliamscountry.com.
Williams was recently released from the hospital and has been taking a break from the hectic schedule he has had for eight years in Branson. A hiatus from regular taping has been recommended. He and Katie Lynn recently returned to the studio to tape updates for The New Best of the Gene Williams Country Music TV Show that will include a weekly guitar giveaway courtesy of All Star Music of Jonesboro and Batesville, Ark., and Poplar Bluff, Mo.

The show is aired in Springfield, Branson, Little Rock, Jonesboro, Ark., Nashville, St. Louis, Decatur, Ill., Ada and Ardmore, Okla., Sherman/Denison, Texas, plus on all the stations of the Retro Television Network including 11 of the top 30 markets in the nation.

Show Telecast Schedule - Location Call Letters Network Day Time

Ada, OK KTEN NBC Sunday 11 p.m. CT
Albany, NY WTEN RTN Sunday 9:30 a.m ET
Alexandria, LA KWCE RTN Sunday 6:30 a.m. CT
Altoona, PA WJAC RTN Sunday 7:30 a.m. ET
Ames, IA WOI RTN Sunday 5 p.m. CT
Appleton, WI WBAY RTN Sunday 9:30 a.m. CT
Atlanta, GA WSB RTN Saturday 6:30 a.m. ET
Augusta, GA WJBF RTN Sunday 7:30 a.m. ET
Austin, TX KEYE RTN Sunday 1:30 a.m CT
Baton Rouge, LA KZUP RTN Sunday 6:30 a.m. CT
Bellevue, WA KIRO RTN Saturday 6:30 a.m. PT
Bettendorf, IA WHBF RTN Sunday 5 p.m. CT
Branson, MO KCZ CW Sat., Sun. 6:30 a.m. CT
Branson, MO KWBM MY Sunday 10:30 p.m. CT
Bremerton, WA KIRO RTN Saturday 6:30 a.m. PT
Bristol County, MA WJAR RTN Sunday 7:30 a.m. ET
Bristol, TN WKPT RTN Sunday 5 p.m. ET
Bristol, VA WKPT RTN Sunday 5 p.m. ET
Brownsville, TX KRGV RTN Sunday 6:30 a.m. CT
Bullhead City, AZ KAZT RTN Sunday 8:30 a.m. MT
Carrborro WRAZ RTN Sunday 9:30 a.m. ET
Cary, NC WRAZ RTN Sunday 9:30 a.m. ET
Casa Grande, AZ KAZT RTN Sunday 8:30 a.m. MT
Cashmere, WA KIRO RTN Saturday 6:30 a.m. PT
Cedar Rapids, IA KWWL RTN Saturday 6:30 a.m. CT
Central FL WRDQ RTN Sunday 9:30 a.m ET
Centralia, WA KIRO RTN Saturday 6:30 a.m. PT
Chapel Hill, NC WRAZ RTN Sunday 9:30 a.m. ET
Chattanooga, TN WRCB RTN Saturday 10 a.m ET
Clayton, NC WRAZ RTN Sunday 9:30 a.m. ET
Coshocton, PA WTOV RTN Sunday 7:30 a.m. ET
Davenport, IA WHBF RTN Sunday 5 p.m. CT
Decatur, IL WPXS Ind. Sunday 9:30 p.m. CT
Dennison, TX KTEN NBC Sunday 11 p.m. CT
Des Moines, IA WOI RTN Sunday 5 p.m. CT
Detroit, MI WXYZ RTN Sunday 5:30 a.m. ET
Dubuque, IA KWWL RTN Saturday 6:30 a.m. CT
Durham, NC WRAZ RTN Sunday 9:30 a.m. ET
Edmonds, WA KIRO RTN Saturday 6:30 a.m. PT
El Paso, TX KFOX RTN Sunday 6:30 a.m. CT
Essex Co., Ontario WNWO RTN Sunday 9:30 a.m. ET
Evansville, IN WEHT RTN Sunday 9:30 a.m. CT
Everett, WA KIRO RTN Saturday 6:30 a.m. PT
Fayetteville, AR KFDF THIS Sunday 9:30 a.m. CT
Fayetteville, NC WRAZ RTN Sunday 9:30 a.m. ET
Flagstaff, AZ KAZT RTN Sunday 8:30 a.m. MT
Fox Cities, WI WBAY RTN Sunday 9:30 a.m. CT
Fresno, CA KAIL RTN Sunday 9:30 a.m. PT
Garner, NC WRAZ RTN Sunday 9:30 a.m. ET
Green Bay, WI WBAY RTN Sunday 9:30 a.m. CT
Greensburg, PA WTOV RTN Sunday 7:30 a.m. ET
Harrisburg, IL WPXS Ind. Sunday 9:30 p.m. CT
Harrisburg, PA WHTM RTN Sunday 9:30 a.m. ET
Harrison, AR KWBM MY Sunday 10:30 p.m. CT
Henderson, KY WEHT RTN Sunday 9:30 a.m. CT
Huntsville, AL WHNT RTN Sunday 6:30 a.m. CT
Hutchinson, KS KGPT RTN Sunday 6:30 a.m. CT
Issaquah, WA KIRO RTN Saturday 6:30 a.m. PT
Jackson, MS WJTV RTN Sunday 6:30 a.m. CT
Johnson City, TN WKPT RTN Sunday 5 p.m. ET
Johnstown, PA WJAC RTN Sunday 7:30 a.m. ET
Jonesboro, AR KAIT ABC Saturday 5 p.m. CT
Kaukauna, WI WBAY RTN Sunday 9:30 a.m. CT
Kingman, AZ KAZT RTN Sunday 8:30 a.m. MT
Kingsport, TN WKPT RTN Sunday 5 p.m. ET
Knoxville, TN WMAK RTN Saturday 10 a.m ET
Lafayette, LA KDCG RTN Sunday 1 a.m. CT
Lake Havasu City, AZ KAZT RTN Sunday 8:30 a.m. MT
Las Vegas, NV KEGS Ind. Sunday 9:30 a.m. PT
Leavenworth, WA KIRO RTN Saturday 6:30 a.m. PT
Lincoln, NE KLKN RTN Sunday 5 p.m. CT
Little Rock, AR KARK NBC Saturday 6 a.m. CT
Lynchburg, VA WSET RTN Saturday 6:30 a.m. ET
Macon, GA WSB RTN Saturday 6:30 a.m. ET
Madison, WI WKOW RTN Sunday 6:30 a.m. CT
McAllen, TX KRGV RTN Sunday 6:30 a.m. CT
Memphis, TN WLMT RTN/ABC Sunday 6:30 a.m. CT
Menasha, WI WBAY RTN Sunday 9:30 a.m. CT
Meridian, MS WGBC RTN Sunday 6:30 a.m. CT
Mobile, AL WKRG RTN Sunday 9:30 a.m. CT
Moline, IL WHBF RTN Sunday 5 p.m. CT
Montgomery, AL WSFA RTN Sunday 9:30 a.m. CT
Myrtle Beach, SC WBTW RTN Sunday 7:30 a.m. ET
Nashville, TN WNAB CW Saturday Midnight CT
NE WI WBAY RTN Sunday 9:30 a.m. CT
Neah Bay, WA KIRO RTN Saturday 6:30 a.m. PT
Neenah, WI WBAY RTN Sunday 9:30 a.m. CT
Northwest AR KFDF THIS Sunday 9:30 a.m. CT
NW Ohio WNWO RTN Sunday 9:30 a.m. ET
NW Ohio WXYZ RTN Sunday 5:30 a.m. ET
Olympia, WA KIRO RTN Saturday 6:30 a.m. PT
Opelousas, LA KDCG RTN Sunday 1 a.m. CT
Orlando, FL WRDQ RTN Sunday 9:30 a.m ET
Palm Springs, CA KRET RTN Sunday 1 a.m. PT
Pensacola, FL WKRG RTN Sunday 9:30 a.m. CT
Phoenix, AZ KAZT RTN Sunday 8:30 a.m. MT
Pittsburgh, PA WPXI RTN Sunday 2 a.m. ET
Point Pulley, WA KIRO RTN Saturday 6:30 a.m. PT
Port Angeles, WA KIRO RTN Saturday 6:30 a.m. PT
Prescott, AZ KAZT RTN Sunday 8:30 a.m. MT
Puyallup, WA KIRO RTN Saturday 6:30 a.m. PT
Quad Cities, IL WHBF RTN Sunday 5 p.m. CT
Raleigh, NC WRAZ RTN Sunday 9:30 a.m. ET
Rapid City, SD KOTA RTN Sunday 7:30 a.m. ET
Rehoboth Beach, DE WRDE RTN Sunday 7:30 a.m. ET
Reno, NV KRXI RTN Sunday 9:30 a.m. PT
Renton, WA KIRO RTN Saturday 6:30 a.m. PT
Rhode Island WJAR RTN Sunday 7:30 a.m. ET
Ringgold, TN WRCB RTN Saturday 10 a.m ET
Rio Grande Valley KRGV RTN Sunday 6:30 a.m. CT
Roanoke, VA WSET RTN Saturday 6:30 a.m. ET
Rock Island, IL WHBF RTN Sunday 5 p.m. CT
Rosslyn, Arlington, VA WJLA RTN Saturday 6:30 a.m. ET
Rowley, IA KWWL RTN Saturday 6:30 a.m. CT
S SC WSAV RTN Sunday 7:30 a.m. ET
S. Padre Island KRGV RTN Sunday 6:30 a.m. CT
San Luis Obispo, CA KEYT RTN Sunday 4:30 a.m. PT
Santa Barbara, CA KEYT RTN Sunday 4:30 a.m. PT
Santa Maria, CA KEYT RTN Sunday 4:30 a.m. PT
Savannah, GA WSAV RTN Sunday 7:30 a.m. ET
Schenectady, NY WTEN RTN Sunday 9:30 a.m ET
Scottsdale, AZ KAZT RTN Sunday 8:30 a.m. MT
SE GA WSAV RTN Sunday 7:30 a.m. ET
SE MI WXYZ RTN Sunday 5:30 a.m. ET
SE Michigan WNWO RTN Sunday 9:30 a.m. ET
Seattle, WA KIRO RTN Saturday 6:30 a.m. PT
Sevierville, TN WMAK RTN Saturday 10 a.m. ET
Sharon, PA WTOV RTN Sunday 7:30 a.m. ET
Shelton, WA KIRO RTN Saturday 6:30 a.m. PT
Sherman, TX KTEN NBC Sunday 11 p.m. CT
Shreveport, LA KSHV RTN Sunday 6:30 a.m. CT
S IL WPXS Ind. Sunday 9:30 p.m. CT
Sistersville, WV WTOV RTN Sunday 7:30 a.m. ET
Smithfield, NC WRAZ RTN Sunday 9:30 a.m. ET
Springfield, MO KCZ CW Sat., Sun. 6:30 a.m CT
Springfield, MO KWBM MY Sunday 10:30 p.m. CT
St. Louis WPXS Ind. Sunday 9:30 p.m. CT
State College, PA WJAC RTN Sunday 7:30 a.m. ET
Stubenville, OH WTOV RTN Sunday 7:30 a.m. ET
Susquehanna Valley, PA WHTM RTN Sunday 9:30 a.m. ET
SW Ontario WXYZ RTN Sunday 5:30 a.m. ET
Tacoma, WA KIRO RTN Saturday 6:30 a.m. PT
Toledo, Ohio WNWO RTN Sunday 9:30 a.m. ET
Toledo, Ohio WXYZ RTN Sunday 5:30 a.m. ET
Tri-Cities WKPT RTN Sunday 5 p.m. ET
Troy, NY WTEN RTN Sunday 9:30 a.m ET
Tulsa, OK KTUL RTN Saturday 6:30 a.m. CT
Washington, DC WJLA RTN Saturday 6:30 a.m. ET
Waterloo, IA KWWL RTN Saturday 6:30 a.m. CT
Wheeling, W.V WTOV RTN Sunday 7:30 a.m. ET
Wichita, KS KGPT RTN Sunday 6:30 a.m. CT
Wilkes-Barre, PA WHTM RTN Sunday 9:30 a.m. ET
Windsor, Ontario WNWO RTN Sunday 9:30 a.m. ET
Windsor, Ontario WXYZ RTN Sunday 5:30 a.m. ET
Also seen on WBAY/RTN in Wisconsin, The Fox Cities communities including Town of Buchanan, Town of Clayton, Town of Freedom, Town of Grand Chute, Town of Greenville, Town of Harrison, Village of Combined Locks, Village of Hortonville, Village of Kimberly, Village of Little Chute, and the Village of Sherwood. Sundays at 9:30 a.m. CT Sundays

BRANSON’S ‘COUNTRY TONITE’ STARS RETURN FROM IRAQ
WITH A WHOLE NEW PERSPECTIVE ON WAR AND SACRIFICE

The Oak Ridge Boys Theatre in Branson, MO is hosting the “Welcome Back From Iraq” press conference on Tuesday, May 5th at 5:30pm in the theatre’s lobby. Join the “Country Tonite” cast to relive their life changing experiences on their humanitarian trip to the front lines in Iraq. This short presentation will include never seen before footage and interviews of soldiers preparing for deployment in the Middle East. Food and opportunities for interviews will follow. Press is invited to see the Country Tonite show with Collin Raye at 8pm after the press conference.
Marty Wilhite thought he knew something about what soldiers experience when they’re called into duty and find themselves on foreign soil battling to protect freedoms in this world. “I pictured myself in their boots,” he said. “In fact every one of our shows ends with a segment dedicated to American veterans.”
Now, those dedications during the “Country Tonite” performances at The Oak Ridge Boys Theatre in Branson, MO have new and even deeper meaning for musical director Wilhite, his singer-dancer wife Kenya, and the dozens of other entertainers and dignitaries that accompanied them on their recent trip into hotbed centers of conflict in the Persian Gulf.
Unable to hold back tears when he speaks about the experience, Wilhite confesses he was naïve about the depth of commitment and sacrifice lived out by the American troops he met. “Some of them are just kids in their early 20s. Some are a little older and have come back usually by their own choice to serve their second and third, even fourth tour of duty in Iraq. They say things like, ‘I don’t want to leave my guys over here,’ and ‘We’ve got a job to do.’ Some have sick kids back in the States. Some have seen their marriages fall apart while they’ve been deployed. But through it all, they sacrifice everything they have to fulfill their commitment.”
Several stirring experiences during their goodwill mission resulted in transformed thinking for Marty and Kenya and their colleagues. “I’ve always supported the military,” Wilhite said, “but now I have a whole new perspective on the role of the military in a free society.” In fact, Wilhite claims little patience for individuals who talk down the U.S. military involvement in Iraq. “They’re not even qualified for the conversation. I would challenge anyone to experience what I did during those nine days over there, and see if their hearts and minds aren’t changed, too.”
Wilhite reports that as the cast and crew were setting up for one of their performances in Baghdad, some soldiers walked by and peered in with interest. Sadly, they weren’t going to be able to stay for the show since they were being deployed immediately to the front lines of battle in Afghanistan. “We just told them that there was a whole lot of people back home praying for them, and that we really appreciated what they were doing. They need to hear our thanks.”
On another occasion the show ran until about 10:30 one evening, but the cast stayed until nearly 1:30 the next morning greeting soldiers and signing autographs. “I think they were surprised that we were willing to stay that long,” Wilhite says of that night when the performers got very little sleep. “But we would have stayed longer, as long as there were folks who wanted to meet us.”
Wilhite exchanged contact information with many of the soldiers and told them that if they or their families were ever close to Branson, they’d be assured free admission to any of the shows at The Mansion. “When I got back to the States and checked my messages, so many were from the military personnel we met. They weren’t asking for any favors. They were calling to thank us for our being there to entertain them.”
Throughout the tour the mostly Branson-based ensemble, that not only included the “Country Tonite” cast, but also Tony Orlando and his band and several dignitaries, were escorted by highly trained security specialists and a number of high-ranking officers. “They were with us ‘24/7’, no small comfort when you hear those bombs going off around you.”
Wilhite and others were taken behind the scenes of the war and even witnessed a top-secret, technically sophisticated command center where the military operations are carefully observed and where sensitive and classified intelligence is gathered. “As we walked by each position to talk with those specialists, they would shut off their monitors and turn their laminated credentials face-down. That’s just how secure the operation is.”
It was the contact with the rank-and-file, boots-on-the-ground soldiers, however, that touched the hearts of the entertainers most deeply. At one location they were able to read letters from children in the U.S. expressing their thanks for the military effort. And once, when it appeared that the enlistees were giving the performers too much credit for their willingness to come to the Persian Gulf for their visit, Kenya Wilhite spontaneously broke out in an a cappella rendition of “Wind Beneath My Wings,” the pop ballad with the poignant chorus lyric, “Did you ever know that you’re my hero?”
“There’s something about seeing a big ol’ Marine with tears streaming down his face that really gets to you,” Marty Wilhite remembers. “It was an awesome moment, one of many. These guys deserve our deepest gratitude and a pat on the back from all of us.”

For more information,
please contact Rachel Cantrell,
818-679-6134

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Haygood Brother Recovering from Emergency Surgery

Branson, Mo (4/29/09) Dominic Haygood, from the high energy show The Haygoods, was hurried to the hospital at 4 a.m. this morning with appendicitis. Emergency surgery was performed successfully. He is now resting comfortably at home.

Dominic and the rest of the family appreciate the outpouring of love and concern.

The Haygood shows will continue as scheduled at the newly remodeled Americana Theatre.

Area Appreciation Shows -  Duttons May 1 & Island Fire May 2

Dutton Show

Friday May 1, 2009, 8pm
Admission: Non-perishable Food Donation to CAM (Christian Action Ministries)
For Stone and Taney Counties. One ticket per resident of Stone or Taney County. Verification of residency in Stone or Taney County is required. Tickets not picked up by 7pm the night of the show will be sold to someone else. Call 417-332-2772 today!

Island Fire

Saturday May 2, 2009, 8pm
Admission: Non-perishable Food Donation to CAM (Christian Action Ministries)
(The Island Fire Polynesian Meal is available for an additional $10 per person.)
For Stone and Taney Counties. One ticket per resident of Stone or Taney County. Verification of residency in Stone or Taney County is required. Tickets not picked up by 7pm the night of the show will be sold to someone else. Call 417-332-2772 today!

Righteous Brother Bill MedleyAnd Paul Revere and The Raiders

Andy Williams Moon River Theatre

Area appreciation shows April 21-30 for those who work or live in counties of Stone, Taney, Greene, Christian, Barry, Ozark, Boone or Carroll. Tickets for Righteous Brother Bill Medley and Paul Revere and the Raiders are $10 each (7 p.m. show).

Walk ups only the day of the show. No phone calls please.

Before or after the show, visit Moon River Grill for dinner, dessert and refreshments. For dinner reservations 417-337-9539