Tony Orlando is bringing his “Yellow Ribbon Salute to Veterans” to the Welk Resort Theatre this year and will follow it up with two special performances of the “Tony Orlando Show” on Monday, November 12 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Admission to the Tony Orlando Yellow Ribbon Salute to Veterans on Sunday, Nov. 11 at 2 p.m. is complimentary but limited to veterans and special guests. There is a limit of two tickets per veteran with proof of service (military ID or DD Form 214 accompanied by a current photo ID.) Tickets reserved in advance must be picked at the Welk Resort Theatre Box Office no later than 5 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 9. Any tickets that are not picked up by that deadline will be available on a first-come, first-served basis to veterans (with proof of service) beginning Saturday, Nov. 10 at 8:30 a.m. at the Welk Resort Theatre Box Office.

A highlight of the salute is Orlando’s presentation of the Yellow Ribbon Medal of Freedom. Past recipients have included former President Gerald Ford, entertainer Bob Hope, Ross Perot, the Eisenhower family, former Secretary of Veterans Affairs Anthony Principi, former Branson Mayor Lou Schaefer and former POW Major Stephen Long. This year’s salute will also include the Branson Veterans Task Force Closing Ceremony for Veterans Homecoming Week 2007.

“The Welk Resort has a proud tradition of saluting Veterans and supporting Branson Veterans Homecoming Week with the annual Traveling Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall,” said Joe Sullivan, executive producer of Welk-Sullivan Productions and the Welk Resort Theatre. “Tony’s Yellow Ribbon Salute has always been considered the anchor for Branson’s veterans week celebrations. Helping Tony Orlando continue the tradition of his ‘Yellow Ribbon Salute To Veterans’ is one special way we, as an organization and member of the Branson community, can honor our Veterans and active-duty military,” said Sullivan.

The Tony Orlando Show on Monday, Nov. 12 will showcase the much-beloved and admired entertainer for fans who have eagerly awaited Orlando’s return to the Branson entertainment scene. The versatile entertainer brings to the stage special warmth and energy that electrifies audiences. The show will feature his string of chart-topping songs including “Candida,” “Knock Three Times,” “Sweet Gypsy Rose,” “He Don’t Love You (Like I Love You),” and the song that became an American anthem of hope and homecoming, reunion and renewal – “Tie A Yellow Ribbon Around The Old Oak Tree.”

Tickets for the “Tony Orlando Show” on Monday, Nov. 12 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. are available at the Welk Resort Theatre Box Office, by calling 417-337-7469, on-line at www.sullivanshows.com and through select Branson area ticket outlets.

The Traveling Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall is open daily for viewing from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. through Sunday, Nov. 11. The Welk Resort’s annual gift to veterans, visitors and the community has become a popular part of the week-long, community-wide Branson Veterans Homecoming since the mid-1990s. The scale-replica of the permanent monument in Washington D.C. is inscribed with the names of over 58,000 soldiers who gave the ultimate sacrifice for their country. The special display honors those who served in the Vietnam War in a unique, solemn and personal way.

During the seven-day display period, community volunteers are reading aloud continuously the names inscribed on the Memorial. The exhibit is located on the lawn (north side) of the Welk Resort complex. Visitors may access the “Traveling Wall” exhibit by going through either the Welk Theatre lobby or the Welk Hotel lobby. The week-long display is free and open to the public. Additional events during Veterans Homecoming at the Welk Resort Theatre include:

* Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers and The Lennon Sisters – Celebrating Christmas, Monday thru Friday (except Monday, Nov. 12 due to Tony Orlando Show performances).
* The Lowe Family Morning Show – Monday thru Friday.
* Mel Tillis & Connie Smith – Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday & Sunday.
* Tony Orlando’s Yellow Ribbon Salute to Veterans – Sunday, Nov. 11 at 2:00 p.m. – free to veterans and one guest.
* Tony Orlando Show – special concerts on Monday, Nov. 12 at 2:00 p.m. & 8:00 p.m

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Premiere In Unique Springfield and Branson Special Events, Combining Film, Artisan Wine Events, and Celebrity Receptions.

Paso Robles, CA — From November 9-11, Branson and Springfield, MO will hold a series of Celebrations of the Arts when actor Gary Conway’s visually arresting dramatic film WOMAN’S STORY (with Erin Gray and Kent McCord, who star with Conway) premieres at local cinemas, preceded or followed by Missouri-California wine pairing-tastings, filmmaker & artist receptions, artisan wine events, and silent auctions to benefit local educational and cultural institutions, all of which will include personal appearances by filmmakers, artists, winemakers and special guests.

The first event will be an 8:30 p.m. “Celebration of the Arts” at Clary’s restaurant in Springfield, on Friday, November 9, following the 7:00 p.m. Missouri premiere of the new film WOMAN’S STORY at the Wehrenberg Campbell 16 Cine.

There will be a wine tasting and pairing event at Clary’s restaurant in Springfield on Saturday, November 10 at 4:30 p.m., preceding the evening screening at 7:00 p.m.

In Branson on Saturday, November 10 at 7:00 p.m., the film premieres at the Branson Meadows Cinemas, followed at 8:30 p.m. by “Palette to Palate – Taste of the Arts” at Liberty Tavern Branson located in the Hilton Promenade Hotel.

On Sunday, November 11 at 8:30 p.m. “Palette to Palate, Part 2 – Feast for the Senses” is set for Liberty Tavern Branson, following the 7:00 p.m. screening in Branson.

The top wineries and winemakers in Missouri will be on hand with their finest artisan wines, including stellar wineries Stone Hill, Mt. Pleasant, St. James, Adam Puchta, Branson Ridge, Meramec, White Rose, Hermannhof, and OOVVDA. One of the highlights will be a special Missouri-California pairing and terroir colloquy which will include the estate wines of California’s Carmody McKnight.

The University of Missouri-Columbia’s Missouri Regional Cuisines project will be a participant. Funds generated from ticket sales and silent auctions of special wines and art will benefit the Miss America/Miss Missouri Scholarship Organization, providing scholarships for young women, and Fighting for the Arts, which seeks to restore art and music education in our schools.

At all events, WOMAN’S STORY director, writer and star Gary Conway and producer/former Miss America Marian McKnight Conway, proprietors of Carmody McKnight Estate Wines in Paso Robles, CA, will pair and discuss terroir wines of Missouri and California in conjunction with the top Missouri winemakers in an exchange of ideas on the culture of wine and art making.

WOMAN’S STORY stars former super-model and award-winning actress Erin Gray (Silver Spoons, Buck Rogers in the 20thCentury, Baywatch, Six Pack), award-winning actor Kent McCord (Adam-12, Farscape, Predator 2, Airplane II, The Adventures of Ozzie & Harriet) and Gary Conway (Burke’s Law, Land of the Giants, The Farmer, Once is Not Enough, I Was a Teenage Frankenstein).

Filmed in Memphis, in a lovely lake region in Arkansas and in the Central Coast of California, the film dramatizes the breakup of a long and seemingly successful marriage and focuses on what leading thinkers predict will be the major issue of the 21st Century: the disintegration of the family in a material-obsessed world.

The music in WOMAN’S STORY by Bach, Vivaldi, Liszt and Locatelli was performed by Philharmonia Virtuosi, under the direction of Richard Kapp, featuring pianist Jerome Rose and violinist Mela Tenenbaum. A prominent critic recently called the soundtrack the best-ever recording of Bach.

Former Los Angeles Times and Variety critic Dale C. Olsen declared, “I found myself engrossed in the human quality of the story. The look of WOMAN’S STORY is much like a great painting. I don’t know when in 40 years of being involved with film that I’ve seen one with such a vivid sense of color and shadings. The classical music score sets exactly the right tone for the profound passion the story delivers. The performance of leading actress Erin Gray was stunning in its honesty and believability.”

Renee Sanpei wrote in Women’s Press: “The overall effect of the film was one of feeling elevated by its reverence for life. Hearing the thoughtful dialogue, the pensiveness of the characters and the humor coming of the angst and pain gave me time to digest it all. It was cathartic watching a woman handle herself with such poise, while she is met with dishonest, heartbreaking and challenging events of her life, not to be further degraded but to gather her strength, retain her warmth and rise above it. The music of Vivaldi complements so well this celebration of the invincible spirit.”

The San Luis Obispo Tribune’s Katy Budge called WOMAN’S STORY “a beautiful and mature film that tells the truth about personal relationships, the family and social threats to the human condition. Gary Conway relied heavily on his talents as a painter. Scenes are shaped with rich color, elegant baroque music, dramatic rural and urban landscapes, and understated, honest performances.”

And Kathryn Riddle wrote in Cleveland Currents: “WOMAN’S STORY is a stunning, provocative, intelligent film dignifying themes of renewal and strength through creativity.”

Gary Conway explains: “With WOMAN’S STORY I was committed to move the film form to a more visual place. As a painter all my life, I believe that film, at its best, is closer to painting than, let’s say, the novel or a play. Almost every shot, from the very first scene when Laurel, the heroine, is driving to town, relies on visual composition to convey the essential story, while underscoring the layered themes with mood and emotion. I wanted the close-ups to be portraits and the long shots – landscapes as well as the architecture – to be like paintings. I also wanted to celebrate all the arts in this film: painting, photography, drawing, sculpture, architecture, music, theater, dance, food and wine.”

WOMAN’S STORY deals with the central social and cultural themes of our time: how our “consumer-based” society is destroying the family structure, and with it a sense of woman’s innate value. Today 70% of parents and 79% of children end up in single-parent families. “People have been forced into economic and social decisions that make the family secondary,” Conway laments.

As part of a slow, deliberate, platform-release strategy, WOMAN’S STORY has already been shown in pre-release screenings at highly successful wine-food-art-movie premiere events in eight Ohio, Virginia and California cities. These community events have raised scholarship funds for major museums, schools and universities. In some cases, after the event, the towns set up special education programs and/or community art centers. To date, more than 200 scholarships have been created from the proceeds.

“I see true independent winemaking and filmmaking as very similar processes,” Conway concludes. “They both are the definitions of patience. On average it takes at least eight years to make and distribute an independent film. It takes the same from planting the vine to the barrel to the bottle. When you can put music, film, art, food and wine together, it creates a truly memorable event and gives us a chance to show the divine commonality between these art forms.”

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Yakov Smirnoff announced today that country-music star Joe Diffie will perform shows at Yakov’s Theatre in Branson, Missouri. Yakov said, “I’ve been looking for a great show to have at my theater at 8pm and when I heard that Joe might be interested in performing in Branson it felt like a good fit. When I came to Branson, Joe Diffie’s third album was going platinum. On Honky Tonk Attitude Joe was singing ‘Prop Me Up Beside The Jukebox’ and ‘John Deere Green’. I was learning how to say ya’ll and singing ‘From Red To Redneck’. Now Joe can help me learn just what it is that women love about a Pickup Man! What A Country!”

Joe Diffie said, “I started thinking about spending more time with my family so having a show in Branson really made a lot of sense. I can do what I love – perform my music in front of some of the best audiences you’ll ever find — and be with the ones I love. I’m excited about being in Branson because ‘Only in America’ can I have the same opportunities as Yakov. I’ll still be doing the Rockin’ Roadhouse Tour with Aaron Tippin and Mark Chestnut until I start shows in September at Yakov’s Theatre.” Joe Diffie’s Branson Show premières on Saturday, September 6, 2008. Shows will be Tuesday through Sunday at 8:00 PM. The show will feature Joe Diffie, various friends and family members, and comedian Paul Harris.

Career highlights for Joe Diffie include 12 #1 Hits, over 20 top 10 hits, two platinum albums, 2 gold albums, a CMA with George Jones, a Grammy, and the Humanitarian Award. Joe’s song Home was the first single to top the charts of all major-music business magazines simultaneously. His lists of hits includes If You Want Me To, If The Devil Danced In Empty Pockets, New Way To Light Up An Old Flame, Third Rock From The Sun, Ships That Don’t Come In, Prop Me Up Beside The Jukebox, Bigger Than The Beatles, Pickup Man, John Deere Green, Tougher Than Nails, and more. He has recorded hits with Mary Chapin-Carpenter such as Not To Much To Ask and received a CMA for Vocal Event of the Year with George Jones on I Don’t Need Your Rocking Chair. As a song writer Joe Diffie’s most recent hit, My Give A Damn’s Busted, was recorded by Jo Dee Messina. He has also written songs for Tim McGraw, Holly Dunn, Doug Stone, Tracy Lawrence, and others.

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Bill Medley, Paul Revere and Bob Leftridge Honor Entertainers.

The Branson Entertainment Hall of Fame, a non profit attraction, located in the Branson Mall, 2206 West Highway 76, announces the 2007 Inaugural Induction Sunday, November 4th, 2007 at 2:00 p.m. in the Branson Hall of Fame Theatre.

The talented Bob Leftridge, Baldknobbers’ emcee, vocalist and local celebrity will be master of ceremonies; while the equally gifted Bill Medley and Paul Revere of Dick Clark’s American Bandstand Theatre will serve as award presenters. Expect toe-tapping entertainment by the Branson Brothers at this historical event, along with heartwarming video memories and more. A special reception and Hall of Fame unveiling will follow the induction ceremony.

The Branson Entertainment Hall of Fame celebrates Branson’s entertainment history and recognizes those who have had a significant impact on the Branson entertainment industry. Over 70 nomination were accepted from the public through May 4th, 2007.

The Branson Entertainment Hall of Fame board of Directors is the sole voting body and bases their decisions on the significance of contribution to Branson’s entertainment industry and the quality of supporting documentation. The Inaugural Induction will feature 16 awards; including a special recurring Harold Bell Wright award.

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ABC’s Good Morning America will be live at Silver Dollar City, December 1st, 2007 from 6 a.m – 7 a.m. Branson is part of a 5-day special called “GMA Lights Up The Holidays”. The first 500 guests qualify to bring a new unwrapped toy and get a free return ticket to Silver Dollar City good for anytime in the month of December. The toys will go to benefit Love, INC.

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What’s happening in Vegas…Myrtle Beach, San Francisco, Raleigh, Savannah, Albany, Green Bay, Pittsburgh, Toledo, Colorado Springs and Salt Lake City…is a weekly television show featuring Branson, Mo., courtesy of Gene Williams and his Lucas Oil sponsored “Gene Williams Country Television Show.”

A winner of three 2007 National Telly Awards, the Gene Williams Show features celebrity guest stars such as Mickey Gilley, Ed McMahon, the Oak Ridge Boys and Roy Clark. Celebrities perform with Williams’ band, the Country Junction Band, and are interviewed up-close-and-personal by the legendary Williams and his co-host Katie Lynn.

“We were all waiting to see what Gene would do with his show after last year when he took his show to Puerto Rico. Top that he did, by adding more than a dozen prime markets to make his show broadcast to more than 36 million households weekly,” said Denny Yeary, Branson celebrity who serves as Williams’ live theater announcer and soloist. “This opens a new market for Branson, the live entertainment capital of the world, where the show has been taped live with a studio audience for the past six years.”

The new stations that carry the show are:

* Raleigh, N.C., WRAZ/FOX Channel 50 Sundays at 9:30 p.m.
* Savannah, Ga., WSAV/NBC Channel 3 Sundays at 9:30 a.m.
* Albany, N.Y. WTEN/ABC Channel 10 Sundays at 9:30 a.m.
* Green Bay, Wisc., WBAY/ABC Channel 2 Sundays at 9:30 a.m.
* Myrtle Beach, S.C. WBTW/CBS on Channel 13 Sundays at 9:30 a.m.
* Pueblo/Colorado Springs, Colo., KXRM/FOX Channel 21 9:30 a.m. Sundays
* Cadillac/Flynt, Mich., WPBN/NBC Channel 7 Sundays at 9:30 a.m.
* Toldeo, Ohio, WNWO/NBC Channel 24 Sundays at 9:30 a.m.
* Las Vegas Channel 6 on RTN’s KEGS at 9:30 a.m. Sundays.
* Salt Lake City Channel 3 on RTN’s KDBU at 9:30 a.m. Sundays.
* San Francisco Channel 4 MY’s KRON 10:30 p.m. Sundays.
* Pittsburgh Channel 59 WBGN/IND Saturdays at 11:30 p.m.
* Provo, Utah, KCBU/RTN Channel 3 Sundays at 9:30 a.m.

“It’s exciting to think we have added new viewers who will become Branson fans in these new markets. They will enjoy our country music, our comedy and our band. In the Country Junction Band we have some of the best pickers in Branson and in country music. We also have some of the best guest stars,” said Williams whose celebrity line-up is impressive.

In addition to Gilley, McMahon, the Oak Ridge Boys and Clark, Williams has welcomed Johnny Cash’s band The Tennessee Three, Doug Kershaw, Barbara Fairchild, Sons of the Pioneers, Jimmy Osmond, the Osmonds, Helen Cornelius, Leona Williams and Bob Anderson. Charlie Louvin, Narvel Felts, Margo Smith, Jim Owen, Cal Smith, Stonewall Jackson, Norma Jean, Mary Lou Turner, Ava Barber, Little Jimmy Dickens, Jean Shepard, Bill Anderson, Porter Wagoner, Buck Trent, Wanda Jackson, Johnny Lee, Fred Travalena and Razzy Bailey have also guest starred on his stage.

The Gene Williams Show is taped live at the Branson Hall of Fame Theatre at the Branson Mall on the world famous Hwy. 76. Admissions for the studio audience is free and the doors open at 1 p.m. for the first taping at 2 p.m. Three shows are taped approximately every third Sunday. Tapings scheduled to date are set for Oct. 28, Nov. 18, Dec. 2 and 16, and in 2008, Jan. 20, Feb. 10 and March 2.

Williams is credited with having the largest syndicated country music television show not affiliated with Nashville (where his show is telecast) and with breaking ground for country television. The Gene Williams Show began in 1963 in Arkansas and is now the longest running television show taped in Branson. In 2006 Williams’ television show was listed as the most popular TV show in national ratings on WNGS Buffalo/Rochester, N.Y. It was also listed as a favorite TV show in the March, 2006, issue of the national magazine, “Maxim.”

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. Two movies he made about country music featured 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. He holds a record in Arkansas of having nine days proclaimed Gene Williams Day by six governors including three times by former President Bill Clinton.

In July, he was presented the key to his hometown, Dyess, Ark., in appreciation for his support to help preserve the town’s history. He is helping save a historical building that will be used for a museum recognizing the town’s historical significance and its former residents, Johnny Cash, Tommy Cash and Williams. Recently he was nominated for induction into the inaugural group for the Hall of Fame Museum as an individual who has had a significant impact on Branson’s entertainment history. Last year he was honored with a historical marker in his hometown and presented an honorary doctorate degree from St. Martins College and Seminary, Milwaukee, Wis., in television and broadcast communications in recognition of his community commitment to the industry.
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 seven 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 star perform each week with Williams’ band, the Country Junction Band.

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Yakov Smirnoff took his comedy where no comedian has gone before…or at least where very few earthbound stars ever get to go. On Monday, October 15 at 2:30 PM Yakov teleconferenced with Astronaut Clayton Anderson, a flight engineer on the International Space Station. “It was really interesting. I had a very pleasant conversation for 45 minutes with the man from outer space. Sometimes people go too far when they talk to me, but I was flattered anyway,” said Yakov.

Anderson, who is part of Expedition 15, used his video camera to show Yakov around the International Space Station. “I learned how they use their space – no pun intended – efficiently by mounting their stationary bike on the ceiling. I mentioned to Clay that I might want to try that at home tonight, he suggested that I check with my insurance agent first,” said Yakov. “Along with learning about the astronauts’ space adventures, we also discussed how the world has changed so dramatically that now Clay is on a space station with two Russian cosmonauts. They like to eat American freeze-dried barbecue ribs and he likes to eat Russian hydrated Borscht.”

“I also found out that to us on earth the Space Station looks like a shooting star,” said Yakov. “I asked Clay to give me a call the next time it was going over Branson so I could make a wish. He was concerned that it was a long distance call and didn’t want to spend the taxpayers’ money. He told me just log on to NASA’s website; that way I can plan my wish in advance. What A Country!” The website is www.spaceflight.nasa.gov; the next possible sighting from Yakov’s home in Branson, Missouri is on Thursday, Oct 18 at 7:37 PM.

This is not the first time that NASA has requested Yakov’s support in honoring our astronauts. In 1999 Yakov was the featured speaker in Washington D.C. at the 42nd Annual Goddard Memorial Banquet honoring Senator John Glenn. Yakov said, “I’m honored to create laughter for these real-life heroes!” Astronaut Anderson is a member of Expedition 15 which is doing maintenance on the international space station. Expedition 15 launched on April 7, 2007; Anderson arrived in early June and will be heading home within 2 to 3 weeks on the Discovery shuttle.

The teleconference was facilitated in Reeds Spring, Missouri by the Reeds Spring TCRC which is an extension of the University of Missouri. Yakov says, “When I walked in to that room and on the monitor I saw the space station and realized that I was in a small town in the Ozarks and about to teleconference in real-time with outer space, the first thought from my mind was ‘beam me up Scottie! This whole experience was out of this world.”

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Plans are finalized for the 15th Billboard World Song Contest Awards Presentation Show & Performance on March 29, 2008 at Mansion America Theatre in Branson, MO.

First Place Winners, All Categories, will be invited to receive their award and perform their winning song onstage in front of music industry professionals, theatre owners and talent buyers.

EXTRA!!! In addition to the Billboard prizes, for the first time, from the live performance, a $5,000 Grand Prize winner, Runner-up ($1,500), and a second runner-up ($1,000), will be selected by industry jury. It furthers your chance to be seen, heard and discovered.

The Billboard World Song Contest opens 15th Annual Contest. Winners receive over $30,000 in prizes of equipment, merchandise and promotion.

The top three winners in each of the eleven categories will have their song featured on a CD that is distributed exclusively to music industry decision makers – record company heads, producers, A&R executives, music publishers, important artists and celebrities, agents, managers and others in the music industry. They listen!

This contest offers unparalleled exposure for up-and-coming songwriters. It’s the songwriter’s springboard to success.
Last year’s Country song winners, Stephen Desjardins, Lisa Firestone and Charles Harn landed a publishing deal for their song “When He Comes Home to Her”. First place Pop winners Peter Roberts and Ron Boustead’s song, “Fearless”, has been placed in the soon-to-be-released motion picture “Bratz”.

Song categories are: Rock/Alt Rock, Pop, Country, Latin, Folk/Americana, Jazz, Contemporary Christian/Gospel, R&B/Blues, Dance, Rap/HipHop and World. New category Electronica/Soundtrack seeks entries to this growing niche.

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Drive-through Displays Are in New Location for 2007

The Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce and Convention & Visitors Bureau is pleased to announce the schedule for the 2007 Branson Area Festival of Lights. Beginning on November 1 and all aglow through December 31, this year’s drive-through will be located at Shepherd of the Hills Expressway and Expressway Lane, close to the new Sight & Sound Theatre.

Experience the magic of an Ozark Mountain Christmas with the Branson Area Festival of Lights 2007 as all of Branson sparkles for the holidays. From fabulous Christmas shows and dazzling lights to spectacular shopping and breathtaking scenic beauty, Branson is a special gift for everyone in your family at this festive time of year.

The centerpiece, Branson Area Festival of Lights Drive-Through, will delight children of all ages. Your journey begins with a magical 1-mile drive along a path aglow with over 120 displays. Conveniently located off of Shepherd of the Hills Expressway at Expressway Lane, this one-of-a-kind family experience promises to be memorable.

Also in the Branson/Lakes Area you can enjoy extraordinary Christmas lighting displays at Silver Dollar City’s Old Time Christmas celebration, the Enchanted Forest on Indian Point Rd. and the Trail of Lights at Shepherd of the Hills.

Branson Area Festival of Lights Drive-Through is open daily November 1 through December 31, 2007 from 5:00 pm until 11:00 pm Sunday through Thursday and 5:00 pm through 12:00 am on Friday and Saturday.

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Kids who think they can cut the mustard are invited to audition at the Oscar Mayer/American Idol “Sing the Jingle, Be a Star” Nationwide Talent Contest at the World’s Largest TITANIC Museum Attraction in Branson Oct. 6-9, 2007. The Grand Prize winner will have an opportunity to star in a national Oscar Mayer TV commercial, attend the 2008 American Idol Finale Performance Show in Los Angeles, and take home $5,000 in cash!

“With all the talent here, we thought what better place to host a nationwide talent search than Branson,” said Mary Kellogg Joslyn, museum attraction co-owner. “We’d love to see this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity go to someone from our area,” she said.

The famous yellow and orange 27-foot hotdog on wheels, the Oscar Mayer WienerMobile™, will be on location Oct. 6-9 at the TITANIC Museum Attraction, the official audition headquarters for the Branson area. Guests of all ages are invited to hop on board the 14,000-lb. traveling icon to explore its condiment-splattered carpet, ketchup walkway, hotdog-shaped dashboard, and computerized control panel with a sound system to relish, during this free outdoor event.

Kids aged 6 and older who wish to audition should come prepared to impress the judges with their best version of one of the Oscar Mayer Jingles: the Oscar Mayer Wiener Jingle© (”I Wish I were an Oscar Mayer Wiener”), the Bologna Song© (”My bologna has a first name”), the Oscar Mayer Spanish Wiener Jingle© (”Cuando quiero algo bueno y sabroso”) or the Oscar Mayer Spanish Ham Jingle (”Yo le canto a mi jamon Oscar Mayer”). Visit www.singthejingle.com for complete jingle lyrics and contest rules.

Audition Dates & Times

* 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 6 & Sunday, Oct. 7
* Noon to 5 p.m., Monday, Oct. 8 & Tuesday, Oct. 9

For more information on this and other interactive special events coming to the World’s Largest TITANIC Museum Attraction, call (417) 334-9500 or visit www.titanicbranson.com.

The World’s Largest TITANIC Museum Attraction is Branson’s new landmark tourist destination. The 17,000 square foot, ship-shaped structure – built half scale to Titanic’s original size – towers more than 100 feet above its anchored position on Highway 76. A 90-minute, self-guided tour covers 20 galleries on two decks where more than 400 priceless artifacts that once belonged to Titanic’s passengers or crew are on display. None of the artifacts were retrieved from the ocean’s floor.

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