The Gene Williams Country Television Show will now be included on the national feed for Retro Televison Nework (RTN) following an agreement reached with RTN’s executives in January. This increases the number of markets in which the weekly television show taped live in Branson, Mo., can be seen by more than two dozen and places the show in 11 of the top 30 markets in the nation.

Bringing the number of markets in which the show can been seen to more than 200 nationwide, the new markets include Atlanta, which is ranked eighth, and Washington, D.C., which is ranked ninth according to the latest Nielsen national market rankings.

This announcement follows a November announcement by Williams that seven RTN stations had been added to the list of stations broadcasting his Lucas Oil Products sponsored show.

RTN first went on the air in July of 2005 in Little Rock with Equity Broadcasting, a station that has supported Williams’ show since its beginning more than 40 years ago. RTN saw fast paced growth and commitment to quality. Luken Communications, headquartered in Chattanooga, Tenn., became the new owners in January. The Gene Williams Country Television Show was part of RTN’s main focus in 2008 of the new “Classic Hits All Day – Fresh Talk All Night” format. With the 2009 switch to digital television, RTN added many affiliates in 2007 and 2008. RTN airs classic television programming from the 1950s through the 1980s, and original programming, making Williams part of the line-up along with the likes of James Garner, Tom Selleck, Robert Wagner and Johnny Depp.

A winner of four National Telly Awards, the Gene Williams Show features celebrity guest stars such as Mickey Gilley, Ed McMahon, the Oak Ridge Boys and Roy Clark. Celebrities perform with Williams’ band, the Country Junction Band, and are interviewed up-close-and-personal by the legendary Williams and his co-host Katie Lynn.

“This is part of my pledge of adding new cities where viewers will become Branson fans and enjoy the show’s country music, our comedy and our great band. In the Country Junction Band we have some of the best pickers in Branson and all of country music. We also have some of the best guest stars,” said Williams whose celebrity line-up is impressive.

In addition to Gilley, McMahon, the Oak Ridge Boys and Clark, Williams has welcomed Johnny Cash’s band The Tennessee Three, Doug Kershaw, Barbara Fairchild, Sons of the Pioneers, Jimmy Osmond, the Osmonds, Helen Cornelius, Leona Williams and Bob Anderson. The Blackwood Brothers, Dave Somerville, Charlie Louvin, Narvel Felts, Margo Smith, Jim Owen, Cal Smith, Stonewall Jackson, Norma Jean, Mary Lou Turner, Little Jimmy Dickens, Jean Shepard, Bill Anderson, Porter Wagoner, Buck Trent, Wanda Jackson, Johnny Lee, Fred Travalena and Razzy Bailey have also guest starred on his stage.

The Gene Williams Show has been taped live with a studio audience going on eight years in Branson. His show will begin taping at a new location beginning Sunday, Feb. 15, at the 50’s at the Hop Theatre in the Shoppes at Branson Meadows, 4230 N Gretna Rd. Admission for the studio audience is free and the doors open at 1 p.m. with taping at 2 p.m. Three shows are taped approximately every third Sunday. Taping dates include March 8 and 29, April 19, May 10 and 17, etc.

The newest stations for the Gene Williams Show are Augusta, Ga., WJBF; Davenport/Moline/Rock Island, Ill., WHBF-TV; Providence, R.I., WJAR; Rio Grande Valley, Texas, KRGV-TV, Prescott, Ariz., KAZT-TV; Raleigh/Durham/Fayetteville, N.C., WRAZ (TV); Chattanooga, Tenn., WRCB-TV; Steubenville, Ohio, WTOV-TV; Detroit, WXYZ-TV; El Paso, KFOX-TV; Evansville, Ind., WEHT; Seattle, KIRO-TV; Fresno, Calif., KAIL; Harrisburg, Penn./Susquehanna Valley, WHTM-TV; Huntsville/Decatur, Ala., WHNT-TV; Jackson, Miss., WJTV; Johnstown/Altoona/State College, Penn., WJAC-TV; Knoxville, Tenn., WMAK; Lincoln, Neb., KLKN; Madison, Wis., WKOW-TV; Memphis, Tenn., WLMT; Meridian, Miss., WGBC-TV; Mobile, Ala., WKRG-TV; Lafayette, La., KDCG-LP; Orlando, Fla., WRDQ; Chattanooga , Tenn.,WRCB-TV; and Washington, D.C., WJLA-TV.

Special guest singer Helen Cornelius from Nashville will join The Missouri Boatride Band as entertainment for the Branson Daybreaker Rotary’s 5th Annual Chili Cook-Off on Saturday, February 21st, 4:00pm – 7:00pm, at the Lions Club on East Hwy. 76.

Helen Cornelius is a country singer-songwriter and actress, best known for a series of hit duets with Jim Ed Brown, many of which reached the U.S. Country singles top ten. The duet, “I Don’t want to Have to Marry You” was a major success in America. Cornelius will perform from 5:30 – 6pm .

The Missouri Boatride Band will perform bluegrass and comedy for all to enjoy from 4:00 to 5:00pm The well-known area band plays everything from classic bluegrass like Bill Monroe’s, Blue Moon of Kentucky to classic rock tunes such as the Allman Brothers, Midnight Rider plus bluegrass gospel. The group also add some comedy to the show with jokes and tall tales.

Competing for the best chili will be Daybreaker Rotary Club’s past presidents ,Glen Cameron, Tony Espey, Jerry Haefeker, Bob Huels, June Kerr, Ron Martin, and Bill Rohlfing. At this years event two Rotaract teams from the College of the Ozarks will also compete. Only ONE can win the favor of the judges!
Celebrity Judges (Helen Cornelius, Doug Kissinger, John Spencer, Steve Weyher, David Tate and Frank Woods) will be voting at 5:00pm. All who partake of the chili will have the opportunity to vote. Individual Ballots along with the Celebrity Judges ballots will be counted and the winner will receive the Rotary’s Chili Cook-Off Traveling Trophy.

Joan Westfall, Director of the Christian Action Ministries (CAM), is excited that the Branson Daybreakers Rotary Club’s event will benefit the CAM Food Pantry. “We need all the assistance we can get during this down time”, said Westfall. In 2008 CAM services provided food assistance to 4,376 families (11,686 individuals). More than 400 families have received food assistance in January, 2009, continued Westfall.

Original art work and jewelry, a Helicopter Pilot Program, a special breakfast for 5, $185 in dental services , and a $100 savings bond, are among the more than 25 items for the silent auction, plus Lynn Windle’s famous pies will be auctioned off at the Branson Daybreaker Rotary’s Chili Cook-off -Bluegrass and Comedy event. Don’t miss the event on Saturday, February 21st. from 4:00-7:00 PM at the Lions Club building on E. Hwy 76.

Tickets are $5 for individual, or $15 for a family. Children 10 and under are free. Tickets are available from Branson Daybreakers Rotary club members, at CAM, or at the door.

Bring the whole family! The annual Hometown Radio Health and Family Fair, presented by Skaggs Community Health Center, is Friday, February 13 and Saturday, February 14, 2009. There are some exciting new programs this year, including the Missouri Child identification program (MOCHIP), a free service provided by Branson Masonic Lodge #587.

The Health and Family Fair is Friday, February 13 & Saturday, February 14
8 a.m. – 3 p.m. at the Branson Convention Center, Branson Landing

A quick look at some of the programs that will be available:

FRIDAY

8 a.m.-noon: Healthy Heart Screenings (make an appointment by calling 335-7140 or at www.skaggs.net)
9 a.m.: Silver Sneakers Demonstration
10 a.m.: Healthy Cooking Demonstration with Chef Nathan Read
Noon: “Ask the Experts”
1 p.m.: Silver Sneakers

SATURDAY

8 a.m.-noon: Healthy Heart Screenings (make an appointment by calling 335-7140 or at www.skaggs.net)
9 a.m.: Presentation-Managing Stress
10 a.m.-3 p.m.: Missouri Child Identification Program
10 a.m.: Cooking Demonstration with Debbie Dance Uhrig
Noon: Fitness for Kids
1 p.m.: Tai Chi Demonstration

https://broadcast.branson.com/2009/01/13/sixth-annual-hometown-radio-health-and-family-fair/