Branson Shows: » 2004 Newsletter Archive 4 In Branson Missouri                                           Submit Review
	Branson Critic  Newsletter Archive 4

Gene Williams Show’ features his band,

new Branson celebrity Danny Doyle

The next telecast of the Lucas Oil Products sponsored "Gene Williams Country Television Show" features Gene’s band, the Country Junction Band and new Branson celebrity Danny Doyle

"My band is one of the best around and this week, Doug Wright is featured in the band on bass. Formerly with Tanya Tucker and Ricky Skaggs, Doug is now with 14 Karat Country which performs at the Ain’t Misbehavin’ Theatre where I tape my show. Also guest starring is Danny Doyle, one of Branson’s newest celebrities, who is bringing his show to the Ain’t Misbehavin’ Theatre beginning in September. It is one of Branson’s funniest shows. Viewers will get a sample of the laughs his new show will provide when they see our number one stage manager Carl Ward hypnotized. You’ve got to see this show to believe it. We really had a good time with this one," said Williams the star, creator and producer of the "Gene Williams Country Television Show." Started in 1963, the "Gene Williams Show" is broadcast to 20.5 million homes nationwide from Branson, Mo. where it is taped live before a studio audience from the Ain’t Misbehavin’ Theatre.

A 2003 National Telly Award winner, the "Gene Williams Show" features celebrity guest stars performing with his band, the Country Junction Band, and in up-close-and-personal interviews with Williams and his co-host Katie Lynn. The show with Wright and Doyle will be televised on Saturday, July 23, and Sunday, July 24. 2pm

The next taping of the "Gene Williams Country Music Television Show" will be at Ain’t Misbehavin’ at 625 Hwy. 165, on Sunday, July 31 at 2 p.m. Schedule guests include Narvel Felts, Joe Keene, Goldwing Express and Tony Roi. The three half-hour shows will be taped live before a studio audience. Admission is free.
 

Future dates for Mallstar competitions are July 23, Aug. 20 and 27, Oct. 22 and 29 and Nov. 19 and 26. The grand final competition is Dec. 17.

It’s Branson-bound for the ninth consecutive year for American Kids members who are traveling from across the nation to compete in the 2005 American Kids Inc. National Finals to be held at the Radisson Aug. 3-6. Almost 400 acts will be presented by some 400 young performers in the annual membership competition for the non-profit group known as the nation’s only little league of entertainers.

Competition is open to the public with opening ceremonies beginning at 3 p.m. on Wednesday to be followed by the gospel competition. Popular vocal begins at 7 p.m. followed by patriotic vocal at 10 p.m.

Thursday, Aug. 4, competition begins with country vocal at 10 a.m. Classical vocal begins at 3 p.m. to be followed by musical theatre. In conjunction with Nationals, Chance Havens, an alum of American Kids Inc., is presenting a special concert open to the public at Branson Mall Center Stage at 9 p.m. Havens’ band, Chance and the Chasers are on stage until midnight.

Friday, Aug. 5, competition continues with character vocal at 10 a.m., serious vocal at noon, combination vocal at 3 p.m. and general variety at 5 p.m.

Saturday, Aug. 6, is set aside for the dance competition that begins at 10 a.m. The event will move from the Radisson to the Moe Bandy Theatre for an awards ceremony at 6 p.m. Dr. Dale Smith, the non-profit group’s founder, will present awards.

"This is the tenth year the event has been held in Branson," said Dr. Dale. "It takes a large number of volunteers to make an event of this size happen and those will be honored in a special volunteers reception. We’ve had many volunteers over the past 23 years who help promote drug-free lifestyles, patriotism and community service with American Kids Inc. Our volunteers are the reason American Kids has grown to be in 29 states," Dr. Dale said.


According to Paula Petree, national director of competitions, the young performers have been through a series of competitions leading up to Nationals where a panel of national level judges will critique the acts. The judges, representing agencies, television, the recording industry, casting companies and more, will select the winners in a variety of age and talent categories. Cash prizes, college scholarships, the Entertainer of the Year Award, trophies, prizes and gifts totaling nearly $10,000 will be presented.

Two judges from California will not only judge, but also conduct performance workshops for the finalists. Jon Sinclair is a live performer, prolific songwriter, arranger/producer and owner of a 24-track studio facility. Sinclair has shared stage/worked with members of such great acts as Night Ranger, Steve Vai, L7, Black Crowes, Procol Harum and LA Gun's. He has worked with band members and producers for such acts as Pat Benatar, Melissa Ethridge, Deep Purple, Kiss and Howard Jones.

An active performer of gospel music and a devout follower of Jesus Christ, Sinclair is also worship leader for Calvary Chapel Camarillo. He performs under the name Jon Dunmore and has over 500 original works, with five albums released to date, plus inclusion in many major feature films and TV shows.

"I love to help develop and nurture new talent, to hear a song being sang with emotion and spirit and ability," he said about his work at his vocal school, Sing Clear.

Benjamin Chan is owner of New Music Unlimited, a music production company providing music for film and TV. Mr. Chan has worked on numerous films as a music supervisor, music editor and composer. He administers several music publishing companies and provides consultation services to many artists, bands and industry professionals.

His numerous animation/film and shows work include Reign: The Conqueror - Cartoon Network/ Showtime Beyond, Great Teacher Onizuka – Showtime, Rave Master - Cartoon Network, The Shield - Fx Channel, Hands: The Documentary - Infinite Productions, Long Shot - ABC Family, Stray Sheep – Tokyopop, Good Girls Don't - Oxygen Network.

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. Performing opportunities include shows which range from hospitals and retirement centers to fairs, festivals and theme parks on a national and international scale.

"We at American Kids promise exposure, growth, character development and opportunity. Because of the experience gained from being on stage, our members are better prepared for whatever they choose to do in life," said Dr. Dale. "Fame and fortune are not promised, but personal development is."

New Shanghai Circus to Perform at Tri-Lakes Center on June 11 and June 13 through 16, 2005

Branson, Missouri - (June 3, 2005) -- Lizhi Zhao, owner of the New Shanghai Circus, announced today that the Acrobats of China featuring the New Shanghai Circus would be performing at the Tri-Lakes Center (formerly the Mel Tillis Theatre) in Branson, Missouri on Saturday, June 11 at 3:00 & 8:00 PM and from June 13 through June 15 at 3:00 & 8:00 PM, as well as on June 16 at 8:00 PM. These performances will take place at the Tri-Lakes Center on Hwy 248 in Branson instead of the New Shanghai Theatre, as there have been delays in completing the parking lot for the new theater.

Zhao said, "Our hopes that our new theater would be open in time for the Vietnam Veterans Welcome Home Tribute met disappointment this week. As the ground around our new theater begin to finally dry, there was still a very wet spot, and when the contractors dug down at that spot they discovered a natural spring; causing there to be more delays in grading, and pouring the parking lot. For us this was devastating news." Zhao continued, "However, on the same day that this news reached us, our friends at the Tri-Lakes Center contacted us, and graciously offered us their theater to perform in for June 11th and June 13th through the 16th. This is wonderful and we thank our good friends at the Tri-Lakes Center. With over 50 cast and crew members eager to begin performances, this has certainly made all of us and our customers happy!"

Cindy Westmoreland, manager of the Tri-Lakes Center said, "I remember when my dad, Mel Tillis, was building his theater and we had delays in getting the construction done. Box Car Willie called and offered us his theater to perform in and it was a Godsend. The Tri-Lakes Center had these dates available and we were happy to offer a helping hand to the Acrobats."

Zhao said, "Tri-Lakes Center is located on Hwy 248 which is on the other side of Branson from our new theater, so we will have signs announcing our temporary location as well as staff handing out maps. But most of all we'll be relying on our friends in Branson to help spread the word to our customers about our temporary location."

In its' 8th season in Branson, the New Shanghai Circus features more than 40 Acrobats of China presenting their ancient performance art. Three acrobatic troupes (the New Shanghai Circus, the Shanghai Circus School, and the Anhui Acrobatic Troupe) from China have joined forces this year to create a fast-paced production that brings the Orient to Branson!

Shanghai Circus School is the foremost circus performer training and education institute in Shanghai, China. These young acrobats from the Shanghai Circus School bring their international award-winning acts to Branson. The act called "Dream - Handstand Art" won the Golden K Award and the La Princesse Award at the 16th First Step on International Acrobatics Competition, as well as the Gold Lion Award at the 4th National Teenage Acrobatics Competition. The act known as "Russian Bar” (also know as Foot Juggling on Teeterboard) was awarded the Golden Clown Award at the 27th Festival International du Cirque de Monte-Carlo, the Princesse Award and a Special Award at the 25th International Circus Competition. The performance also won the Gold Lion Award at the 5th National Acrobatics Competition.

Seventeen acrobats and coaches from the Anhui Acrobatic Troupe will showcase the stunning Group Chair Stack as well as other acts that require precise teamwork and group coordination. Other exciting acts in the show include the fascinating Diabolo, Plates Spinning, Bicycle Tricks, and more.

New Shanghai Circus performers continue to deliver the audience’s favorite acts such as Fish Net Contortion, Magic Clock, Barrel Contortion, Roller Skating, and more with newly designed costumes, sharply honed skills, and beautiful new backdrops designed specifically for the brand new New Shanghai Theatre.

For more information and schedules, please call 1-877-21 CHINA or 417-336-8888.

Stonewall Jackson guest star on ‘Gene Williams Show’

Stonewall Jackson is the guest staron the on the next broadcast of the Lucas Oil Products sponsored "Gene Williams Country Music Television Show" which is broadcast to more than 20.5 million homes nationwide.

"Stonewall is a member of the Grand Ole Opry and a living legend of country music. I am honored to have him as a guest on my show," said Williams, the star and creator of the "Gene Williams Country Music Television Show." "His hit records have historical significance with eight gold singles, five gold albums, 52 top 10 singles and 14 number ones."

Gene’s weekly show features guest stars performing with Gene’s Country Junction Band and in up-close-and-personal interviews. The show with Jackson airs Saturday, Jan. 22, and Sunday, Jan. 23 on the following stations:


Remaining true to the country music tradition, Williams began his career in the country music field as a DJ in Memphis on KWAM in 1957 and was named 1961 Grand Ole Opry DJ of the Year. In 1963 he started the "Gene Williams Country Junction Show" in Arkansas and syndicated it nationwide to 173 markets.

Williams has made two movies: "Country Music Jamboree" and the "Sound of Country Music" which starred more than 39 Grand Ole Opry stars including Ray Price, Carl Smith, Jordanaires, Kitty Wells, Little Jimmy Dickens, Grand Ole Opry Square Dancers and the late Marty Robbins, Webb Pierce, Ernest Tubb, June Carter, Bill Monroe, Duke of Paducah and Faron Young. Williams is an inductee to the Memphis Music Hall of Fame and has been honored by the Missouri Senate and the State of Arkansas for his contributions to the tourism industry.

Katie Lynn, Williams' co-host, has received the Branson Entertainment Awards Best Support Vocalist twice for her work in the "Mickey Gilley Show." She performs solos each week with Gene's band, the Country Junction Band. Band members are Gary Myers and Joey Riley from the "Mickey Gilley Show," Kelly Black, former bass player for Johnny Lee, Chuck Landry, drummer for Mel Tillis, and keyboardist Stu Maru of "14 Karat Country" and the "Denny Yeary Show."

The next two tapings of the "Gene Williams Country Music Television Show" are Wednesday, Jan. 19 at 11 a.m. and Wednesday, Feb. 16 at 11 a.m. at Branson Mall Music Theatre. Three half-hour shows will be taped live before a studio audience. Admission to the tapings is free. Doors to the theater open at 10 a.m.