Johnny Lee in Concert at Gene Williams Theatre

“Lookin’ for Love” Johnny Lee with his Urban Cowboy Band opened Sept. 2 at 8 p.m. at the new Gene Williams Showcase Theatre inside the Branson Mall on the world famous Highway 76. Tickets are only $15 a person.

With that opening Lee made Branson entertainment history – it is the first time he has had his own show in the live entertainment capital although he has guest starred in other Branson shows. Lee and his Urban Cowboy Band will perform Monday-Saturday at 8 p.m. through December. Tickets are on sale now at the theatre’s box office. Call 417-335-4400.

From having his own band in high school to participating in the film that is said to have started the 1980’s boom in country music, Lee is a member of the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame. After high school, he took time out to serve his country in the Navy, then worked with his friend Mickey Gilley and appeared in several television roles. It was then that he was asked to perform in the film, “Urban Cowboy.”

His “Lookin’ For Love” from that film and soundtrack, which went platinum, spent three weeks at the top of the Billboard country music singles charts as #1 and #2 on the pop music singles charts. He followed that with a string of Top 10 hits and numerous television appearances such as “Fantasy Island,” “ChiPS,” “The Fall Guy” and “The A-Team.”

He has recorded several albums and is at work now on a completely new CD, yet untitled, on which he will have a duet with Crystal Gayle.

He recently took part in Frizzell and Friends, in which many of David Frizzell’s friends including Merle Haggard, T. Graham Brown, Helen Cornelius, Johnny Rodriguez, Jeanne Seely, Lacy J. Dalton and Gene Watson gathered in the studio in Nashville for “This Is Our Time.” The get together will air next week on RFD-TV.

In late August Lee continued with his many appearances on the Grand Ole Opry where host Trace Adkins introduced him as “one of my heroes.” Lee sang his hits “Lookin’ for Love” and “Cherokee Fiddle.”

His other hits include “One In A Million,” “Bet Your Heart On Me,” “The Yellow Rose (a duet with Lane Brody),” “You Could’ve Heard a Heart Break,” “Pickin’ Up Strangers,” “Prisoner of Hope,” “Be There for Me Baby,” “Sounds Like Love,” “Hey Bartender” and “Rollin’ Lonely.”

Lee continues his busy touring schedule and a few dates during his September through December run at the Gene Williams Showcase Theatre are booked on the road. For Lee who is an avid golfer many of those dates include benefit golf tournaments. Recently Lee participated in the 2008 Hootie & the Blowfish Monday after the Masters Celebrity Pro-Am Golf Tournament in Hilton Head, S.C. Funds were raised for the Hootie & The Blowfish Foundation which supports the South Carolina Junior Golf Foundation and the educational needs of children in South Carolina. Lee also recently helped raise funds for the Lions Club in Gallup, N.M.

This fall Lee will participate in Houston’s Project Joy and Hope with a concert and the eighth annual Johnny Lee’s Country Swinging Golf Classic. Project Joy and Hope has as its mission to serve children with life-limiting illnesses and their families.

In between working on his new CD, golfing and touring, Lee has been busy promoting and rehearsing for his three month run at the Gene Williams Showcase Theatre.

About the amazing $15 ticket, Lee said, “This price for my concert is for my fans. I set a recession proof price. In spite of rising prices and no matter what the price of fuel, I am sticking with a $15 ticket for anyone who wants to see my Branson show.”