Country Tonite

Kurt L Moore

“Country Tonite” is a rootin,’ tootin,’ foot stompin,’ hand-clappin,’ knee slappin’ look at the origins of Honky-Tonk, Rock-a-Billy, Country, Western and Crossover music in our history. That is why the most heard comment is; “I haven’t heard that song since I was a kid,” or since we used to listen to grandpa’s radio. The song list is an eclectic revue of songs covering everything from Hank Williams to Garth Brooks and a lot of in-between sweet-on-life nostalgia.

“Country Tonite” has won numerous awards during their decade plus stay in Branson, including, Branson’s “Show of the Year,” in 1995 and again in 1999. The Country Music Organization of America named “Country Tonite,” the “Best Live Country Music Show in America” three years running.

The cast is many, the dances hi-falutin’, the music is quality, the talent is top drawer and the spirit in the theater is abundant and soaring high.

I would like to mention a few of the performers you will see on the show. The cast is a rather large one so I will tell you of but a few.

There are a couple of pretty women who are also pretty darned good singers on the show. Jackie Brown comes to the show from the “Country Tonite” production in Pigeon Forge and is definitely a graceful and talented asset to the production.

Suzi Weber, having spent many a season playing a talented “ditzy” blonde with the “Jim Owen Show,” lends her beauty, charm and voice to the show as well. Suzi is like Lucille Ball in the fact that Lucille had to be plenty smart to play the part of Lucy. So guys, I want to point out that if you have caught her at Jim’s show, she is not the ditzy blonde you may think her to be. She is one smart-as-a-whip gal.

Sonny Frank is the emcee for this old time, heel kickin’ barn dance. Sonny mingles in the audience and serenades all lovers present with one of the oddest songs ever written or performed. Nope, I’m not gonna tell you what it is; you will have go to the show to find out for yourself.

And then there is Cole Currier, a bright articulate young man who is literally working his way through college. Cole, a marketing major at SMS, is a standout in the Country Tonite ensemble.

If it is made of rope, Johnny Lonestar can make it do something you will find interesting. Roping, black snaking and other such western feats are his forte and he makes it look way too easy.

Wayne Masengail is an award-winning musician who also lends his comedic skills to the production. Wayne is a Hall of Fame inductee.

Then last but certainly not least, Dakota Pagan is a diminutive 11-year-old entertainer who woos the audience with song and dance. Dakota was one of Dr. Dale Smith’s American Kids. He learned his show business lessons well.

The Country Tonite band is one of the best in town. Some members of the band have been around the music scene since dirt was new and shiny and their experience, mixed with the younger members, shows in a quality sound you will certainly enjoy.

Last year I saw “Country Tonite” in their old home, you know, the two-time Ray Stevens Theater. I did not like the show at that time. The pace of the show was slow, the stage was set all wrong, and there was just something wrong with the entire production.

This year, Country Tonite, with their new digs in the old Osmond Theater, has a show that is tighter, lighter, moves quickly, is easy on the eyes and is easy on the ears. The cast has changed somewhat and the new blood and new production are possibly the major differences. It is now a production that is on par with any show in Branson.

I want to make one thing perfectly clear; it is not the old Osmond Theater that is now the Legends in Concert Theater. I’m talking about the old Osmond Theater that was once the Christy Lane Theater and once was the Country Tonite Theater, and then it was the Osmond Theater and now is the Country Tonite Theater. To top all that off, the old Ray Stevens Theater turned into the Country Tonite Theater and is now the Ray Stevens Theater again. Confused? So are the mapmakers, tour guides, Chamber of Commerce, Mr. and Mrs. Branson Show Goer, men, women and children everywhere and especially yours truly.

To clarify which theater I am talking about, it is next to the Dollar Store. No, not the Dollar General Store, not the Dollar Shop and not the Everything a Buck Store. It is next to the Dollar store that is next to the souvenir shop on the strip. You know which souvenir shop I am talking about, so that should really clear things up. Right? I will now post a phone number that you can call to get directions to the theater.