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Posted In: Branson, Press Release by News Editor

The Voice of Branson Allen Edwards is the next guest on the Gene Williams Country Music TV Show that is taped live in Branson, Mo., telecast nationwide to more than 100 markets and can also be seen in Canada.
“My friend Allen Edwards is known as the voice of Branson. He is a former Houston law enforcement officer and now in his 15th season in Branson. Allen headlines breakfast, lunch, and dinner shows at the World’s Largest Golden Corral, in his own dining showroom. His is a great talent,” said 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.

The TV show with Edwards will be telecast April 18 and 19.

Williams will be taking a short break from the hectic schedule he has had for eight years in Branson due to health problems. A hiatus from taping his live show to help fix the problem 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.

Williams began his country music television show in Arkansas almost 50 years ago and for the past eight years has taped the show in Branson live before a studio audience. Guests have included Ed McMahon, Mickey Gilley, the Oak Ridge Boys, Roy Clark, Johnny Lee, Barbara Fairchild, Sons of the Pioneers, the Osmonds, Johnny Cash’s band The Tennessee Three, the Blackwood Brothers, Helen Cornelius, Leona Williams, Charlie Louvin, Mary Lou Turner, Cal Smith, Stonewall Jackson, Norma Jean, “Diamond” Dave Somerville, Little Jimmy Dickens, Porter Wagoner, Jim Owen, Buck Trent and Wanda Jackson.

Williams’ co-host Katie Lynn 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 eight years and also worked with Jim Owen for seven years. In addition to her singing career, she is a real estate agent. She and the guest stars perform weekly on the television show with the Country Junction Band.

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Posted In: Branson, Press Release by BroadcastBranson.com

The Downtown Branson Main Street Association’s (DBMA) director for the past year has resigned.

Dawn Erickson will become a consultant and volunteer for the organization, according to DBMA President Jeff Justus. Erickson will continue to produce reports for DBMA’s government-related economic development projects, supervise the national marketing program, and assist with upcoming special events such as Plumb Nellie Days and the annual fiddle contest.

“We are sorry to see Dawn leave the organization, but she has assured us that she will remain involved,” said DBMA Chairman Jeff Justus. “She said she plans to return to free-lance communications and economic development projects.”

Responsibilities handled by Erickson will be covered by DBMA’s board members and staff. The director’s position will be left open at this time, Justus said.

“Over the past year, we have done our best to adapt to a changing economy,” Justus said. “Non-profit organizations are going to take a beating in this recession, and we have made significant changes in how we spend a shrinking supply of investment dollars.”

For more than 20 years, DBMA has provided revitalization opportunities for the downtown business community through government grants and programs. It conducts an effective annual national marketing campaign to attract visitors to Historic Downtown Branson. It hosts several tourism-related special events each year, and creates strategic partnerships among government entities, business organizations and private enterprise to achieve the goals of the community. DBMA also provides administrative service for the Community Improvement District which operates a free public trolley service in the historic district.

“By operating DBMA as tightly as we can during these tough times, we will survive for the long haul as an organization,” said Shawn Pingleton, a member of the Board of Directors.

Additional information about DBMA is available by contacting Jeff Justus, 417-334-3107.

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