On April 19, this Sunday’s Grand Old Gospel Hour will feature Elvis’ gospel music and some of the contestants in the Third Annual Branson Elvis Festival and the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist competition. It is free and open to the public at 10 a.m. at Dick Clark’s American Bandstand Theater.

“Even though Elvis had some 105 Top 40 hits many of which were number one, it was gospel music that earned him his Grammy awards. We at the Grand Old Gospel Hour are happy to be part of the three day Elvis Festival that Legends In Concert is hosting in our new theater home and give some of the outstanding Elvis impersonators a stage on which to perform some of the great gospel music that Elvis recorded,” said Sam Stauffer of the Grand Old Gospel Hour.

The Grand Old Gospel Hour is a long time Branson praise and worship venue free for tourists and locals alike. The non-profit organization is celebrating 14 years in Branson and features a fast-paced, contemporary and gospel praise and worship experience with a live band, gospel vocalists and entertaining and inspirational messages by Stauffer.

“Elvis is probably best known for ‘How Great Thou Art’ and ‘Crying in the Chapel.’ He has been quoted as saying that he knew practically every religious song that’s been written. He recorded songs by William J. Gaither, Andre Crouch and Albert E. Brumley. Traditional gospels songs that he recorded in addition to the Grammy Award-winning ‘How Great Thou Art’ included ‘In the Garden’ along with his own arrangements of ‘Joshua Fit the Battle,’ ‘Swing Down Sweet Chariot,’ ‘By and By,’ ‘Amazing Grace’ and more,” Stauffer said.

Elvis’ ‘How Great Thou Art’ album won the Grammy for Best Sacred Performance in 1967 and the live version won Best Inspirational Performance in 1974.

The Grand Old Gospel Hour Elvis gospel music service is just one of the events during the Third Annual Branson Elvis Festival and the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist competition being held April 17-19 at Dick Clark’s American Bandstand Theater hosted by Legends in Concert.

The Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest will take place on the Legends in Concert stage April 18 at 7 p.m. An Elvis Meet and Greet Dinner is Friday at 5 p.m. at Dick Clark’s American Bandstand Grill with the contestants. At 8 p.m. all contestants will be attending the Legends in Concert Show on the Legends in Concert stage where, of course, Elvis is in the spring lineup. At 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, it’s Elvis Karaoke with the contestants in Club 57. Saturday 9 a.m.-5 p.m. the Elvis Vendor Village will be open in the lobby. At 10 a.m. the movie Speedway starring Elvis and Nancy Sinatra will be shown in the Legends in Concert Theatre. Admission is free to the public.

The Branson Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist contest is one of 14 tribute competitions currently scheduled and sanctioned by Elvis Presley Enterprises Inc. around the world. The winner of this contest will compete in Memphis during the annual Elvis Week in August against a number of other Elvis tribute finalists for the coveted title of the Ultimate ElvisTribute Artist of the Year. Judges look for the “best representation of the Elvis legacy” in talent, appearance, performance, stage presence and overall tribute to Elvis in naming the “2009 Elvis Tribute Artist of the Year.”

Call 417-337-8888 for more information about the Grand Old Gospel Hour.

The Community is invited to see a free showing of the 2008 hit film Fireproof on Friday, April 17th at 7PM at Branson United Methodist.
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The following description is from the DVD case:

Inside burning buildings, Capt. Caleb Holt lives the old firefighter’s adage: Never Leave Your Partner Behind. In hte cooling embers of his marriage, it’s another story. As he and his wife prepare to enter divorce proceedings, Caleb’s dad asks his son to try an experiment: The Love Dare. But is it too late to fireproof his marriage?

His job is to rescue others. Now Caleb must face his toughest job ever… rescuing his wife’s heart.
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Childcare will be provided by certified providers.

Coffee, tea & other snacks will be served afterward.

There will be giveaway copies of the Love Dare book from the film, DVD copies of the film and more.

Please join us for this FAMILY event; bring your teens, children, etc. and have a night out as a family on us!

Contact the church office at 417.334.3423 to reserve your seats!

April 19 is the public’s first opportunity to see American Kids Inc.’s 2009 premiere of Raising America, the non-profit’s patriotic musical, at 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. in the Branson Mall Theatre (next to Wal-Mart) located on the world famous Highway 76. Tickets are $10 and reservations can be made by calling the box office at 417-334-5412.

“The show has more than 25 appearances booked in Branson for 2009, but they are private bookings. We are inviting the public to be the first to see this year’s show at this Sunday matinee,” said American Kids Inc. Founder Dr. Dale Smith.

Smith, a retired Air Force Major and a seasoned entertainer, created Raising America as an avenue for young people to develop a personal sense of patriotism and, through this exciting, fast-paced, original music show, share their talents with all types of audiences from veterans groups to mall shoppers.

“This show debuted in 2000 at Silver Dollar City, toured on the road from Florida to Kentucky at venues such as the Golden Corral® national convention and Ruritan Convention, was presented for two seasons at the Majestic Theatre in Branson and has been presented for hundreds of veterans groups visiting Branson.

“We teach patriotism and all that it entails honor, respect, loyalty, commitment, courage, self-discipline, faith,” Smith said. “After seeing a past stage show, a veteran of three tours of conflict came up to the cast and said, ‘You kids were worth all I’ve been through, I served for you.’ The stunned and grateful cast gathered in prayer backstage with an even deeper commitment to show their appreciation to those who have been in military service.”

Selected through auditions, the 2009 cast members are Daniel, Nathaniel, Jonathan and Sarah Fair of Rogers, Ark.; Kimberly Conrad, Kashina McGrath, Laura Miles and Jessica Nordberg of Branson; Montana Richardson of Galena; and MeLeah Ridenour of Nixa.

Smith and his wife, Kathy, are producing the show and managing the cast of singers and dancers. Brandi Ely, an alumna of American Kids Inc., is assisting them.

For more information about American Kids Inc. call 417-337-8964.

Andy would like to invite you to join him and The 2009 Moon River Theatre Stars: Righteous Brothers’ Bill Medley, Paul Revere and the Raiders, and Bill Haley’s Original Comets for the Ribbon Cutting of his fabulous Moon River Grill on Thursday, April 23rd at 12 pm.
Enjoy Andy’s wonderful pictures, gold records and his personal pop art collection throughout the grill and meet and greet the Andy Williams Moon River Entertainment Complex 2009 Stars! Light Refreshments will be served.

Day: Thursday
Date: April 23, 2009
Time: 12 pm
Location: Andy Williams Moon River Grill

Moon River Grill will be open with a full lunch menu at 11am!

The team at Luigi’s Pizza Kitchen announces a grand opening event on Monday, April 20 at the new Luigi’s restaurant, located at 3452 W. 76 Country Boulevard in Branson, next to the Dutton Family Theatre, across from White Water and Mickey Gilley’s.  Community members are encouraged to come see the new location and enjoy a complimentary slice of pizza from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Luigi’s on the 76 Strip will be giving away free slices of pizza Monday afternoon (one per person) with no purchase necessary. Additionally, from 3 p.m. until closing time, Luigi’s is offering large specialty (classic or gourmet) pizzas for 50 percent off.  These specials cannot be combined with other offers, discounts or coupons and are available at the 76 Strip location for dine-in or carryout orders only.

It might seem strange that a local, independent restaurant owner would give food away and cut his prices in half during what many consider to be harsh economic times.  Chris Jordan, owner of Luigi’s Pizza Kitchen in Branson and Nixa, has a philosophy of his own.

“Above all else, we are enthusiastic, positive and grateful. We’re excited about our new location because it’s going to open so many more doors for us, and we know that we wouldn’t have been able to do this without the support of the community at large. The locals keep us in business and give us the opportunity to grow and expand.  This is our way of celebrating a new beginning, saying thanks to the community that has supported us for more than 10 years, and introducing ourselves to people who may not know about us yet,” Jordan said.