The Horn family, with roots still in Dundalk, County Louth, Republic of Ireland cheerfully celebrate their Irish heritage every evening at their Circle B Supper Show. Cowboy is the operational word at the Circle B Theater, but the musical influences, which formed our cowboy music are also emphasized.
This year, Michael Horn is joined by his father, Kemp Horn, as well as Earl Vaughn and Billy Ward in wearing the traditional kilts during the Scottish and Irish portion of the program. Billy, cowboy through and through still wears his long johns and cowboy boots. The bonnie, red-haired Horn sisters also join in the Celtic celebration.
Megan McCullough Horn learned step dancing when she was a wee lass. Her instructor, a professional Irish step dancer who was working on Broadway in New York City, would make a 4 hour train ride to Baltimore once a week to teach youngsters the traditional art. Statuesque Christiana O’Rourke Horn, renowned bassist, blends her lilting vocals with Michael’s evocative lap dulcimer and guitar skills, creating illusions of the Emerald Isle. When you’re in Branson, MO and want to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, any day is a fine day to celebrate with the Horn family’s Riders of the Circle B. Slàinte!

Click Here for Details

March 16, 2011 … Supporters of the Branson and Forsyth food pantries operated by Christian Action Ministries (CAM) can increase the power of their financial donations from no through the end of April.  The extra value comes from a $1 million giveaway offered by the Feinstein Foundation of Rhode Island, which is dedicated to the alleviation of hunger, the importance of community service, and the values of caring, compassion and brotherhood.

Founded in 1991 by Alan Shawn Feinstein, the foundation offers a million dollars each year to be shared proportionately amongst food organizations throughout the country in accordance to the dollars that each organization raises.  Individual shares can range from a minimum of $250 to a maximum of $35,000.

All local donations through the end of April will be tallied and reported to the Feinstein Foundation, and the Foundation will then issue a check to CAM on a proportional basis to the amounts reported by th other food relief organizations.  Last year 57 groups on the state of Missouri received donations from the 2010 challenge.

According to CAM executive director Pat Davis, “This is a perfect way to stretch your donation dollars, knowing that another organization is also going to contribute on the basis of your contributions.  Demand on CAM has been exceptionally heavy this winter and every little bit of support truly helps us to continue providing relief to the hungry in Taney County.  On average, we’ve been assisting over 800 families per month this winter.”

Anyone wishing to donate cash, food, or time, can call Pat Davis at 334-1157 or visit the CAM website at www.christianactionministries.org.

Branson MOPS AM (Mothers of Preschoolers) is holding their 3rd Annual Carnival and Vendor Fair on Saturday, April 9 from 11:00 am to 1:30 pm at the First Baptist Church Life Center in Branson. There will be games, prizes, concessions, raffle, bounce houses, entertainment, vendors and more. You won’t want to miss your chance to register to win FREE tickets on Branson Air Express. Admission is free. Game tickets are 25 cents and raffle tickets are 1 dollar.
In addition, the Health Department, DARE Officer and Fire Safety House will all be in attendance and FREE child id kits will be available.
All proceeds from this event will go to benefit Branson MOPS AM, Laundry Love and River Rock Ministries. For more information or to find out how you can be a vendor visit www.bransonmops.org.

Enclosures: Picture attached

Senate Declares March 30th as “Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day”

Resolution Introduced by Senator Richard Burr

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Washington D.C – The U.S. Senate yesterday declared March 30th as “Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day,” agreeing unanimously to a resolution introduced by Senator Richard Burr (R-N.C.),  Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.

On March 30, 1973, all U.S. troops withdrew from Vietnam under the terms of the Treaty of Paris.  This March 30th, the Senate has encouraged Americans across the country to recognize Vietnam veterans for their sacrifice and demonstrate a warm welcome to these soldiers who returned from war to a politically divided country.

“I’m pleased that the Senate has agreed to set aside a day to give our Vietnam veterans a warm, long-overdue welcome home.  I strongly encourage communities throughout North Carolina and across the country to observe this day with activities and events that honor these veterans for their service.  It’s time they receive the recognition they have earned and deserve.  This day also provides our nation with an important teaching moment.  Never again should our men and women serving in the armed forces receive the same treatment as those returning from Vietnam,”  said Senator Richard Burr.

Senator Burr introduced the resolution for the second conservative year on February 16, 2011.

The United States became involved in Vietnam because policy-makers believed that if South Vietnam fell to a communist government, communism would spread throughout the rest of Asia.  The US Armed Forces began serving in an advisory role to the South Vietnamese in 1961, and in 1965, ground combat troops were sent into Vietnam.  On March 30th, 1973, after many years of combat, all US troops withdrew.  More than 58,000 members of the United States Armed Forces lost their lives and more than 300,000 were wounded in Vietnam.

Senators John Boozman (R-AR), Thad Cochran (M-MS),  James Inhofe (R-OK), and Johnny Isakson (R-GA) and Mike Johanns (R-NE) co-sponsored the legislation.  The resolution now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration.

International sensation JEERK comes back to Branson, MO!
Rhythm Artist Group’s 2nd year at Hughes Brothers Theatre!

JEERK, international sensation and Sweden’s top Rhythm Artists, once again kick off their action-packed show in Branson on March 16, 2011, at the Hughes Brothers Theatre. Last year they were awarded “Best New Show” by BransonCritic.com. This year they are taking entertainment to a whole new level with their innovative and thrilling one-of-a-kind stage show!
Jeff Topper, General Manager for the Hughes Brothers Theatre says, “JEERK is absolute cutting edge – it is versatile, unexpected, innovative and very hip.” The ingredients of the JEERK show include tap dance, percussion, singing and humour mixed together by five brilliant performers – Nikke, Reggie, Joey, Bobo, and Tymac. BransonCritic.com has this to say: “They do it all! They sing, they dance and they tap. They turn anything and everything into an instrument.”
The JEERK show is a world of rhythms where anything is transformed into a musical instrument; a plastic barrel, a hockey stick, a walking chair… mixed together with playful humour. Topper adds, “JEERK’s personal touch is endearing to the audience. Their clever combinations of dance are fresh and versatile while reminiscent of the fun antics we’ve always enjoyed from the dance greats.” BransonShows.com says, “This is exactly what this town needs; something new and refreshing. This is by far the best and most original show I’ve seen in Branson.”
JEERK has stomped across the stages of Sweden as well as Europe. Their international success brought them to the United States for their first appearance last year. At Silver Dollar City in 2009 JEERK discovered Branson and American fans discovered JEERK. For the second year in a row, fans will be able to see JEERK on the world-famous 76 Highway, fondly known as “the strip”. As Bobo says, “The crazy Swedes are back in Branson!”
For schedules, tickets, and other information call The Hughes Brothers Theatre at 800-422-0076 or 417-334-0076.
Learn more about JEERK at www.jeerk.com

2011 Lineup

– Liverpool Legends
– Red Skelton Tribute
– 3 Redneck Tenors
– The Charlie Daniels Band
– Tim Conway & Friends
– Johnny Mathis
– Gatlin Brothers & Debby Boone
– The Oak Ridge Boys
– The Gatlin Brothers
– Sawyer Brown
– Vicki Lawrence

And if that isn’t enough…
Be at the Press Conference as we announce a new, exciting show!

Press Conference at The Oak Ridge Boys Theatre
Date: Tuesday, March 15th
Time: 11:00 AM

Call (417) 348-1883 to RSVP by Monday, March 14th

We look forward to seeing you there!

Friday, March 18th the Branson Arts Council will present an Art Mixer and Open House, 5:30- 7 pm at Mount Pleasant Winery.
You are invited to attend a fun Art Mixer, featuring “A Taste of Table Rock Art Guild”. Come and meet with the very talented local artists for “Happy Hour” filled with wine tasting, refreshments and wonderful art. The event is open to BAC members and free to the public. For more information call the BAC office 336-4255.

The Diamond W Wranglers, international cowboy music sensations from Kansas, will be making only four special appearances in Branson this year. April 23 & 24 (Saturday and Sunday), and September 23 & 24, 2011 (Friday and Saturday), the Wranglers will be headlining chuckwagon dinner shows exclusively at the Circle B Theatre, just North of Branson’s famous Highway 76 strip.

Famous for their groundbreaking tour of China, sponsored by the Chinese government 5 years ago, recently the Wranglers have been snatching headlines by being invited to repeatedly headline Carnegie Hall in New York City. The Wranglers just returned from a European tour, where they performed for thousands at Munich’s Oktoberfest in Germany.

This is not their first time performing in Branson. You may remember that the Diamond W Wranglers kicked off the annual Chuckwagons of the West Jamboree at Branson’s Circle B in October 2010.

Supporting entertainment for the Diamond W for each night is Branson’s chuckwagon family, the Riders of the Circle B. Each show features Circle B’s famous gussied-up trail meal of chicken “a la range”, with all the trimmings.

For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit www.CircleBShow.com or call 1-800-678-6179.

Some people are just born to sing. She was. Some people have a natural ability to turn a song into a life-changing event. She has. Some people light up the stage when they enter. She does. Her name is Nedgra Culp and she is currently portraying Aretha Franklin at Dick Clark’s American Bandstand Theater in Branson, Missouri.
Nedgra was born and raised in Springfield, Missouri and has done a plethora of performing in the Ozarks. In Branson, she has appeared in “The VanBurch and Wellford Show”, “50’s At The Hop”, and her personal favorite, “Breakfast With The Classics”. In 1997, 1998 and 1999, Nedgra was awarded Female Vocalist of the Year and in 2000 she was awarded Duo of the Year along with Bill Brooks. That same year she was inducted into the Branson Musician and Entertainers Hall of Fame.
Prior to her Branson debut but following her graduation from Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar, Missouri, Nedgra received a call from “Mr. Las Vegas” himself, Wayne Newton! For several years following, she appeared as a background vocalist and featured soloist on the Wayne Newton Show. She has worked with legendary performers such as Tony Orlando, Mel Tillis, Lola Falana, John Davidson, Andy Williams, Dorothy Moore and the Tokens. Nedgra has also had the pleasure of appearing in the US tour of “I Can’t Stop Loving You – The Music of Ray Charles.” Born to sing and destined to impact lives, she brings joy to everyone who hears her. Don’t miss experiencing the powerful stage presence and electrifying vocals of Nedgra Culp as she portrays Aretha Franklin in the Legends in Concert show at Dick Clark’s American Bandstand Theater now through May 17!
Show times are 3 & 8 p.m. For more information, call 417-335-STAR or visit www.legendsinconcert.com.