Branson, MO – Myer Hotels of Branson is pleased to announce that the City of Branson has recognized our organization with a Green Initiative Award. This is the first year that the City of Branson has given the award. Five local businesses were honored for their past and ongoing recycling and energy conservation efforts during the annual Arbor Day/Earth Day Celebration at Branson Landing.

The event was hosted by local celebrity Yakov Smirnoff and the award was presented by Mayor Raeanne Presley to the Myer family.

“At Myer Hotels, God’s environment has always been important to us. We take recycling seriously. A few examples are recycling of all paper, aluminum and scrap metal products, low flow aerator faucets and showers, green friendly linen and towel replacement options for guests, and reuse of laundry detergent containers to grow trees and seedlings.” stated Gail Myer, Vice President of Operations.

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 2009 Songwriters Hall of Fame ceremony was held June 18 at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York. According to Bob Grossweiner & Jane Cohen, “The biggest ovation of the night, went to Andy Williams, who sang “Moon River,” whose songwriters (lyrics by Johnny Mercer, music by Henry Mancini) were honored for “Towering Song,” a song that has lasting impact. Williams is still a mainstay at his theater, the Moon River Theatre, in Branson, MO.”

Inductees that night included Jon Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora, David Crosby, Stephen Stills and Graham Nash, Felix Cavaliere and Eddie Brigati, Galt MacDemott, James Rado and Gerome Ragni. The Songwriters Hall of Fame Virtual Museum can be found at Songhall.org.

“It seems as if kids are everywhere!” will be the word around Branson as young entertainers arrive the second week in July for American Kids Inc. National Finals. In addition to performing in the national membership talent competition and the top 25 AllStar Show at the Baldknobbers Theater, they will also be found around town on various other stages.

The young performers, members of the nation’s only little league of entertainers, have been preparing since January and July 13-17 their efforts will culminate at nationals. They will be competing for more than $9,000 in cash and prizes and the title of Performer of the Year at the American Kids Inc. 2009 National Finals and performing around town in outdoor concerts and pre-shows.

“American Kids Inc. has been showcasing the nation’s talented young performers for 27 years and holding national finals in Branson annually for more than a decade. The support this community has given us is appreciated. This year our young performers will have the opportunity to share their talent gifts in pre-shows and outdoor stages to the tune of more than 150 acts during the week of nationals,” said Dr. Dale Smith, founder of the non-profit group, based in Branson and known as the nation’s only little league of entertainers.

Many American Kids national finalists will be showcased on outdoor stages throughout the week. On July 12, 13 and 18, young performers will be at the Grand Village 2-3 p.m. July 12; 4-5 p.m. and 6-7 p.m. July 13; and 11 a.m.-noon and 5-6 p.m. July 18. On July 14 and 16, they will be performing at Ben & Jerry’s Scoop Shop on the dock at Branson Landing 1:30-3:30 p.m. both days.

American Kids will be featured in pre-shows on July 15 at Hamner Barber Variety Theatre and on July 16 at the Baldknobbers Theatre. Pre-shows are expected to begin about 7:30 p.m.

The entertainer judged as the top performer in the gospel category will be invited to perform on July 19 at the 10 a.m. Grand Old Gospel Hour at Dick Clark’s American Bandstand Theater.

Kids presenting some 250 acts will compete in the membership talent contest judged by an impressive slate of national and celebrity judges. Competition begins at 9 a.m. Monday, Tuesday and Thursday with an awards ceremony on Friday morning. Wednesday has been dedicated to performance workshops rather than competition.

The competition will conclude with the AllStar Show at 2 p.m. Friday, July 17, where 25 of the top acts will be showcased. One winner will be selected as Performer of the Year and receive a $1,500 cash prize and the opportunity to guest star on the Penny Gilley Show on RFD TV. Tickets to the show are $10 and available at the door.

Ozark Mountain Bank’s holding company, Central Bancompany, was recently named one of the Top 25 Performers of 2008 in an article published in the June, 2009, American Bankers Association Banking Journal.

“We are very pleased that our Holding Company was recognized as one of the ‘Top 25’ performing banking companies in the country,” said Craig Richards, Ozark Mountain Bank President and CEO. “Since 1950, we have built a foundation of people, community, technology and management that has stood the test of time. Furthermore, this is a testament to the dedication and professionalism of our employees.”

To determine the rankings, The American Bankers Association (ABA) studied the performance of domestic publicly held depository institutions with assets over $3 billion as of December 31, 2008. The banks, thrift institutions and bank holding companies were ranked by return on average equity for 2008. The ABA found financial institutions that performed well in the difficult 2008 economic environment were those that excelled at relatively traditional banking activities, such as generating low-cost core deposits, making quality loans and focusing on consistent service quality.
Making this ranking even more significant is the success Central Bancompany achieved in the challenging 2008 banking environment. Nearly 67% of the large public banks and thrifts either qualified for or participated in the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP)1. Central Bancompany and its 13 member banks, including Ozark Mountain Bank, did not require or receive any TARP funds.

Ozark Mountain Bank, with its six locations in Taney & Stone Counties, has approximately $300 million dollars in assets and Central Bancompany is a $9 billion, Missouri-based, bank holding company with 13 full-service banks and more than 175 locations in 66 communities serving consumers and businesses in Missouri, Illinois, Kansas and Oklahoma.

The Duttons are Pleased to Announce the Grand Re-opening of The Redhead Express at The Dutton Family Theater

Starting July 6 at 2pm, The Walker Family, also known as “The Redhead Express” will be bringing their award winning show to The Dutton Family Theater. “The Walkers are such an inspiration to us!” says Sheila Dutton. “They are wonderfully talented musicians that we have become very good friends with and we are so excited to add them to the lineup at our theater. Now we will have three great shows at the theater; The Duttons, Island Fire and now the Redhead Express.”

Due to scheduling issues in the Fall and the mid-year expiration of their performance contract, The Red Head Express and the Circle B were unable to negotiate a new contract.

Brett Walker of the Redhead Express stated, “The Circle B gave us a home and an opportunity to get started in Branson. We will always be grateful to the Horns for that start.”

Apryll Walker continued, “Many of our closest business associates strongly suggested that the matinee and morning show market would be ideal for our show. After investigating, we found that The Dutton Family Theater was the perfect fit for us. The Duttons have been very accommodating and good to work with, and we are so excited to be part of the The Dutton Family Theater Experience.”

The Walker Family also expressed their excitement about this new venture. “The Dutton Family Theater will be such a great location for us,” says Mr. Walker. “The larger stage, state of the art sound and lighting along with their location right on Highway 76 made this the ideal venue for our show, and we are thrilled with this opportunity.”

For more information about the Redhead Express, The Duttons, Island Fire or The Dutton Family Theater, please call 888-388-8661.

Watch for detailed Redhead Express Performance Schedule–coming soon!

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The Baldknobbers Jamboree, the legendary original Branson show is celebrating its 50th Anniversary in the Ozarks town that has become known as the “Live Music Show Capital.”

On Friday June 19, the Baldknobbers are inviting the entertainers that have performed in their show over the past 50 years to their show for a special night.

“We have always talked about our Baldknobbers family and we want them to join us on a special night where we recognize them and say thank you for their part in our history,” says Tim Mabe, producer, comedian and second generation.

“You would think that since the Baldknobbers have been performing for 50 years that the list of our past cast would be huge, but really it’s not. My dad and uncles always had a great cast that continued to perform with the Baldknobbers for several years. Turnover has never been a problem,” says Tim Mabe.

Tickets are available to the June 19, 2009 show. Fans who would like to be a part of this special night can call the box office or go on line to Baldknobbers.com.

“All of us are excited to see old friends,” says Tim.

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.

Neal McCoy in Concert at Yakov’s Theatre
Tour Schedule Includes 43 Show Dates in Branson MO

(Branson, MO – Tuesday, June 9, 2009) – Neal McCoy, country music superstar and two-time Entertainer of the Year, brings his show to Yakov’s Theatre in Branson MO. Neal McCoy’s show opens on June 16 at 8:00pm and runs through November 1 on selected dates. Yakov says, “Neal McCoy and I are a great team because Neal McCoy has three platinum albums and I have four…Celine Dion’s, Cher’s, Garth Brooks’, and Frank Sinatra’s. Just like those entertainers, Neal’s show is more then a concert, it’s more then country music, it’s a high energy entertainment experience packed with a variety of musical styles and it’s dynamite fun!”
Neal McCoy says “I like to entertain and have a great time with folks. here in Branson people know how to have a good time! So that’s what we’re planning on doing and you gotta love that.”
Neal McCoy, known for his fast-moving shows and fun music has received Entertainer of the Year two times and other exciting accolades including five #1 singles, five top 10 hits, 1 Gold album, and many, many others. His hits include Wink, The Shake, No Doubt About It, You Gotta Love That, They’re Playing Our Song, Billy’s Got His Beer Goggles On, The City Put The Country Back In Me, Then You Can Tell Me Goodbye, If I Was A Drinking Man and more. Along with over 13 USO Tours, Neal has traveled around the world bringing his signature brand of entertainment to fans.
Neal McCoy, who was named Humanitarian of the Year by multiple organizations, is using his first eight shows in Branson to raise money for local charities including Make-A-Wish Foundation, Special Olympics, The American Heart Association, and The American Red Cross. Each charity will have a benefit night at Yakov’s Theatre. The first four shows in June also include special performances from Yakov. Neal says, “I just do what I can to help. I hope people will see the great value in being able to see two stars at a great price plus benefit their charity of choice at the same time.” If you want your charity to benefit from your attendance at any of these first four shows go to www.yakov.com or call 800-336-6542 and tell them which charity you would like to help.
For tickets and additional information about Neal McCoy’s schedule at Yakov’s call 1-800-336-6542, 417-332-1234 or visit www.yakov.com

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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