The “Branson Cares” Concert & Telethon has added more entertainment to the line-up for Sunday’s benefit for the victims of Hurricane Katrina, bringing the total to 38 performers from Branson shows. “As always, when our small town puts its talents into helping others, the response is heartening,” said Ann Stafford, event organizer and co-owner of the Jim Stafford Theatre.

The live concert will be held Sunday, September 18, at 7:00 PM at the Tri- Lakes Center on Hwy 248 in Branson, Missouri. Performers include:

Jim Stafford, Andy Williams, Yakov Smirnoff, Mickey Gilley, Ray Stevens, Pam Tillis, Marie Osmond, Moe Bandy, Petula Clark, Doug Gabriel, The Lennon Sisters, Les Brown Jr., Merrill Osmond, Baldknobbers Jamboree, New Shanghai Circus, Buck Trent, Ed Ames, Patti Page, Todd Oliver & his Talking Dogs, Cedric Benoit, Carol Lawrence, Road To Rock, New South, Jim Owen, Legends In Concert, Hughes Brothers, Presleys’ Jubilee, Magnificent 7 Show, The World Famous Platters, John Tweed, The Brett Family, Bob Anderson, Lennon Brothers & Gail Lennon, The Duttons, Dalena Ditto, Kirby VanBurch, Jim Barber & Broadway!

“There were so many entertainers volunteering for this effort to help our neighbors down south that we could have done a 24-hour telethon!” Stafford said. “Along with the Branson stars generously donating their talents, an incredible number of volunteers are working to put this together very quickly. Concert co-directors Bill Lennon and Doug Gabriel have created an extraordinary show for everyone. Folks can enjoy an amazing variety of talent and know that they are helping repair the hearts and lives of those affected so drastically by Hurricane Katrina.”

The show will also be broadcast live by Springfield NBC affiliate KY3 from 8-10 p.m. Central Time. KY3 has graciously donated the equipment, labor, and the satellite services for this event. KY3, in providing the live broadcast of the show and facilitating the satellite uplink, is making it possible for the telethon to be shown in communities throughout the country and Canada, with those station placement efforts currently underway.

As of press time, the following television markets had confirmed their schedules for airing the Branson Cares Concert & Telethon on September 18: KFJX Fox 14 in Joplin, Missouri from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. KNWA in Northwest Arkansas from 10:50 p.m. to 12:50 a.m. KARK 4 in Little Rock from 10:50 p.m. to 12:50 a.m. KVCT Fox 19 in Victoria, Texas from 9:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.

In addition, stations in Tulsa; Wichita Falls; St. Louis and Columbia, Missouri; Canada; and the worldwide Trinity Broadcasting Network are working on scheduling the telethon. Viewers are advised to call their local TV stations to check the schedule to see if their hometown stations are airing the Branson Cares Concert & Telethon.

U.S. Troops stationed around the world will be participating in the Branson Cares Telethon for Hurricane Katrina victims using an Interactive Television (ITV) connection. The University of Missouri St. Louis, the Missouri National Guard, and CenturyTel are providing the ITV connections for the show.

The League of Branson Theatre Owners and Show Producers (The League) is producing the Branson Cares Concert Benefit and Telethon. Other sponsors of the event are KY3 Television, the Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce & CVB, the City of Branson, a variety of area businesses, and numerous volunteers.

All proceeds from the concert and telethon will go to the American Red Cross Greater Ozarks Chapter and the Salvation Army. To purchase tickets to the live concert at the Tri-Lakes Center, 7 p.m. Sunday, September 18, please call 417-336-0219.

Visitors are also encouraged to bring non-perishable food items, socks, underwear, hygiene kits, and toys to the benefit for Convoy of Hope, which will have trucks on site during the Branson Cares benefit. These items will be sent directly to the disaster area.

Donations to the Branson Cares relief effort may be made to: Branson Cares c/o The League of Branson Theatre Owners and Show Producers Post Office Box 5083 Branson, Missouri 65615

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