Four members of the 1940s all-girl Sharon Rogers Band will attend Veterans Week activities in Branson, MO, to launch the story of their Pacific USO tour in the waning days of WWII and the early days of the Japanese occupation. The book is titled The Sharon Rogers Band: Laughed Together, Cried Together, Crashed & Almost Died Together.

At the request of the USO, the band agreed to join the USO. In the summer of 1945, they traveled first to Hawaii, and then to the Philippines, arriving in Manila as the war was ending.

After touring throughout the Philippines, they traveled, at General MacArthur’s request, to Japan. They played throughout Japan. They attended General Yamashita’s war crimes trial, went to Hiroshima, visited military hospitals, served in mess halls, and played to more than 100,000 Allied troops.

After their last performance in Korea, they headed back to Japan. Bad weather, low fuel and bombed-out airfields forced the pilot, Joe Zinno, to ditch the plane in the Sea of Japan. All aboard survived and were rescued by Japanese fishermen.
Joe Zinno will join the band members in introducing their book.

They will sign books at the WWII Reunion at the College of the Ozarks on November 6, and throughout the week at Veterans Village.

Plan to capitalize on the opportunity to meet these charming ladies, hear their story and take home a signed copy of their book.

The Branson Veterans Task Force will host the Opening Show and Closing Ceremony for Veterans Week. A fundraiser for the Branson Veterans Task Force, a VIP Luncheon with Lt. Col. Oliver North, is planned for November 11, 12 noon at the Chateau on the Lake. The week is packed with new activities and old favorites.

Associated Artists of Branson will produce three of the Veterans Week activities beginning with the Opening Show at 2:00pm on Thursday, November 5 at the Mansion Theatre and ending with the Closing Show at 1:00pm on Wednesday, November 11 at the Starlite Theater.

For the Vets, official opening kickoff for Branson Veterans Week activities. This 2-hour production show begins at 2:00pm at the Mansion Theatre. Admission is free. Tickets will be available the day of the show at the Mansion Box Office. Featured performers include The Oak Ridge Boys, Cathy Rigby, Hughes Brothers, Barbara Fairchild and Roy Morris, Premiere Dance Academy, The Chinese Acrobats and many more. This year’s production features several original dance numbers from a professional dance troupe provided by Midwest Dance Academy. Branson Mayor Raeanne Presley will welcome veterans and their guests to Branson. The Branson Stars & Flags Book Awards will be presented to authors of the award-winning books.

Come early to assure the best seating. Doors open at 12:30 PM. Plan to have your picture taken before the show with a LIVE Bald Eagle in the lobby of the Mansion.

VIP Luncheon with Lt. Col. Oliver North on November 11 at 12 noon at the Chateau on the Lake Resort. Reservations are limited to the first 100. The luncheon mixer is a fundraiser for the Branson Veterans Task Force. The $125 donation is tax-deductible. Attendees will personally meet Lt. Col. North, have a photo opportunity with him, and receive an autographed copy of his new book. Call 417-337-8387 or 417-699-6199 for reservations.

Official Closing Ceremony at the Starlite Theater on Veterans Day, November 11 at 1:00pm. Celebrity appearances include Lt. Col. Oliver North, Moe Bandy, Clay Cooper, and Jim Barber. Mayor Raeanne Presley will speak. Admission is free but advance reservations are recommended. Call 417-337-9333. The College of the Ozarks Jazz Band will perform in the theater’s atrium lobby beginning at 12 noon.

For more information on the complete list of activities, visit www.bransonveterans.com.

The Branson Veterans Task Force honors veterans every day of the year. For more information about this and other veteran-related events, contact the Branson Veterans Task Force at 1-417.337.8387 (417.337.VETS) or visit www.bransonveterans.com.

They were hand-picked by Louise Harrison, sister of the late George Harrison of the Beatles, to recreate the famous band and this week the Liverpool Legends are the guests on the “Gene Williams Country Music Television Show” to be telecast Oct. 24 and 25.

“The Liverpool Legends return to my show for a chat and announcement that the band will be finishing this season in Branson at the Starlite Theatre and moving to the Manson in 2010. The band has toured the world, playing in historic venues such as Carnegie Hall, The Cavern Club in Liverpool, recording at the famed Abbey Road Studios in London and performing with Denny Laine (co-founder of Wings with Paul McCartney), Pete Best (the original Beatles drummer) and the Boston Pops. They appeared on The Travel Channel’s “Beatlemania Britain” and headlined International Beatles Week in Liverpool where 100,000 Beatles fans jammed Victoria Street to hear them in concert,” said Williams, the star and creator of the “Gene Williams Country TV Show.”

The show is co-hosted by Katie Lynn who has received the Branson Entertainment Awards Best Support Vocalist twice for her work in the “Mickey Gilley Show.” She has worked with Gilley for more than 10 years and also worked with Jim Owen for seven years. She is finishing her fifth CD release titled Me and Jesus Laughing. In addition to her singing career, she is a real estate agent.

The 3rd Annual Festival of Hope for MDA at the Starlite Theatre is a one performance special benefit event on Sunday October 11 from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. The events include Hors D’oeuvres, raffle, live auction and entertainment provided by The Baldknobbers, Clay Cooper, Country Tonite, Barbara Fairchild, The Lennon Sisters, The Liverpool Legends, Deana Martin, Bill Medley, The Platters, Ambrus Presley, The Rankin Brothers, Collin Raye, Spirit of the Dance and Kirby Van Burch.

The Hors D’oeuvres will be provided by: American Grill, Andy’s Frozen Custard, Avanzare, Bleu Olive, The Candlestick Inn, Diamond Ridge Market, Famous Dave’s, Flame, Stone Hill Winery, Touch, & Treehouse.

Andy Williams Moon River Grill’s nightly dinner music provides a relaxing and elegant ambiance for dining! Experience Quality Home made food as you unwind with beautifully soothing piano music that will let the cares of the day just slip away!!
Barbara Christy performs on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 4:30 to 7:30pm.
You can take Pleasure in the Musical Stylings of Michael Cathcart Friday, Saturday, and Sunday 4:30 to 7:30pm.

Enjoy fabulous entertainment and fine dining at affordable prices at Andy Williams Moon River Grill…….Where the Stars Come Out at Night!!

WANT A PLACE TO SHOW OFF YOUR TALENTS?

BRANSON ARTS COUNICL IS SPONSORING A SENIOR ART SHOW. THE SHOW WILL BE HELD AT THE BRANSON COMMUNITY CENTER, 201 COMPTON DRIVE, ON OCTOBER 23, 9AM-5PM AND OCTOBER 24,9AM-3PM.

FOR MORE INFORMATION AND REGISTRATION FORMS PLEASE CALL THE OFFICES OF BRANSON ARTS COUNCIL, 417-336-4255.

SET UP FOR THE SHOW WILL BE BY 9AM ON OCTOBER 23RD.

IT IS THE PLEASURE OF THE BRANSON ARTS COUNCIL TO ANNOUNCIE THE FIRST COMMUNITY CONCERT OF THE SEASON. IT WILL AGAIN BE HELD AT OLD STONE CHURCH, ON SUNDAY, OCTOBER 18TH AT 2 P.M.

BRUCE CHIDESTER AND THE “BRANSON TRUMPET ENSEMBLE” WILL BE PERFORMING. AS ALWAYS, THE CONCERT IS FREE OF CHARGE.

SEE YOU THERE!

BRANSON ARTS COUNCIL IS SPONSORING A BLOWN GLASS ORNAMENT CLASS. IT WILL BE TAUGHT BY GLASS ARTIST, KENNETH MARINE.

THE CLASS WILL BE HELD ON SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 21ST, AT KENNETH MARINE GLASS STUDIO ON HWY 165 NEAR SCOOP ICE CREAM. THERE WILL BE TWO SESSIONS, 10AM TO 1 PM OR 1:30 PM TO 4:30PM. THERE IS A $50.00 FEE FOR THE CLASS.

FOR INFORMATION AND REGISTRATION PLEASE CONTACT, BONNIE, AT THE BRANSON ARTS COUNCIL OFFICE, 417-336-4255, LOCATED AT 201 COMPTON DRIVE.

COME ONE, COME ALL TO THE FIRST FRIDAY OF THE MONTH ARTS AND CRAFTS CLASS. CHRISTMAS IS COMING!

OCTOBER 2,2009…SOAP MAKING…$5.00 FOR SUPPLIES
NOVEMBER 6,2009…BEAD WATCHES FOR CHRISTMAS…$5.00
DECEMBER 4,2009…QUILTER POT HOLDER…$10.00

THE CLASSES WILL BE HELD AT THE BRANSON SENIOR CENTER, 201 COMPTON DRIVE, FROM 10 A.M. UNTIL 1 P.M.

FOR MORE INFORMATION OR REGISTRATION, PLEASE CALL BONNIE AT THE BRANSON ARTS COUNCIL OFFICE, 417-336-4255.

Branson impressionist Mike Walker is the next guest on the “Gene Williams Country Music Television Show” to be telecast Oct. 3 and 4.

“My friend Mike Walker has mastered over 150 different voices including presidents, actors, cartoon characters, and singers ranging from Johnny Cash, Ray Charles, Michael Jackson, and Michael Bolton. Mike has even mastered me! He is the only artist to perform on the Graceland estate. He’s a wonderful talent and a great guest. I am happy to have him return as my guest and taking time out from his busy schedule performing at the God and Country Theatre,” said Williams, the star and creator of the “Gene Williams Country TV Show” which was taped live in Branson, Mo., for the past eight years and recently was moved to be taped live in the NBC affiliate KY3 Studios in Springfield, Mo., and will continue to feature the shows and stars from Branson and country music.