Legendary Rocker Marshall Lytle of Bill Haley and The Comets will Join us this Sunday 6/7/09 to (Starr Talk with Sonny Starr). It takes place (Live) at 9 pm Western time. (Please adjust time in your location). Starr Talk is the nations top Classic Hollywood radio program.
The Entire month of June is devoted to the pioneers of Rock ‘n’ Roll! It’s our Rock ‘n’ Roll Revival and you are invited to join us. We will kick off the month with Marshall Lytle of Bill Haley and The Comets. When he first joined the group they were called Bill Haley and his Saddle Men. Later They recorded the first Rock ‘n’ Roll song “Rock This Joint”. During a radio interview with Allan Freed, He was playing their single, “Rock This Joint”. He left the mic. open and started yelling “Rock ‘n’ Roll…Rock ‘n’ Roll!!! That term stuck and Rock ‘n’ Roll was born. In 1953 “Crazy Man, Crazy” became the first Rock ‘n’ Roll song to chart. In 1955 “Rock Around the Clock” became Rock ‘n’ Roll’s first #1 hit.
Again that’s this Sunday June 7th at 9 pm Western time. (Adjust time in your location). You can hear it live around the world on the web at: www.radio84.com We are expecting a large audience. Our flag ship station is KKNX on the West coast. Hope you can join us!

Branson has a chance to show “How Much We Care!”
Our community has a unique opportunity to show how much Branson cares and supports our active military personnel. We can entertain them while they are in Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan and around the world… even invite them to vacation.
Do you tape your show? Do you have over runs? Do you have CD’s you can spare?
“Branson Supports Operation Gratitude” will send those extra DVD’s and CD’s to our active military personnel around the world!
Other requested items for the troops include batteries & computer flash drives.
Call 417-339-1968 to make your donation. Items will be picked up at your location.
Cash donations are also needed for postage for the items going to the distribution center in California and the distribution center needs financial help for the postage to mail to the troops. Everyone can help either with the DVD’s, CD’s or batteries & computer flash drives or with cash for postage. All cash donations collected, over the amount needed to send our supplies to California, will be sent to Operation Gratitude to help with the postage to mail to the troops. All items will be collected here and mailed to California.
Nita Tate with #1 Hits of the 60’s is organizing this donation drive and will answer all your questions, call 417-339-1968. Thank you for your help.
“Branson Supports Operation Gratitude” is working in conjunction with:
Operation Gratitude, 16444 Refugio Road, Encino, CA 91436
www.opgratitude.com email [email protected]

The White River Comedy Club is an upscale and elegantly appointed 176 seat club that offers stand-up comics, many who’ve been on Letterman, Leno, HBO, Showtime, Comedy Central and the hit NBC show Last Comic Standing. A well balanced blend of sophistication, wit, and laughter is what makes White River Comedy Club one of the best choices for entertainment in Branson.This is an over 18 club. A full bar and menu is served.(cost, extra). Show times are Wednesday, Thursday(7:30pm). Friday and Saturday(7:30 pm and 9:45pm). And Sunday at (7:30pm). Doors open at 6:30pm for food and drink. Tickets can be purchased online at whiterivercomedyclub.com or at the Box Office Wed thru Sun,(10:00 am- up to show time). Or call 417-335-3588 10:00am till Show Time(Wed thru Sun). Come see the best show in Branson where we’re “Rolling with Laughter”.

Tammy Peters, Creative Director of Branson’s “Festival of Lights” has opend her second retail venture called “North Pole Sweets & Treats”! Just last month Tammy opened her first location “North Pole Decor & More”, a Christmas shop, at the Chappy Mall located at 204 North Commercial in Historic Downtown Branson. While Tammy has maintained the Christmas theme for “North Pole Sweets & Treats”, her product choices has a much different flavor. They are tasty and delicious! The store’s speciality is a “Fudge Puppy” a tasty treat that is a “must have”! Also featured are Caramel Apple Blossoms, fresh popcorn, REAL cotton candy, cookies, fudge, brownies and old fashioned candies such as candy dots, pixy stix, and candy necklaces. A wide variety of beverages are also available including Starbuck’s iced coffees, iced tea, and refreshing slushes! Many gift items are also available. Come check it out! You will be glad you did!

The Russians Are Coming! The Russians Are Coming! Yakov’s Moscow Circus opens June 10th in Branson, Missouri.

(Branson, MO – Tuesday, June 2, 2009) – Yakov Smirnoff, famous Russian Comedian, announced that a special Moscow Circus is a new addition to his exciting theater line-up in Branson, Missouri. Yakov’s Moscow Circus will open on June 10 and run through September 7. Yakov says, “You can runaway to Branson and join my circus! The highly respected Moscow Circus is an entertaining collection of clowns, strongmen, high wire walkers, con artists, and animals. Over here in America we call that Congress.”

Yakov’s Moscow Circus features Andre the Clown, Irina Markova and her award winning canine troupe with their feline friends, Igor & Denis “The Strongmen of Moscow”, Flying Adagio Star Marina, National Unicycling Champion Anthony Soumiatin, Boris the Wonder Dog and more. For the first twenty dates Yakov will appear in person, subsequent show dates he’ll be a part of the show via multimedia. Yakov says, “The show is really a story and the story is set in a circus that begins in Russia. It features elements of honor, loyalty, character, nobility, patriotism, humor, romance…and some very exciting and unique segments. Parts of the story mirror the challenges, and the culture, of my country of origin Russia, and parts of the story showcase my love, and the values, of my country of choice the United States of America. You won’t want to miss the adventure as Andre the Clown searches for his lovely Marina the Ballerina!”

One unique aspect of Yakov’s Moscow Circus is the opportunity that Yakov created for many schools and charities to raise funds for their different projects. Schools participating distribute flyers to their students offering one free child’s ticket to Yakov’s Moscow Circus with the purchase of an adult ticket. Adults recieve a special price of $20 to see Yakov’s Moscow Circus and for every adult ticket sold with the flyer, Yakov sends the school $5. Yakov adds, “I thought this would be a great way to encourage families to see Yakov’s Moscow Circus, have some fun and also help their schools out. And if you think about it, it’s also a great cultural exchange.” Schools or charitable organizations wishing to participate in this program can contact the theater.

For tickets to Yakov’s Moscow Circus call 417-332-1234 or visit www.yakov.com

Coca-Cola presents …
FREE CONCERT BY LYAL STRICKLAND at Factory Merchants Branson

Saturday June, 13th
Noon – 2pm

Factory Merchants Branson
1000 Pat Nash Drive
Branson, MO 65616
(417) 335-6686

Upper Courtyard

Southern Missouri native Lyal Strickland magically melds together years of passion, perseverance, talent and tenacity with melodies, lyrics and simply makes…music.

Blending the soul of a front porch picking with the excitement of a Saturday night, Lyal’s original songs express life with all of its up and downs. Passionate vocals, captivating guitar, on occasional harmonica, and Lyal’s down to earth style keep audiences begging for more. Lyal has become a favorite of music lovers in the Ozarks.

Coca-Cola invites you to enjoy Lyal Strickland’s music live at Factory Merchants Branson on Sat, June 13th at noon until 2pm.

What: Table Rock Dam 50th Anniversary

When: Sunday June 14, 2009

2:15 p.m. Springfield National Guard Band Performance
2:45 p.m. Anniversary Celebration Begins
Followed by refreshment at the Dewey Short Visitors Center

Where: Table Rock Dam Overlook

An afternoon of celebrating how the Ozarks were changed forever.

Click for larger view

A celebration marking the 50th anniversary of Table Rock Dam and its hydroelectric power facility will be held on Sunday, June 14, with a ceremony at 2:15 p.m. on the overlook across from the Dewey Short Visitors Center on Mo. 165.

The Springfield National Guard Band will kick-off the event. Dignitaries and people who were involved with the dam’s construction will be on hand. It was at 2:45 p.m. on June 14, 1959, when the switch was thrown on the dam’s power facility, said Rodney Raley of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Following the ceremony, activities will move across the highway to the Dewey Short Visitors Center where a film on the development of Table Rock Dam will be shown in the auditorium. There also will be entertainment on the lakeside patio by the Missouri Boatride Bluegrass Band from Branson West.

The dam has created boating, swimming and fishing opportunities for area residents and the millions of visitors who come to Branson each year, said Branson Mayor Raeanne Presley.

“It enhances our quality of life,” Presley said.

The dam was built as a flood control measure. In 1941, Congress approved a series of dams on the White River to prevent devastating damage to thousands of acres of cotton, corn and other crops downstream.

That helped locally, too. Flood control “has allowed additional investments in areas that would never have seen any growth if it didn’t exist,” Presley said.

Raley invites anyone who was involved with the project to attend. Call Raley at 417-334-4101, ex. 3019.

Also, on Saturday and Sunday, June 13 and 14, free 30-minutes tours of the Table Rock Dam Powerhouse will be offered from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Visitors must get tickets at the Dewey Short Visitors Center and will be required to sign a statement that they are a United States citizen. And Moonshine Beach is now open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. The day use fee is $4 per vehicle. A season pass is available for $30.

Also, Moonshine Beach is now open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. The day use fee is $4 per vehicle. A season pass is available for $30.

Who Was Dewey Short?

Dewey Short grew up in Galena, and served 24 years in the U.S. House of Representatives. Galena was a float-fishing center then, and as a young man, Short worked arranging float trips down the James River.

He graduated as valedictorian of Galena High School in 1915, and continued his education. Short was elected to Congress in 1928. In 1929, Empire District Electric Co. announced plans to build a hydroelectric project known as Table Rock. The 1930’s depression derailed the plans. Then World War II delayed funding. But Short kept pushing the project. In 1954, Pres. Dwight Eisenhower signed the bill authorizing the funding, and praised Short for his efforts.

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In 1959 four brothers calling themselves The Baldknobbers began entertaining visitors to Branson, Missouri. They called their show the Baldknobbers Jamboree. Fifty years and four generations later, The Baldknobbers are still entertaining audiences with country music and their own distinctive brand of hillbilly humor.

Although the comedy evolves and routines change, there is always a common thread of what makes it work. Hillbilly humor encompasses universal subjects that everyone knows and experiences: happiness, sadness, love, marriage, car trouble…every aspect of daily life.

It was their hillbilly humor that first gave the Baldknobbers popular recognition outside of Branson. Baldknobbers co-founder Lyle Mabe’s comic character “George Aggernite” did television commercials for Empire Gas, which aired at 6:12 PM, during the weather portion of the evening newscast. People from Springfield to Joplin and all over the Ozarks tuned in just to watch the hilarious commercials. Aggernite’s rubbery face, his trouble with pronunciations, and other antics intrigued the audience. The commercials also featured takeoffs of television shows and other commercials, keeping it current and keeping the audience tuned in. Viewers became fans of The Baldknobbers even before they saw the show.

In 2009 Baldknobbers comedians are still adding to the merriment and high spirits that audiences enjoy at the show. Straight-man Bob Leftridge has fresh reactions every night to Stub Meadows’s unbelievable stories and antics. And when “Droopy Drawers, Jr.” and “Hargus Marcel” get in on the act, anything can happen, and often does. The band and vocalists don’t escape the zinging comedy arrows either and seem equally surprised and entertained by the zany hi-jinx.

Tim Mabe, Droopy Drawers, Jr., is the son of Jim and Katie Mabe. The late Jim Mabe was one of the four founders and the original Droopy Drawers. Tim Mabe and other second- and third-generation Mabes are part of the 19-member cast of The Baldknobbers Jamboree. The show is an excellent mix of old and new country music, laced with a sidesplitting, generous dose of hillbilly humor.

Every brand of humor has various common themes. Understanding what makes people laugh, and why a particular subject or story is funny, is a talent, and one that has served this show well. The Baldknobbers brand of comedy touches something in everyone and has the unique ability to let people laugh at just about anything.

Some of America’s favorite humor is physical and the Baldknobbers hillbilly humor scores big in this category. The wild outfits the comics wear contrast to the band’s handsome jackets and the female vocalists’ beaded and sequined dresses. Costume changes were certainly not part of the original show. Outlandish hats and shoes, oversized, too-short britches, crazy plaids mixed with bright patterns and too-long, too-wide ties are a perfect backdrop for Stub’s rubbery-faced expressions and Hargus’s sorrowful look as he relates his latest woes. The expressions on Droopy’s face match his comic getup.

Longtime Baldknobbers fans and new fans alike appreciate the Baldknobbers’ family traditions. Great music, excellent comedy, and honoring God and country make their show popular from generation to generation. Come celebrate 50 years of fun with The Baldknobbers Jamboree!

Join the Mabe family and the entire cast of the Baldknobbers for the year-long 50th Anniversary celebration in 2009. The Baldknobbers Jamboree Show-“The Show That Started It All”-is located on the famed 76 Country Music Boulevard in Branson, Missouri, with performances Monday through Saturday at 8 PM. For tickets call 800-998-8908 or www.Baldknobbers.com