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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Once a year, Branson packs a little bit of everything it has to offer into five fun-filled days showcasing world-class performers, local arts and culture, and authentic Branson fare. BransonFest welcomes spring with a virtual smorgasbord of everything this amazing tourist destination has to offer – and all in one location!

Celebrating its 16th year, BransonFest 2008 is set for April 8-12 at Dick Clark’s American Bandstand Theater complex. At the daily “Big Shows” inside, you can sample some of Branson’s best shows each day. If you attend all the Big Shows, you’ll sample at least 50, yes, 50 shows! No wonder this festival has been named a “Top 100” Event in North America by the American Bus Association since 2004!

The five-day event kicks off on Tuesday, April 8th. Activities begin at Noon on the grounds and the first “Big Show” is in the American Bandstand Theatre at 7:00 pm. Wednesday thru Saturday, the outdoor activities begin at 9 a.m. and the daily “Big Shows” are at 10:00 a.m. and 2 p.m. Big Show group ticket price, including tax, is $28 per show.

And if that’s not enough to whet your appetite, the daily outdoor activities in the Real American Entertainment Tent and the Hospitality, Business and Arts tents are free and open to the public. BransonFest 2008 is your chance to sample the multi-dimensional experience that Branson offers its more than seven million visitors annually.

Outdoor Activities

The Real American Entertainment Tent features outstanding entertainment all day long! Enjoy a variety of performances and local talent from Branson’s shows and organizations – and there’s no admission charge.

In the Taste of Branson Food Tent, Branson’s finest eating establishments offer for purchase a variety of local and traditional dishes. From ribs to pizza, soup, sandwiches or a Vigilante Taco – be prepared to enjoy! The Food Tent Stage has special presentations highlighting food and entertainment.

The Hospitality and Business Expo Tent features over 70 booths with representatives from area theaters, attractions, businesses and several area civic organizations. They’re there to answer your questions about everything that’s new with the shows and entertainment at their venues. Enter to win prizes and even visit with your favorite Branson entertainers, one-on-one, during special autograph sessions.

The Arts, Culture & Heritage Tent, sponsored by the Branson Arts Council, showcases Ozark Mountain Art, culture and history. Nationally recognized local artists display and often demonstrate their unique craftsmanship. Meet a featured artist, author or musician at daily autograph sessions.

BransonFest Streetmosphere is featured throughout the festival in the outdoor courtyard area between the tents. Dance troupes, magic acts, special demonstrations, and costumed characters entertain during the beautiful spring days of BransonFest. Children’s activities are featured on Saturday.

Nature is on display, too!

BransonFest celebrates spring — a special time of renewal in America’s Live Entertainment Capital. Branson, Missouri, is nestled in the beautiful Ozark Mountains where Mother Nature puts on a spectacular show with brilliant displays of flowering trees (dogwood, redbud, Bradford pear) and bushes (forsythia, crepe myrtle, lilac) contrasting against the dark green cedars and beginning-to-leaf-out trees. There’s also a plethora of colorful flowers dotting the landscape, signaling the annual period of rebirth and renewal in the Ozarks. It’s also the perfect time to explore scenic nature trails, walking paths and shorelines of area lakes and recreational facilities.

Big Shows Mean Big Entertainment!

BransonFest is a great opportunity to sample the best of Branson and decide for yourself what you’ll want to come back and enjoy even more of in 2008! Tent and Outdoor Activities are free.

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Folks who visit Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede during the Christmas season will be amazed by the unbelievable transformation. Opening Wednesday, October 24th, Christmas at Dixie Stampede converts the dinner and show into a beautiful holiday spectacular. From the festive show theme and the full-scale live nativity scene including camels, donkeys and sheep to the gorgeous decorations throughout the building and the warmth of traditional holiday music.

Back by popular demand this year, Dixie Stampede Dinner and Show adds a touch of grace to the holidays with a special performance by professional Adagio ice skaters, Alicia Cavanaugh & Michal Przyk.

Alicia is a USA triple gold medalist (singles, pairs & moves-in-the-field) and was a US National team member in 2001. She accepted her first professional contract in 2002 and since then Alicia has performed as a principal soloist around the world including shows such as Holiday on Ice, Festival on Ice and on board the Royal Caribbean Cruise line ships to name a few. Michal (known as Mikki) is from Poland and was a Polish National Dance competitor for several years. Mikki also toured with Holiday on Ice as a dance pair soloist and has also been featured in productions in the USA, Germany and throughout Eastern Western Europe. Combined, their style, grace and strength are becoming well known throughout the professional skating world. Alicia’s and Mikki’s goals for the future include seeing the world and entertaining audiences together for years to come!

“We wanted to give families more joyful entertainment during the Christmas season,” says owner, Dolly Parton. “The special effects like the ice skaters and live nativity scene really bring the holiday season to life. I can’t wait for folks to experience this year’s Christmas show – it’s going to be great.”

Christmas at Dixie features a seasonal twist with a friendly rivalry between the North and South Poles full of equestrian feats, graceful riders, and audience participation games like wreath tossing and a stick reindeer race. The 90-minute production is highlighted with ice skaters descending from the ceiling on a specially designed skating platform and gliding under the stars to a brisk holiday soundtrack.

Celebrating the true meaning of Christmas, the birth of Jesus is brought to life with Mary, Joseph, the wise men, and a living nativity of live camels, donkeys, and sheep. In addition, Santa himself makes an appearance in his sleigh, as Dixie’s 1100-seat arena is transformed into a winter wonderland of fresh fallen snow.

Christmas at Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede is complimented by a holiday feast of a whole rotisserie chicken, hickory smoked barbecue pork loin, herb-basted potato, buttery corn on the cob, creamy vegetable soup, homemade biscuit, and an apple turnover for dessert.

Christmas at Dixie Stampede runs October 24th, 2006 through December 31st, 2007. One ticket price includes the Carriage Room pre-show, the main arena Christmas At Dixie Stampede Dinner & Show and a collector series Souvenir Boot Mug with a speciality soft drink.

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