Branson Stars Set June 26, 2011 Joplin Benefit Concert & Telethon

(Branson, Mo. 6-14-2011) “Send donations for Joplin now” is the message the Branson community wants to deliver on June 26, 2011, during the live concert and telethon being staged by the Southwest Missouri town known as the “live music show capital of the world”. The live benefit concert will be at The Mansion Theatre and tickets are on sale now for a minimum donation of $50 by calling 1-866-707-4100 or visiting JoplinBenefit.com.
As of this date the jam-packed night of special entertainment will include performances and appearances from stars and celebrities including:
Jim Stafford
Shoji Tabuchi
Liverpool Legends
Carrie April Tillis
Hughes Brothers Show
Todd Oliver & his talking dogs
The Lennon Sisters
Baldknobbers Jamboree
Acrobats of China
The Duttons of America’s Got Talent
Buck Trent
J. Eddie Peck from the Young & the Restless
Barbara Fairchild
Grand Country Music Hall
God and Country Theatre
Pierce Arrow Theatre
3 Redneck Tenors of America’s Got Talent
The Haygoods
Jim Barber of Hamner-Barber Variety Show
Tom Mullica as Red Skelton
Legends In Concert
Kirby VanBurch
Showboat Branson Belle
Doug Gabriel
Sons of the Pioneers
Circle B Cowboy Show
The Brett Family
Branson Variety Theatre
Legends of Kung Fu
Presley’s Jubilee…and more!
Joplin, Missouri was hit by an EF5 tornado that brought winds exceeding 200 mph, destroying over 8,000 homes, 400 businesses, 5 schools, and St John’s Regional Medical Center (Mercy Health Joplin). “Joplin is a great neighbor and folks there need for their community to be made whole again,” said Ann Stafford, event organizer and co-owner of the Jim Stafford Theatre in Branson. “Branson’s stars and our local businesses and volunteers want to help that process happen. We believe assisting St John’s Mercy Hospital to operate while rebuilding is vital to the stability and health of the entire community both economically and spiritually. We also believe that as musicians and show people, who make our living from the arts, that it is important to the children of Joplin to also have their music programs put back in place.” Proceeds from the concert and telethon will go to St John’s Mercy Hospital and to the Joplin Schools’ music programs.
St John’s Mercy Health Systems has committed to keeping all 2200 employees on the payroll indefinitely. “That’s a big undertaking for a non-profit,” adds Stafford, “and essential to the economic vitality of the entire Joplin community, and in fact to Branson as well as to Missouri.”
The Joplin High School’s loss in musical instruments alone exceeds $280,000. “Our goal is to reach out to everyone to donate instruments or to purchase instruments for the kids through a silent auction being held on the 26th during the live concert. There’s a list of specific instruments needed at JoplinBenefit.com,” said Jim Barber, President of The League of Theatre Owners & Show Producers as well as co-star of the Hamner-Barber Variety Show & Theatre. “We believe that by keeping the music alive in the schools, the lives of the children of Joplin will be enriched during this time of recovery.” Instruments may be dropped off at the College of the Ozarks Christian Ministries offices, The Mansion Theatre, any Palen Music Stores and Hoover Music Store in Springfield, Missouri or at any of the Mercy Health Systems offices.
The show will be broadcast live via television, radio and the internet. As of press time the following had announced their air times:
KOAM-TV and FOX 14 in Joplin, Missouri from 7-10pm Central Time
RFD-TV network from 7-10pm
Access channels on Mediacom stations through the Midwest,
CW affiliates in Springfield MO, Wichita KS, and Fayetteville AR; ABC affiliate in Fayetteville AR; the NBC affiliate in Victoria TX; and the CBS affiliate in Greenville MS.
The Branson Cares Benefit will be available via satellite for television broadcast from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. KOAM-TV and Fox 14 in Joplin are producing the show and have graciously donated the equipment, labor, and the satellite services for this event. The event will also be closed captioned provided by Caption Solutions of Lawrence KS. (Metro Sports of Kansas City and Freebird TV of Olathe, KS provided the production truck and satellite truck, respectively).
The League of Branson Theater Owners and Show Producers (The Branson Show League) is producing the Joplin Benefit Concert & Telethon presented by Branson Cares. Other Sponsors of the event are KOAM-TV, the Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce & CVB, a variety of area businesses, and numerous volunteers.
KOAM, in providing the live broadcast of the show and facilitating the satellite uplink, is making it possible for the telethon to be shown in communities throughout the country, with those station placement efforts currently underway. Viewers are advised to call their local TV stations to check the schedule to see if their hometown stations are airing the Joplin Benefit Concert and Telethon presented by Branson Cares.

Donations to the Joplin relief effort may be made to:
Branson Cares Joplin Benefit
c/o The League of Branson Theatre Owners and Show Producers
Post Office Box 5083
Branson, Missouri 65615
Or by visiting JoplinBenefit.com

The Branson Arts Council and the First Presbyterian Church present:

Sunday, June 19th 2pm

Flamenco Guitarist Ron Radford
Ron will perform another concert at the old stone Church. It is part of a series of
performances by this very talented artist..

Thursday, June 23 7pm

Nicholas Susi, 24, has studied piano since age 9. Graduate of the Community Music School of Webster University in St. Louis, Missouri, he continued his piano studies at the University of Kansas (B.M. Piano, minor in German) and the University of Michigan (M.M. Piano). Primary teachers include Jack Winerock, Zitta Zohar, and Arthur Greene.

Both performances are free to the public. The Branson Arts Council is supported by the City of Branson and the Missouri Arts Council.

The Branson Arts Council presents Ron Radford, a Flamenco Guitarist

Saturday June 18th — 4 pm

Free concert at the Fountain Area on the Branson Landing.

This brilliant American Flamenco virtuoso has evoked standing ovations on four continents. He has been acclaimed in Mexico City as, “equal to those on any Flamenco stage in Madrid, Seville or Andalusia” His melodies are haunting, the rhythms are fiery and the concert will be a leisurely journey into flamenco-the folk music of southern Spain. From the very literal imitations of bugles and drums in “Holy Week in Seville” to the unspeakable sadness of the “Cante Hondo”, the Spanish songs of lament, Radford performs with a consistently crisp technique that is flexible enough to master the extremes inherent in the flamenco style. All are welcome to come and listen to this fine guitarist on Saturday June 18th.

He will also perform at the Old Stone Church on Sunday, June 19th at 2 pm.

Exile returns to Branson, Missouri at the Clay Cooper Theatre

The country music band, EXILE, will be performing at the Clay Cooper Theatre in Branson, MO, Thursday, June 16 and Friday, June17, both shows at 8pm.

In 1963, a group of high school students started a rock and roll band in Richmond, Kentucky. They called themselves the Exiles. When Dick Clark’s Caravan Of Stars hit the road in 1965, they picked up the Exiles to perform on several dates in and around Kentucky. They continued touring nationally with the Caravan of Stars through to 1968; opening the show and providing back-up for headlining stars like Freddy Cannon, the Young Rascals, B. J. Thomas and others

The band changed musical styles throughout the late 1960s and early 1970s. They shortened their name to Exile in 1973. In 1977, Mike Chapman, an Australian who had established himself as a record producer in the UK, came to the United States in search of an experienced group who wrote their own material. Chapman heard an Exile demo and went to their next concert. He and Exile decided to collaborate, producing the Mixed Emotions album on Warner/Curb Records. The first single release from that album was “Kiss You All Over” and topped the charts at #1 for four weeks. Mixed Emotions was a best-seller for six months.

Exile also produced several more #1 singles including “Woke Up In Love,” “I Don’t Want To Be A Memory,” “Give Me One More Chance” and “Crazy For Your Love”, “She’s A Miracle,” “Hang On To Your Heart,” “I Could Get Used To You,” “It’ll Be Me,” “She’s Too Good To Be True” and “I Can’t Get Close Enough”. Exile received 11 nominations for Vocal as well as Instrumental Group of the Year from the Academy of Country Music and the Country Music Association

Don’t miss EXILE this summer! Purchase your tickets today by calling 888-222-8910 or order them online at www.claycoopertheatre.com.

Andy Williams To Be Honored At Judy Garland Festival

BRANSON, MO—June 2011—Andy Williams is the special guest for the 36th Annual Judy Garland Festival Thursday, June 16 to Saturday, June 16 to Saturday, June 18, 2011, in Grand Rapids, Minnesota.

Festival highlights include a gala dinner honoring the legendary Andy Williams, a party for the “Wizard of Oz” Munchkin Karl Slover, a local production of “Meet Me in St. Louis” by the Grand Rapids Players, and a show of Judy’s gowns for collector Michael Siewert. Mr. Williams will be signing his memoir “Moon River and Me” in the afternoon and then be given the Lifetime Achievement Award Friday evening.

Festival headquarters are at the Judy Garland Museum and historic family home and adjacent Children’s Discovery Museum in Grand Rapids, the northern Minnesota resort town where Judy’s family lived when she was a little girl. The Judy Garland Museum has the world’s largest collection of Judy Garland memorabilia.

For schedule and ticket information go to www.judygarlandmuseum.com or call 800-664-5839 or 218-327-9276.

Mikel and The Blood Washed Blues Band To Perform Memorial Day Weekend

Branson, May 17: A whole new genre of music will be coming to the Night-light, Beacon of Branson, when the award-winning Mikel and the Blood Washed Blues Band performs on Memorial Day Weekend. Their blues-style Christian music can be heard Friday May 27, at 7:00 pm;Saturday, May 28, at 3:00 and 7:00 pm;and Sunday May 29, at 3:00 pm. Also they will be at Barbara Fairchild’s Diner after the Friday night appearance.

Mikel and The Blood Washed Blues Band is uniquely a Native American, Christian blues band formed in Konawa, OK in November 2006. It has four members: Mikel Dagget, Cherokee, songwriter and lead vocalist, on rhythm and lead guitars, of Konawa, OK. Mikel’s wife Susie Attocknie Daggett, Commanche, Creek, and Pottawatomi, on keyboards, of Kowana, OK. Jack Douglas, Seminole, on bass guitar, of Kowana, OK. Jeff Kanard, Creek, on drums of Wewoka, OK.

Their CD titled “I’m Wanted” is innovative and unmistakably about The Lord Jesus Christ. All songs are original and written by gifted lead singer Mikel and are performed by talented, passionate musicians. As a mix of real old-school blues and a variety of other blues styles such as boogie woogie, jazz, and blues-rock, it’s something totally different in Christian music, and many have said, long overdue. Mikel explains, “With influences like Stevie Ray Vaughn, B.B. King, and Eric Clapton, I set out to write Christian music with a blues feel.” Susie adds, “It’s great that now we don’t feel like we have to give up this style of music to be Christians. I think Mikel song, “Blessed Be The Lord” is how King David the psalmist would have praised God and danced, if he ever heard blues rock.” Of Mikel’s soulful blues style, Kevin Spencer, who has sung on the Gaither videos, has commented,”He makes B.B. King sound contemporary.”

The Nightlight is located at 3044 Shepherd of the Hills Expressway, catercorner from the Pierce Arrow Theater. Friday night at 7:00 pm is the Gospel Praise gathering. Saturday afternoon at 3:00 pm is the Songwriter’s Showcase and at 7:00 pm is the Gospel Variety Gathering. Sunday afternoon at 3:00 pm is a concert.

Vietnam Veterans of America Branson Chapter 913 Veteran Assistance Fundraiser will be held on May 23 at the Hamner Barber Theater on Shepherd of the Hills Expressway. A pre-show will begin at 5:30 and main show at 6:30. Entertainers from the Branson area volunteer their time to present a great show for a good cause., All profits from this show go to help veterans in the Branson area. There is also a silent auction going on concurrently where items donated by area businesses can be purchased. Tickets can be purchased by caling the Hamner Barber Theater Box Office. Corporate Sponsorship is also available by contacting Bob Sarver, President, VVA Chapter 913 @ 417-294-0728.

NEAL McCOY BRINGS HIS MULTI-PLATINUM CAREER TO
BLASTER RECORDS

(Nashville, Tennessee) – April 21, 2011 – Neal McCoy, referred to by fans & musical comrades as ‘The Entertainer’s Entertainer’, is bringing his multi-award winning, multi-platinum career to the roster of Blaster Records, as announced this week by label Chairman Tom Porter.

The consummate performer boasts a career track of three platinum album certifications, beginning with his breakthrough disc “No Doubt About It” in 1994, which produced back-to back #1 singles with both the title track and Wink. McCoy has gained Entertainer of the Year honors twice on his way to winning numerous industry and fan voted awards. His endearing style and charismatic music helped the Texas native to earn multiple Top 10 singles along with gold certification on the Billboard charts.

One of the industry’s most active touring artists, McCoy is credited with amassing a major fan following and brand loyalty in his 21 year career in the industry—a fact attributed to his consistent dedication to showmanship and producing innovative new music. Anticipation has already started to build for his eleventh studio project– under the new alliance with Blaster – slated for a January 2012 street date.

McCoy’s latest endeavor in the field of entertainment introduced his talents as an author with the release of his first book, A NEW MOUNTAIN TO CLIMB: Heroes I’ve Met And The Mountains They Climb Every Day.

Blaster Records label head Tom Porter stated about making the signing announcement: “Anytime you can add a performer of the caliber of Neal McCoy to your label roster, you can’t help but feel an inexplicable and exhilarating advantage in the popular world of country music. Blaster Records is excited and honored to be a part of Neal’s incredible team and we look forward to big things in the future.”

In signing to the growing Blaster roster, McCoy joins break-out brother duo Brother Trouble as a major immediate concentration in the label’s focus in the field of country music.

About Blaster Records

Cleveland based, Blaster Records was founded in 2007 by Blaster Chemical Chairman Tom Porter. A division of the Blaster Music Group, the label is committed to artist development and its dedication to building careers. Blaster has sought talented songwriters, unique musicians and excellent live performers that show a genuine passion for their craft. The label is dedicated further to providing their artists with teams of professionals that express a true interest in maximizing an artist’s full potential. Through touring, strategic marketing campaigns, promotion and artist development, Blaster Records is committed to the success of its artists. (www.blastermusic.com)

Date: January 11, 2011

SUBJECT: CHORALE AND HANDBELL SPRING CONCERT SLATED

By: Jacob McCauley

College of the Ozarks’ Chorale and Handbell Choir will present a spring concert in Williams Memorial Chapel on April, 14, at 7 p.m.

The concert will include highlights from the Chorale and Handbell Choir’s upcoming overseas tour. Both groups will perform sacred pieces as well as folk, American spiritual and gospel music. Several student soloists will be featured in the concert including, Stephanie Fitzgerald, David Hanschu, Megan Campbell and Dominique Bennett.

“We are excited to present this concert on the campus as a prelude to the overseas trip,” said Associate Professor of Music and Chorale Director Lynda Jesse.

This event is free to the public but seating is limited on a first-come, first-serve basis. For more information, please call the College of the Ozarks Music department at (417) 690-2244.

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.