(Branson, MO) – Joey Riley, a 43-year-old, Wylie native and nationally-known comedian, has been diagnosed with Stage IV Colon Cancer and will soon begin chemotherapy. This devastating news, which has put his career on hold, comes just ten months after his mother lost her long and difficult battle with cancer.
Riley was born and raised in Wylie and got his start in his parents’ music venue, the Wylie Opry, which they built so he and his brother, Scott, could have a family-friendly environment in which to perform.
Riley started high school at Wylie High School and then moved to Nashville where he went to school his junior and senior years.
“I was working in Nashville and going to school at the same time,” he said.
However, he wanted to graduate with his class at Wylie, so his school in Tennessee sent his records to Wylie, and he graduated with the WHS class of 1989.
Riley was successful from a young age. Before he was 17, he toured with Capitol Records artist Gene Stroman and Suzy Bogguss playing the steel guitar and fiddle. He then toured with the Warren Stokes Country Revue out of Eureka Springs, Ark. and added “comedian” to his talents.
After a couple years, he found his way to Branson, Missouri where he joined the Texas Goldminors. Country music legend Mickey Gilley happened to be in the audience one day and asked him to join his show. Riley stayed by Gilley’s side for over 20 years and loved every minute of it.
In 2012, Joey ended his tenure with Gilley and joined up with longtime friend and fellow Wylie native Clay Cooper. He performed nightly as part of “Clay Cooper’s Country Music Express” and in his own show at Music City Centre on Branson’s famed Highway 76 strip. Joey’s tumor was unable to be surgically removed. The new plan is after his recovery from the surgery he will undergo Chemo and Radiation treatments to shrink the tumor. Riley plans to return to Clay Cooper’s show and will open his show in the fall.
Joey, a steel guitarist, fiddle player and comedic sidekick has been sharing laughs and entertaining audiences of all ages with comedy, singing and musical talents for more than 20 years.
Joey does not have health insurance to cover these costs so a benefit show will be held Saturday, April 20 at 2 p.m. at Clay Cooper Theatre to help Riley and his wife, Kelli with overwhelming medical expenses. Tickets are $25.
Donations can be made in the name “Benefit of Joey Riley” at Bank of Missouri, 800 Highway 248, Suite C, Branson MO, 65616. Prayers, donations and well wishes are greatly appreciated by the Riley family.
“The music industry has been real good to me throughout the years,” Riley said. “I’ve been blessed. But I’m not ready to give up yet.”
Letters, cards and well wishes for Joey Riley can be sent to Joey Riley, c/o Chuck Landry, 904 Hawthorn, Branson MO 65616.
For ticket information on the Joey Riley Benefit Show, call 417-332-CLAY.

BRANSON, MISSOURI – March 19, 2013 – The Andy Williams Moon River Theatre announced today another performer in a line of stars to headline this Fall’s “Moon River Weekends”. Moon River Weekends is a concert series featuring national entertainers each weekend in September and October. Country Superstar and Grammy winner, Randy Travis will come to Branson and perform on Friday and Saturday, October 11th and 12th at 8pm. Tickets will be available for purchase beginning March 25th at 9 AM.

“Randy Travis is a country music legend and it’s exciting to have him come to our theatre. Randy’s career is unparalleled in country and gospel music and he brings 25 years of hits and timeless music to Moon River”, stated Lynn Meredith, General Manager of Moon River. “The Moon River Theatre will continue to be a legacy for our founder, Andy Williams and be the home of great singers and entertainers.”

One more performer in this exciting concert series will be announced in the coming days.

About Randy Travis

With lifetime sales in excess of 20 million, Randy Travis is one of the biggest country record sellers of all time. His honors include seven Grammy Awards, 10 Academy of Country Music statuettes, 10 American Music Awards, two People’s Choice awards, seven Music City News awards, eight Dove Awards from the Gospel Music Association and five Country Music Association honors. In addition, three of his performances earned CMA Song of the Year honors, “On the Other Hand” (1986), “Forever and Ever Amen” (1987) and “Three Wooden Crosses” (2003).

To date, he has 18 No. 1 singles, 29 top-10 smashes and more than 40 appearances in feature films and television shows to his credit. Ten of his albums are Gold Records. Eight are Platinum. Two have gone Double Platinum. One is Triple Platinum and another is Quintuple Platinum. In 2004, Randy was honored with his own star in the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He has been a member of the cast of the Grand Ole Opry since 1986.

Currently, Randy Travis is celebrating the 25th anniversary of his award-studded career with a stellar cast of collaborators on a new cd. Joining him on his Anniversary Celebration CD are such members of the Country Music Hall of Fame as Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson, George Jones and Ray Price. Current Nashville hit makers Zac Brown Band, Carrie Underwood, Kenny Chesney, Tim McGraw, Josh Turner and Brad Paisley are also singing with him on the collection. Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame member Don Henley is on board, as are such up-and-comers as country’s James Otto and Jamey Johnson, pop’s Kristin Chenoweth and Irish tenor Eamonn McCrystal.

Randy’s fellow country superstar Alan Jackson has written several songs with him, so his presence is a natural. Revered vocal stylists such as Shelby Lynne, John Anderson, Gene Watson and Joe Stampley participate, as do Randy’s fellow Grand Ole Opry cast members Lorrie Morgan and Connie Smith.

The event that inspired this gathering of greats is singular and significant. The 1986 release of the Randy Travis LP Storms of Life was a watershed moment in American music history. The album, which has sold nearly four million copies, was a cornerstone of the “new traditionalist” movement in Nashville. Jackson, Paisley, Chesney, McGraw, Turner and Underwood were all inspired by it.

Randy Travis is a country and gospel music singer whose distinctive baritone and traditional style have made him a star since the 1980s. In the late 1970s he began making demo tapes and recorded a few singles, and in 1981 he moved to Nashville, Tennessee. After a few years as a cook and singer at night spot, he released an independently produced live recording to capitalize on his increasing fan base. His first record on a major label, Storms of Life was released in 1986, and Travis toured the United States on the strength of the hits “On the Other Hand” and “1982.” Since then he has sold millions of records and won numerous awards, including Grammys for Best Male Country Vocal Performance (1987 and 1988), Best Country Song (1988’s “Forever and Ever, Amen”) and Best Southern, Country or Bluegrass Gospel Album (2004’s Rise and Shine). Travis is known as a country crooner in the style of Lefty Frizell and George Jones. In recent years he has recorded bluegrass and gospel albums that have had great success, including the hit and 2003 CMA Song of the Year, “Three Wooden Crosses. With lifetime sales in excess of 20 million, Randy Travis is one of the biggest country record sellers of all time.

Andy Williams Moon River Theatre
Kathe Hill, Director of Sales and Marketing
417-334-1800
[email protected]

Buckets N Boards Opening Night March 15th at 8 pm at the Clay Cooper Theatre!

Buckets N Boards, awarded BEST COMEDY SHOW by BransonCritic.com, is wacky, crazy, fun, and just plain ZANY! This percussion duo does it all, singing, tap dancing, hysterical comedy and making precise percussion using buckets, ladders, and even creating instruments you have never seen before. These guys are great for kids and adults alike!

Red Hot…& Blue will be opening on March 19th @ 10am. New segments, new songs, new costumes, come on out and see this very talented, energetic cast that will leave you wanting more. It’s a musical journey starting from the 1940’s and traveling thru tunes from the 1990’s, with music from the Big Band Era to the Beatles, Bee Gees, the Monkees and N’sync and so much more! You’ll be singing along, tappin’ your toes and reminiscing about songs you grew up listening to.

Don’t miss it!!

BRANSON, MISSOURI – March 11, 2013 – The Andy Williams Moon River
Theatre announced today another one of the stars to headline this Fall’s “Moon River Weekends” with national entertainers each weekend in September and October.  Country Superstar and Grammy winner, Clint Black returns to Branson and will perform this October on Friday the 4^th and Saturday the 5^th. Both shows begin at 8pm and tickets are on sale now.

“Clint Black is a talented, outstanding performer and we’re excited to have him back at Andy Williams Theatre. The positive reaction from our audiences last year and Clint’s appreciation for our theatre made it an easy decision to have him back”, stated Lynn Meredith, General Manager of the Andy Williams Moon River Theatre. “The Moon River Theatre will continue to be a legacy for our founder, Andy Williams and be the home of world class singers and entertainers.
Additional performers will be announced in the coming days.

About Clint Black
Prolific singer-songwriter Clint Black has long been heralded as one of Country music’s brightest stars. His many talents have taken him even further, as Black has transcended genres to become one of the most successful artists in all the music industry. To date, Black has written, recorded and released more than 100 songs, a benchmark in any artist’s career. An astounding one-third of these songs eligible for major single release also achieved hit song status at Country radio, while more than 20 million of his albums have been sold worldwide. While it’s well-known that Black is an accomplished singer and guitarist, people may be surprised to learn that he is also proficient on drums and harmonica.

Black’s continued success can be attributed in part to his deep sense of Country music history, and his humble gratitude in being an important part of it. The 1989 debut of his critically acclaimed fan favorite, the Triple Platinum Killin’ Time, marked a shift in the industry, with a return to the more traditional sounds of the genre. CMT lists this album as one of the 100 Greatest Albums in Country Music.
Released while Black was still an unknown Texas-based artist and writer, Killin’ Time boasted five #1 hits – unprecedented from a debut album in any genre – and won Black a collection of awards that included: Country Music Association Horizon Award, Country Music Association Male Vocalist of the Year, American Music Awards Favorite New Male Country Artist, Academy of Country Music Best New Male Vocalist, Academy of Country Music Best Male Vocalist, Academy of Country Music Album of the Year (Killin’ Time), and Academy of Country Music Single of the Year (“A Better Man”).

For Black, Killin’ Time was only the beginning. Put Yourself in My Shoes followed in 1990, and quickly went Triple Platinum. Since then, Black has had nearly two dozen #1 hit singles, and almost as many Top 5 and Top 10 hits – all of them his original compositions, which is itself a notable rarity in popular music. The overall number of his awards, including a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, surpasses the number of his hit records, while he has performed for a staggering number of dedicated music fans in concerts through the years.

With such a long and productive career, Black still keeps his output as fresh now as when he was a hungry, up-and-coming artist. When he felt that his music was in danger of becoming a bit repetitive in the late ‘90s, Black took a brave risk and shook things up by leaving his label of more than a decade, and took a much-needed break to reevaluate where he wanted to take his career next. At that time, he and wife Lisa Hartman Black decided to start a family, and the birth of daughter Lily Pearl subsequently gave Black a new perspective and vigor that affected not only his personal life, but his professional and creative sides as well.

Clearly, Black’s devotion to family was the best thing for his career. In 2003, he boldly founded Equity Music Group, an especially artist-friendly record company that became home to his own recordings, as well as those of other like-minded artists. It was his company that launched Little Big Town’s career with their Platinum-selling album, The Road to Here. Black’s highly anticipated debut album for the label, Spend My Time, received great critical acclaim, and the label went on to earn Billboard’s #2 Independent Imprint of the Year and #4 Independent Label of the Year across all genres in 2006.

In addition to his established business ventures and various charity foundation efforts, Black branched out even further with an appearance on Donald Trump’s hit reality series Celebrity Apprentice. As a result of the friendship on the

show between Black and fellow contestant and Olympic Gold Medalist Scott Hamilton, the teammates are working to secure a total of one million dollars in matching fund donations for the International Rett Syndrome Foundation (IRSF). Black currently serves as Honorary Chair for the IRSF’s “Research to Reality: Funding Progress” campaign, which helps to accelerate treatments and research to find a cure for the developmental disorder.

For Tickets to Clint Black and all the “Moon River Weekends” Shows at the Andy Williams Moon River Theatre in 2013, call 800-MOON-094 or visit Andy Williams.com

(Branson, Missouri) – The Welk Resort Branson continues its legacy of providing legendary family entertainment by announcing the 2013 season schedule of “The Price Is Right Live!,” the on-stage, audience-interactive version of the longest running game show in TV history. The show returns to The Welk Resort Theatre for its second season.

Since 2006, “The Price is Right Live!” has packed-in audiences around the country, including runs in Atlantic City and Las Vegas, providing all of the games, excitement and fun of “The Price is Right” television show.  Starting March 2013, Branson contestants pulled right from the audience will have a chance to “Come On Down” to win appliances, vacations and even new cars by playing classic games from television’s longest running and most popular game show.  From Plinko to Cliffhangers to the Big Wheel, and even the fabulous Showcase, all the favorite games are played just like the TV show.

“The Price Is Right Live! tour offers the same quality production and excitement as the beloved TV show,” says Dathan Atchison, General Manager of The Welk Resort Branson. “We’re ecstatic to have this outstanding show returning to our theatre. I don’t recall experiencing a show that draws the audience in with such enthusiasm and delivers the energy and excitement like the Price is Right Live! Our guests and Branson visitors loved it and we look forward to another phenomenal season and hopefully many more to come!”

Playing to near sold out audiences for nearly nine years, The Price Is Right Live! has given away more than 10 million dollars in cash and prizes and sold more than 1.2 million tickets.

If you enjoy the rush of emotions experienced while watching the show on television, just imagine the possibilities if you were actually in the audience watching it live.

From March through November The Price Is Right Live will thrill audiences and provide Branson guests a unique opportunity to experience all of the fun that has made The Price Is Right the number one game show of all time.

The Price Is Right Live! schedule covers March through November. Performance times are 2 and 8pm.  Box Office price for adults is $31.95 + tax and a Child (17 and under) is $15.95 + tax. Tickets are available by phone at 800-505-9355 or on-line at WelkBranson.com.

The Price Is Right is produced by FremantleMedia North America and licensed by FremantleMedia International.

ABOUT “THE PRICE IS RIGHT”

The Price Is Right, the longest-running game show in television history, is hosted by Drew Carey and produced by FremantleMedia North America, The Price Is Right is broadcast weekdays (11:00 AM-12:00 Noon, ET; 10:00-11:00 AM, PT) on the CBS Television Network.

The Andy Williams Moon River Theatre announced today another one of the stars to headline this Fall’s “Moon River Weekends” with national entertainers each weekend in September and October. World renowned impressionist and comedian, Rich Little will perform this September on Friday the 20^th and Saturday the 21^st. Both shows begin at 8pm and tickets are on sale now.

Rich Little will bring his one man show “Jimmy Stewart and Friends” to the Moon River stage on Friday and Saturday, September 20-21. The stage show is centered around Rich Little impersonating Jimmy Stewart as he reminisces and tells stories of all the stars and politicians from the past to the present. It’s a hilarious show that allows Rich Little to present all his fabulous impressions to the audience.

“We’re excited to have Rich Little coming to Moon River Theatre as the first guest in our Moon River Weekends Series. He is a tremendous addition to our 2013 line-up”, stated Lynn Meredith, General Manager of Moon River. “The Moon River Theatre will continue to be a legacy for our founder, Andy Williams and be the home of great singers and entertainers.”

Additional performers will be announced in the coming days.

About Rich Little

U.S. Presidents: John F. Kennedy, Lyndon Johnson, Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton, both George Bushes…Rich Little has an impression of each of them.
Infamous for his skewing of political figures, Little has charmed, amused, annoyed and lampooned politicians from here to his native Canada. He entertained at both of Reagan’s presidential inaugurations and spent much of 2003 touring the United States with his show “The Presidents.”
A master mimic of more than 200 voices, Little continues to impress throughout the world, with regular stops in Atlantic City, Las Vegas, Reno, Hawaii, Chicago, New York, Canada and London.
A professed classic movie buff, he’s particularly fond of doing Alan Ladd (his childhood hero) and others who are no longer generally remembered, but Little has also latched on to Baby Boomer-friendly characters, such as Edith Bunker, Kermit the Frog, Robin Leach and Dr. Ruth Westheimer, to name a few.
Some of his favorite current impressions are of stars Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sylvester Stallone, Jack Nicholson and Clint Eastwood. “They’re easy to do,” he says. “They are larger than life.”
Little says, “an impression is what you think a person sounds like. It could be an exaggeration or a cartoon. It’s your impression. I think of an impersonation as more of an exact copy. Knowing the person personally is not important; it’s knowing the speech patterns and mannerisms [in order] to imitate the person the way the public sees him.”
The son of a doctor in Ottawa, Little started his “career” at the age of 12 when he answered back to his teachers in their own voices. Impressions came in handy to Little, while working as a disc jockey and talk show host. During one April Fool’s Day marathon, he had “Jimmy Durante” emcee the morning show, “James Mason” was a rock ‘n’ roll deejay and “Elvis Presley” hosted an afternoon program. Like the infamous 1939 broadcast of “War of the Worlds,” 500 autograph-hungry Elvis-believing fans besieged the station, thinking the King was really there.
Appearances on TV variety shows starring Ed Sullivan, Jackie Gleason, Glen Campbell and Dean Martin followed, as well as on series such as Laugh-In, The John Davidson Summer Show and The Julie Andrews Show. Little also had his own variety show in the 70s and was the star of the TV show KopyKats. Little was a guest host early on for The Tonight Show, hosting 12 times. He quickly became a household name sitting in one of the Hollywood Squares and has also appeared on the Oak Ridge Boys Variety Special.
Named “Comedy Star of the Year” by the American Guild of Variety Artists. The perpetrator of nine comedy albums and three HBO comedy specials, as well as Emmy-award winning special “Rich Little’s Christmas Carol” with “W.C. Fields” as Scrooge, “Humphrey Bogart” as one of the ghosts and “Paul Lynde” as Bob Cratchit.
His latest appearance on HBO was as Johnny Carson in the movie The Late Shift, which dealt with the race to succeed Carson on The Tonight Show. Little has appeared on the daytime soaps The Young and the Restless and Santa Barbara. He has made dramatic guest shots on Fantasy Island, Chips, Murder She Wrote, Hawaii Five-O, MacGyver, Police Woman and Mannix.
In a GQ magazine fashion spread, Little was pictured as Richard Nixon, Jack Nicholson, Cary Grant, George Burns, Ronald Reagan and Humphrey Bogart. In an Oscar pre-cast of ABC’s Primetime (with Diane Sawyer and Sam Donaldson) he spoofed classic movies, proposing how they would end with different casts, starring Little as “Bette Midler” for Scarlett O’Hara and “Arnold Schwarzenegger” for Hamlet.
Over the years Little has been active with children’s charities and he was co-host of the Canadian division of the Children’s Miracle Network. He was inducted into the Miami Children’s Hospital International Pediatrics Hall of Fame for his tireless efforts in fundraising on behalf of children. In June 1998, Little’s star was added to the Canadian Walk of Fame to go along with his current star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

For Tickets to Rich Little and all the “Moon River Weekends” Shows at the Andy Williams Moon River Theatre in 2013, call 800-MOON-094 or visit AndyWilliams.com

The Reeds Spring R-IV School Foundation is thrilled to announce their third annual major fundraising effort: “PACK NIGHT at the Dixie Stampede Dinner Attraction” on Friday, March 8th, 2013. The show begins at 8:00 p.m. but the festivities start earlier with an All-Star Silent Auction at 6:30. All of the evening’s proceeds will benefit the Reeds Spring R-IV School Foundation which focuses on granting continuing education scholarships to Reeds Spring students and classroom enrichment mini-grants to teachers. In addition to the 2013 Dixie Stampede Dinner Attraction show, NFL Hall of Famer Jackie Smith will address those in attendance with a message about educational excellence and reaching for a championship. Smith played Tight End during a fifteen year NFL career with the St. Louis Cardinals and Dallas Cowboys. He participated in five Pro Bowls and played in Super Bowl XIII with Dallas.

Tickets for the event are divided into two categories. The “White Circle” seats are $25 each. The “Red Circle” VIP seats will be located closer to the arena and are $50 each. Individuals who purchase tickets in the “Red” section will have the opportunity to attend a VIP reception with Jackie Smith beginning at 6:30 p.m. These ticket prices are a great opportunity for the local community to see the new 2013 Dixie Stampede Dinner Attraction show while helping a truly worthy cause.

“We are honored that Dixie Stampede Dinner Attraction has offered to provide us such an amazing opportunity to raise money for our kids” states Jim Holt, Chairman of the Reeds Spring R-IV Foundation Board. “We are looking forward to a wonderful evening of entertainment, great food and incredible messages. I am also particularly excited about the items we are seeing come in for our Silent Auction. We truly hope the community comes out and supports these great kids of our area.”

Tickets are currently available at each of the Reeds Spring School offices. The school offices may be reached by calling (417) 272-8173.

About Dixie Stampede
Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede is a unique dinner and show experience set in a giant 35,000-square-foot arena featuring 32 magnificent horses, a stampede of buffalo, Rumble In The Treetops lumberjack relay, thrilling horsemanship, pageantry, romance and patriotism, all showcased in a friendly rivalry between North and South and served with a fabulous four-course feast.

Dixie Stampede Dinner Attractions operate in two popular vacation destinations: Pigeon Forge, Tennessee and Branson, Missouri. They also operate Pirates Voyage; Fun, Feast & Adventure in Myrtle Beach, SC. For more information regarding show times and ticket prices, call 1-800-520-5544 or visit online at www.dixiestampede.com or www.piratesvoyage.com.
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Hooray for Hollywood!

Opens TONIGHT! Fri. March 1, 2013 at 8pm

It’s the all singing, all dancing Movie Musical Hooray for Hollywood!

Featuring the most famous song and dance moments of the last 50 years of movie history- recreated live on stage at the King’s Castle Theatre.

Join us as we take you on a nostalgic journey through the most popular movie musicals of the last 50 years. You will see film clips of your favorite movies, and then watch the action unfold, live on stage, as our wonderful cast of singers and dancers perform the greatest song and dance from the greatest movies- live in concert.

With the magic of today’s’ technology, King’s Castle Theatre will make you feel as if you are a part of that magical movie scene.

Produced by the award winning production team that brought

Spirit of the Dance and Broadway! The Star-Spangled Celebration to Branson-

Hooray for Hollywood! Is the number one must see show.

Featuring highlights from famous movies, from Singin’ in the Rain, Grease, Titanic to Disney’s “The Lion King”, this all new, all singing and dancing production will thrill and excite you as your favorite movie moments actually come to life before your eyes!

Hooray for Hollywood!

Now that’s Entertainment!

King’s Castle Theatre is also home of the amazing harmonies of The Twelve Irish Tenors,

New Jersey Nights, the music of Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons, New for 2013

Dancing Queen, the music of ABBA as well as many other 70’s hits and the most festive musical holiday production of Christmas In Hollywood!

King’s Castle Theatre

2701 W 76 Country Blvd

Branson, MO 65616

www.kingscastletheatre.com

King’s Castle Theatre has an exciting anouncement regarding our Tribute to the Four Seasons & Beach Boys Show.      

Owner Producer Mr. David King once again wows audiences with his latest production New Jersey Nights! Jetting around the globe and selling out theaters from Reno to 14 select venues in England, Monaco, Myrtle Beach, Niagara Falls just to name a few!

New Jersey Nights, takes a nostalgic trip down memory lane to celebrate the hit songs of Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons, whose fascinating story unfolds in our production style journey through history.

The hit songs of this amazing group are the stars of the show.  Audiences everywhere simply love the music and sing along to the hits they know so well! This show delivers first class musical arrangements, perfect harmonies, authentic costumes and custom sets.  Combine that with all the Four Seasons greatest hits, including: Sherry, Rag Doll, My Eyes Adored You, Can’t Take My Eyes Off You, Big Girls Don’t Cry, Walk Like A Man, Oh What a Night and you are guaranteed a show you will never forget!

It is with all this we say goodbye to America’s first, best Rock Band – our tribute to The Beach Boys. We enjoyed and were honored to share their music with our customers in 2012 yet know this modification will be appreciated for many years to come.

King’s Castle Theatre is also home of the amazing harmonies of The Twelve Irish Tenors, and Hooray for Hollywood!  New in 2013-ABBA’s Greatest Hits Dancing Queen and the most festive musical holiday production of Christmas in Hollywood!

King’s Castle Theatre

www.Kingscastletheatre.com