Branson and White Water will be the site of a unique 5k/10k run, and one mile walk where the participants have a chance afterwards to cool down at White Water with a one day pass….DASH TO THE SPLASH! All proceeds go to support Single Moms through the Caring People, a local ministry that reaches out to Single Moms with unconditional love and support. Branson and Springfield and surrounding cities host 17 care groups supported by the organization and area sponsors where the Single Moms and their children meet each week. Many of the locations provide a full meal for the moms and their children, in addition to mentoring provided by a mature, caring, Christian woman in each group. 2009 Female Magician of the Decade (Merlin Awards) Bambi van Burch, will be on hand to start the race. Bambi is also donating a free pass to her show for each runner along with a backstage pass to see their famous white tigers.

Sponsors for the race include : Redeemed Music and Books, Bambi van Burch, Integrity Home Care, Oxford HealthCare, IMAX Theater, Golden Corral, Empire Electric, Starbucks, Century Tel, First Impressions Printing, and Ridgerunner Sports. Participants can register via three places: www.active.com, Ridgerunner Sports in Springfield, or by calling the Caring People office 417-334-0131.

Cost is $30.00 or $17.00 each for a team of four. Runners will receive a prizes and a goodie bag worth well over $100 in value from area retailers. Come support this great cause and encourage Single Moms in southwest Missouri! You can make a difference.

The only thing bigger than the 2,800 scoops of ice cream given away during the recent Free Cone Day by Ben & Jerry’s Scoop Shop of Branson were the notes sung by local members of Missouri Kids, a division of American Kids, the nation’s only little league of entertainers.

Young performers took the outdoor “stage” between Ben & Jerry’s and Shorty Small’s on the deck of the marina at Branson Landing and entertained the crowds of people either waiting in line for or enjoying their free scoop of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream. In the process more than $250 were raised to help the nonprofit purchase a portable sound system for performances at various locations such as retirement homes and other community events.

“Basically, Free Cone Day is our birthday party, but we like to share the presents. The celebration is more than just a chance to get a free scoop. It is also an opportunity to involve the community at large to demonstrate the company’s commitment to giving back,” said Brandon Karn, owner of the Branson Ben & Jerry’s Scoop Shop. In addition to Missouri Kids, the non-profit Tri-Lakes Humane Society also participated and raised approximately $250 also.

Missouri Kids will again be performing at the Ben & Jerry’s location for Missouri Kids Show Daze on June 11 and July 14 and 16 will feature local young entertainers in 20 minute shows 1-3 p.m. A portion of the proceeds from ice cream sales during the two-hour periods will be donated to American Kids Inc. Plans are in the works for more performances by invitation of Shorty Small’s and Ben & Jerry’s.

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A member of the Branson Chamber of Commerce, the 27 year-old American Kids Inc. is the nation’s only ‘little league’ of entertainers celebrating what’s right about America promoting drug-free lifestyles, patriotism and community service. The group’s founder, Dr. Dale Smith, holds a doctorate in administration-education and masters in music education. Young people, ages 3 to high school seniors join American Kids just like adults join a civic club. In the program, they find a peer group all involved in making a difference in the world by using the performing arts as the vehicle. Competition is held on a local to state to national level. Shows range from fairs, festivals and theme parks on a national and international scale to the touring cast of Raising America, a patriotic musical. Members enjoy exposure, growth, character development and opportunity. Because of the experience gained from being on stage, members are better prepared for whatever they choose to do in life. Many members are performing on Broadway and on tour, with Disney and in Branson and Nashville: Kristin Chenoweth, Bryan White, Jarrod Neimann and Blake Shelton are alumni. The group is affiliated with Ed McMahon, Barbara Fairchild, Randy Earhart and Taco Mayo, and Golden Corral.

The first Ben & Jerry’s Scoop Shop in Branson, Mo., isn’t just any scoop shop. It’s floating over the cool waters of Lake Taneycomo on the Marina at Branson Landing. With 30 fabulous Ben & Jerry’s flavors to choose from, that makes it the largest ice cream float in the world. 7 North Boardwalk, Suite C, Branson, MO 65616 417-339-CONE (2663)

BRANSON, Mo., May 19 – The Army Corps of Engineers will conduct a boating use study on Table Rock Lake between Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends to gather information about recreational boating and the perceptions and preferences of boaters.  Corps officials urge boaters to participate in surveys when asked so the agency can better serve the boating public in the future.

Boaters will be surveyed by contractors working for the Corps.  The surveys will primarily be exit interviews of boaters at randomly selected public launching facilities around Table Rock Lake.  Also, the survey questionnaire will be mailed to a randomly selected sample population of adjacent landowners, marina customers and private boat slip owners on the lake.

Using scientific methods, the study will examine not only boater preferences but also how the natural and social environments, as well as Corps management practices, influence boaters in the areas of the lake they frequent.

The survey will include questions about place of origin, travel time and cost, frequency of visits, length of stay, and other activities enjoyed.  There will be questions about the types and sizes of boats used, as well as the use of ramps, docks, or existing or prospective marina facilities.  It will include questions about recreational experiences and perceptions including crowding, congestion, boat docks, shoreline erosion, noise, lake usage, aesthetics, water quality, no wake zones, use patterns, competing uses (fishing vs. water-skiing, etc.), crime, boat speed and other issues.

Boat counts will be taken on the lake to detect congested areas.  The times and dates of the counts will be determined by a scientific random sampling method.  Lake surface zones will be used to describe where congestion is the most prevalent.

The survey will help determine how development, competing uses and other issues can affect the safety and enjoyment of visitors and residents.  This information will assist lake managers in preparing for an Environmental Impact Study prior to updating the Shoreline Management Plan for Table Rock Lake if funding becomes available.  The EIS is a required step in the update.  The data will also be valuable in updating the Table Rock Lake Master Plan.

A second introduction meeting of the Branson Wedding Association has been set for Friday, May 22, at 10 a.m. at Lodge of the Ozarks, 3431 W. Hwy. 76, in Club Vegas.

“We had a great turn out at the launch with more than 40 in attendance. Branson Mayor Rae Anne Presley showed her support of the new association and opened the meeting. Because of the strong support, we have been asked to hold a second meeting for those who were unable to attend the charter launch. All are invited to attend our second meeting, but no solicitation materials will be allowed at this time,” said Baltajy Smith, who, along with her husband, Dr. Dale Smith, has founded the new organization.

Individuals and businesses interested in making Branson a more nationally recognized destination for weddings, honeymoons and anniversaries and providers of those services throughout the Ozarks are invited to learn more about the group, its goals and how to be involved. Information will be provided on how wedding related businesses working together can build Branson into an even bigger and better wedding and honeymoon destination.

Branson Wedding Association is a spin-off from meetings of the group sales and public relations departments of the Branson Chamber of Commerce.

Branson Wedding Association/Ozark Wedding Association’s website, bransonweddingassociation.com, explains the goals and membership guidelines and has ‘information to help make your romantic occasion an event to remember, no matter what your budget or style.”

“Those who represent facilities and other places where ceremonies and receptions can be held; vendors such as professional planners, florists, photographers, caterers, formal shops, musicians and transportation companies; lodging; vacation packages; recreation including shows, attractions, restaurants and special events are needed to make this association successful,” Kathy Baltajy Smith said.

For more information call 417-334-3013.

Branson, MO— Mr. Gail Myer, Vice President of Operations for Myer Hotels and governor for Best Western International, has been honored with the hotel chain’s All Star Governor’s Award. The award recognizes overall participation within the brand and involvement with the local hospitably industry. The award was presented at Best Western International’s annual Governor’s Conference recently held in New Orleans, La, in front of more than 200 industry peers.

The award winners, chosen by Best Western International’s board of directors, recognized a total of 14 out of 195 Best Western Governors. A Governor is a selected owner/operator that serves on a committee to help build the brand. Current Governors are required to meet specific criteria and responsibilities and are to act as liaisons between Best Western’s board of directors and Best Western owners/operators within the geographic regions covered by the respective appointments.

“We are very pleased with Gail Myer’s commitment to the brand, and his recent recognition for the All Star Governor’s Award,” said Bonnie McPeake, chairwoman of Best Western’s Board of Directors. “His strong leadership skills and dedication to his hotel and community is an asset to our brand. We are proud of his achievements.”

Myer has been active in the hospitality industry since the early 1980’s. He is currently, on the Executive Marketing Committee for Best Western International, past Vice Chairman of the E-commerce Committee for Best Western, Board Member of the Missouri Hotel and Lodging Association, past President of the Missouri Travel Council, Board Member of the Branson/Lakes Area Lodging Association, and Member of the Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce.

ABOUT MYER HOTELS
In the lodging business for 40 years, the Myer family has actively contributed to Branson’s hospitality market for over 25 years and received numerous national awards. Myer Hotels includes the Best Western Center Pointe Inn, Best Western Music Capital Inn, Comfort Inn at Thousand Hills, Comfort Inn & Suites Branson Meadows and Comfort Inn West. The properties emphasize excellent locations, countless amenities and exceptional customer service while focusing on great value in the upper mid-scale area. For more information about these hotels please visit www.myerhotels.com.

The New Best of Gene Williams Country Music TV Show returns with The “Cajun” Wade Benson Landry on this week’s telecast of the weekly television show based in Branson, Mo., and seen across the country.

Gene Williams, the star and creator of the Telly Award-winning show that was taped live at the 50’s at the Hop Theatre at the Shoppes at Branson Meadows, said, “Wade is the ultimate entertainer and one of the best. He has performed with some of Country music’s giants, such as Jimmy C. Newman, Loretta Lynn, The Oak Ridge Boys, Dolly Parton, Porter Wagoner, George Jones and Tammy Wynette and Mel Tillis and appeared regularly on television shows such as PBS Live from the Grand Ole Opry, the 1980 CMA Awards Show, the Anheuser-Busch Special Reach for the Stars with Bob Hope, NBC’s Tonight Show, Nashville Now and the Academy of Country Music Awards Show. In Branson he is the headliner for the only Cajun Swing show.”

The TV show with Landry will be telecast May 23 and 24. (EDITOR’S CHECK LISTINGS BELOW). For more information go to the website genewilliamscountry.com.
Williams was recently released from the hospital and has been taking a break from the hectic schedule he has had for eight years in Branson. A hiatus from regular taping has been recommended. He and Katie Lynn recently returned to the studio to tape updates for The New Best of the Gene Williams Country Music TV Show that will include a weekly guitar giveaway courtesy of All Star Music of Jonesboro and Batesville, Ark., and Poplar Bluff, Mo.

The show is aired in Springfield, Branson, Little Rock, Jonesboro, Ark., Nashville, St. Louis, Decatur, Ill., Ada and Ardmore, Okla., Sherman/Denison, Texas, plus on all the stations of the Retro Television Network including 11 of the top 30 markets in the nation.

Show Telecast Schedule – Location Call Letters Network Day Time

Ada, OK KTEN NBC Sunday 11 p.m. CT
Albany, NY WTEN RTN Sunday 9:30 a.m ET
Alexandria, LA KWCE RTN Sunday 6:30 a.m. CT
Altoona, PA WJAC RTN Sunday 7:30 a.m. ET
Ames, IA WOI RTN Sunday 5 p.m. CT
Appleton, WI WBAY RTN Sunday 9:30 a.m. CT
Atlanta, GA WSB RTN Saturday 6:30 a.m. ET
Augusta, GA WJBF RTN Sunday 7:30 a.m. ET
Austin, TX KEYE RTN Sunday 1:30 a.m CT
Baton Rouge, LA KZUP RTN Sunday 6:30 a.m. CT
Bellevue, WA KIRO RTN Saturday 6:30 a.m. PT
Bettendorf, IA WHBF RTN Sunday 5 p.m. CT
Branson, MO KCZ CW Sat., Sun. 6:30 a.m. CT
Branson, MO KWBM MY Sunday 10:30 p.m. CT
Bremerton, WA KIRO RTN Saturday 6:30 a.m. PT
Bristol County, MA WJAR RTN Sunday 7:30 a.m. ET
Bristol, TN WKPT RTN Sunday 5 p.m. ET
Bristol, VA WKPT RTN Sunday 5 p.m. ET
Brownsville, TX KRGV RTN Sunday 6:30 a.m. CT
Bullhead City, AZ KAZT RTN Sunday 8:30 a.m. MT
Carrborro WRAZ RTN Sunday 9:30 a.m. ET
Cary, NC WRAZ RTN Sunday 9:30 a.m. ET
Casa Grande, AZ KAZT RTN Sunday 8:30 a.m. MT
Cashmere, WA KIRO RTN Saturday 6:30 a.m. PT
Cedar Rapids, IA KWWL RTN Saturday 6:30 a.m. CT
Central FL WRDQ RTN Sunday 9:30 a.m ET
Centralia, WA KIRO RTN Saturday 6:30 a.m. PT
Chapel Hill, NC WRAZ RTN Sunday 9:30 a.m. ET
Chattanooga, TN WRCB RTN Saturday 10 a.m ET
Clayton, NC WRAZ RTN Sunday 9:30 a.m. ET
Coshocton, PA WTOV RTN Sunday 7:30 a.m. ET
Davenport, IA WHBF RTN Sunday 5 p.m. CT
Decatur, IL WPXS Ind. Sunday 9:30 p.m. CT
Dennison, TX KTEN NBC Sunday 11 p.m. CT
Des Moines, IA WOI RTN Sunday 5 p.m. CT
Detroit, MI WXYZ RTN Sunday 5:30 a.m. ET
Dubuque, IA KWWL RTN Saturday 6:30 a.m. CT
Durham, NC WRAZ RTN Sunday 9:30 a.m. ET
Edmonds, WA KIRO RTN Saturday 6:30 a.m. PT
El Paso, TX KFOX RTN Sunday 6:30 a.m. CT
Essex Co., Ontario WNWO RTN Sunday 9:30 a.m. ET
Evansville, IN WEHT RTN Sunday 9:30 a.m. CT
Everett, WA KIRO RTN Saturday 6:30 a.m. PT
Fayetteville, AR KFDF THIS Sunday 9:30 a.m. CT
Fayetteville, NC WRAZ RTN Sunday 9:30 a.m. ET
Flagstaff, AZ KAZT RTN Sunday 8:30 a.m. MT
Fox Cities, WI WBAY RTN Sunday 9:30 a.m. CT
Fresno, CA KAIL RTN Sunday 9:30 a.m. PT
Garner, NC WRAZ RTN Sunday 9:30 a.m. ET
Green Bay, WI WBAY RTN Sunday 9:30 a.m. CT
Greensburg, PA WTOV RTN Sunday 7:30 a.m. ET
Harrisburg, IL WPXS Ind. Sunday 9:30 p.m. CT
Harrisburg, PA WHTM RTN Sunday 9:30 a.m. ET
Harrison, AR KWBM MY Sunday 10:30 p.m. CT
Henderson, KY WEHT RTN Sunday 9:30 a.m. CT
Huntsville, AL WHNT RTN Sunday 6:30 a.m. CT
Hutchinson, KS KGPT RTN Sunday 6:30 a.m. CT
Issaquah, WA KIRO RTN Saturday 6:30 a.m. PT
Jackson, MS WJTV RTN Sunday 6:30 a.m. CT
Johnson City, TN WKPT RTN Sunday 5 p.m. ET
Johnstown, PA WJAC RTN Sunday 7:30 a.m. ET
Jonesboro, AR KAIT ABC Saturday 5 p.m. CT
Kaukauna, WI WBAY RTN Sunday 9:30 a.m. CT
Kingman, AZ KAZT RTN Sunday 8:30 a.m. MT
Kingsport, TN WKPT RTN Sunday 5 p.m. ET
Knoxville, TN WMAK RTN Saturday 10 a.m ET
Lafayette, LA KDCG RTN Sunday 1 a.m. CT
Lake Havasu City, AZ KAZT RTN Sunday 8:30 a.m. MT
Las Vegas, NV KEGS Ind. Sunday 9:30 a.m. PT
Leavenworth, WA KIRO RTN Saturday 6:30 a.m. PT
Lincoln, NE KLKN RTN Sunday 5 p.m. CT
Little Rock, AR KARK NBC Saturday 6 a.m. CT
Lynchburg, VA WSET RTN Saturday 6:30 a.m. ET
Macon, GA WSB RTN Saturday 6:30 a.m. ET
Madison, WI WKOW RTN Sunday 6:30 a.m. CT
McAllen, TX KRGV RTN Sunday 6:30 a.m. CT
Memphis, TN WLMT RTN/ABC Sunday 6:30 a.m. CT
Menasha, WI WBAY RTN Sunday 9:30 a.m. CT
Meridian, MS WGBC RTN Sunday 6:30 a.m. CT
Mobile, AL WKRG RTN Sunday 9:30 a.m. CT
Moline, IL WHBF RTN Sunday 5 p.m. CT
Montgomery, AL WSFA RTN Sunday 9:30 a.m. CT
Myrtle Beach, SC WBTW RTN Sunday 7:30 a.m. ET
Nashville, TN WNAB CW Saturday Midnight CT
NE WI WBAY RTN Sunday 9:30 a.m. CT
Neah Bay, WA KIRO RTN Saturday 6:30 a.m. PT
Neenah, WI WBAY RTN Sunday 9:30 a.m. CT
Northwest AR KFDF THIS Sunday 9:30 a.m. CT
NW Ohio WNWO RTN Sunday 9:30 a.m. ET
NW Ohio WXYZ RTN Sunday 5:30 a.m. ET
Olympia, WA KIRO RTN Saturday 6:30 a.m. PT
Opelousas, LA KDCG RTN Sunday 1 a.m. CT
Orlando, FL WRDQ RTN Sunday 9:30 a.m ET
Palm Springs, CA KRET RTN Sunday 1 a.m. PT
Pensacola, FL WKRG RTN Sunday 9:30 a.m. CT
Phoenix, AZ KAZT RTN Sunday 8:30 a.m. MT
Pittsburgh, PA WPXI RTN Sunday 2 a.m. ET
Point Pulley, WA KIRO RTN Saturday 6:30 a.m. PT
Port Angeles, WA KIRO RTN Saturday 6:30 a.m. PT
Prescott, AZ KAZT RTN Sunday 8:30 a.m. MT
Puyallup, WA KIRO RTN Saturday 6:30 a.m. PT
Quad Cities, IL WHBF RTN Sunday 5 p.m. CT
Raleigh, NC WRAZ RTN Sunday 9:30 a.m. ET
Rapid City, SD KOTA RTN Sunday 7:30 a.m. ET
Rehoboth Beach, DE WRDE RTN Sunday 7:30 a.m. ET
Reno, NV KRXI RTN Sunday 9:30 a.m. PT
Renton, WA KIRO RTN Saturday 6:30 a.m. PT
Rhode Island WJAR RTN Sunday 7:30 a.m. ET
Ringgold, TN WRCB RTN Saturday 10 a.m ET
Rio Grande Valley KRGV RTN Sunday 6:30 a.m. CT
Roanoke, VA WSET RTN Saturday 6:30 a.m. ET
Rock Island, IL WHBF RTN Sunday 5 p.m. CT
Rosslyn, Arlington, VA WJLA RTN Saturday 6:30 a.m. ET
Rowley, IA KWWL RTN Saturday 6:30 a.m. CT
S SC WSAV RTN Sunday 7:30 a.m. ET
S. Padre Island KRGV RTN Sunday 6:30 a.m. CT
San Luis Obispo, CA KEYT RTN Sunday 4:30 a.m. PT
Santa Barbara, CA KEYT RTN Sunday 4:30 a.m. PT
Santa Maria, CA KEYT RTN Sunday 4:30 a.m. PT
Savannah, GA WSAV RTN Sunday 7:30 a.m. ET
Schenectady, NY WTEN RTN Sunday 9:30 a.m ET
Scottsdale, AZ KAZT RTN Sunday 8:30 a.m. MT
SE GA WSAV RTN Sunday 7:30 a.m. ET
SE MI WXYZ RTN Sunday 5:30 a.m. ET
SE Michigan WNWO RTN Sunday 9:30 a.m. ET
Seattle, WA KIRO RTN Saturday 6:30 a.m. PT
Sevierville, TN WMAK RTN Saturday 10 a.m. ET
Sharon, PA WTOV RTN Sunday 7:30 a.m. ET
Shelton, WA KIRO RTN Saturday 6:30 a.m. PT
Sherman, TX KTEN NBC Sunday 11 p.m. CT
Shreveport, LA KSHV RTN Sunday 6:30 a.m. CT
S IL WPXS Ind. Sunday 9:30 p.m. CT
Sistersville, WV WTOV RTN Sunday 7:30 a.m. ET
Smithfield, NC WRAZ RTN Sunday 9:30 a.m. ET
Springfield, MO KCZ CW Sat., Sun. 6:30 a.m CT
Springfield, MO KWBM MY Sunday 10:30 p.m. CT
St. Louis WPXS Ind. Sunday 9:30 p.m. CT
State College, PA WJAC RTN Sunday 7:30 a.m. ET
Stubenville, OH WTOV RTN Sunday 7:30 a.m. ET
Susquehanna Valley, PA WHTM RTN Sunday 9:30 a.m. ET
SW Ontario WXYZ RTN Sunday 5:30 a.m. ET
Tacoma, WA KIRO RTN Saturday 6:30 a.m. PT
Toledo, Ohio WNWO RTN Sunday 9:30 a.m. ET
Toledo, Ohio WXYZ RTN Sunday 5:30 a.m. ET
Tri-Cities WKPT RTN Sunday 5 p.m. ET
Troy, NY WTEN RTN Sunday 9:30 a.m ET
Tulsa, OK KTUL RTN Saturday 6:30 a.m. CT
Washington, DC WJLA RTN Saturday 6:30 a.m. ET
Waterloo, IA KWWL RTN Saturday 6:30 a.m. CT
Wheeling, W.V WTOV RTN Sunday 7:30 a.m. ET
Wichita, KS KGPT RTN Sunday 6:30 a.m. CT
Wilkes-Barre, PA WHTM RTN Sunday 9:30 a.m. ET
Windsor, Ontario WNWO RTN Sunday 9:30 a.m. ET
Windsor, Ontario WXYZ RTN Sunday 5:30 a.m. ET
Also seen on WBAY/RTN in Wisconsin, The Fox Cities communities including Town of Buchanan, Town of Clayton, Town of Freedom, Town of Grand Chute, Town of Greenville, Town of Harrison, Village of Combined Locks, Village of Hortonville, Village of Kimberly, Village of Little Chute, and the Village of Sherwood. Sundays at 9:30 a.m. CT Sundays

BransonNightlife.com is a website for live local nightlife in the Branson area. Find where your favorite band is playing, find a karoake hotspot, or where to dance.
Follow us on twitter BransonNiteLife for daily updates. Be in the know!

Mandy Stauffer, cast member of Branson’s 50s at the Hop Show and a long-time member of the Grand Old Gospel Hour Praise Team, will be featured this Sunday at the Grand Old Gospel Hour.  The May 17 venue is free and open to the public at 10 a.m. at Dick Clark’s American Bandstand Theater.

The Grand Old Gospel Hour is a long-time Branson praise and worship venue for tourists and locals alike. The non-profit organization is celebrating 14 years of a fast-paced, contemporary and gospel praise and worship experience in Branson. The free gospel performance features a live band, gospel vocalists and entertaining and inspirational messages by Sam Stauffer. Grand Old Gospel Hour made the move from its former location at the Legends Family Theater to the Dick Clark’s American Bandstand Theater along with the Legends in Concert show.

Amid jokes about being fired and expiring, Gene Williams and his co-host Katie Lynn returned to the studio this week to update the weekly television show taped live in Branson, Mo., the Gene Williams Country Television Show.

Williams was recently released from the hospital and has been taking a break from the hectic weekly television show taping schedule that he has had for eight years in Branson. While a hiatus from regular taping has been recommended, he and Katie Lynn returned to the studio to tape updates for a new series of the Best of the Gene Williams Country Music TV Show.

The pair talked about what has been happening in Branson and announced the continuation of the guitar giveaways sponsored by All Star Music of Jonesboro and Batesville, Ark., and Poplar Bluff, Mo.

Williams also announced the addition of more affiliates on the Retro Television Nework (RTN). The Gene Williams Show is aired in Springfield, Branson, Little Rock, Jonesboro, Ark., Nashville, St. Louis, Decatur, Ill., Ada, Okla., Sherman/Denison, Texas, plus on all the stations of the Retro Television Network including 11 of the top 30 markets in the nation and the network recently added even more affiliates.

RTN first went on the air in July of 2005 in Little Rock with Equity Broadcasting, a station that has supported Williams’ show since its beginning more than 40 years ago. Luken Communications, headquartered in Chattanooga, Tenn., became the new owners in January. The Gene Williams Country Television Show was part of RTN’s main focus in 2008 of the new “Classic Hits All Day – Fresh Talk All Night” format. With the 2009 switch to digital television, RTN added many affiliates in 2007 and 2008. RTN airs classic television programming from the 1950s through the 1980s, and original programming, making Williams part of the line-up along with the likes of James Garner, Tom Selleck, Robert Wagner and Johnny Depp.

The Best of Gene Williams Country Music TV Show returns with one of the Telly Award-winning show’s most historic guests, Johnny Cash’s Tennessee Three, on this week’s telecast of the weekly television show based in Branson, Mo.

“Of all the guests I’ve had on my show, the Tennessee Three is one of my favorites because of my close association with Johnny Cash and the Tennessee Three. Because of the popularity of the movie ‘Walk the Line,’ the Tennessee Three have been discovered by even more fans,” said Gene Williams who grew up with Cash in Dyess, Ark., and worked in country music with Cash himself. “My friends, guitarist Bob Wootton and WS Holland on drums, the longest standing members of Johnny Cash’s band, are carrying on the tradition they started more than 40 years ago.”

Williams is the star and creator of the Telly Award-winning show that was taped live at the 50’s at the Hop Theatre at the Shoppes at Branson Meadows.
The TV show with the Tennessee Three will be telecast May 9 and 10. For more information go to the website genewilliamscountry.com.

Williams was recently released from the hospital and is taking a break from the hectic schedule he has had for eight years in Branson due to health problems. A hiatus from taping has been recommended. The Gene Williams Country Music TV Show will continue to be aired in Springfield, Branson, Little Rock, Jonesboro, Ark., Nashville, St. Louis, Decatur, Ill., Ada and Ardmore, Okla., Sherman/Denison, Texas, plus on RTN which is over 100 stations including 11 of the top 30 markets in the nation.