“Branson Cares” is the message the Branson community wants to send to victims of Hurricane Katrina – along with relief funds raised by a concert and a telethon set for Sunday, September 18 in the Southwest Missouri town known for live entertainment.

“Our neighbors to the south have shared our hospitality during the good times, and we want them to share our hospitality in the bad times too,” said Ann Stafford, event organizer and co-owner of the Jim Stafford Theatre in Branson. “Branson’s stars want to help with relief efforts and show that Branson cares – we want to reach out with the heart and soul of this community.”

The live concert will be at the Tri-Lakes Center on Hwy. 248, 7 p.m. Sunday, September 18. 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, Jim Owen, Legends In Concert, Hughes Brothers, Presleys’ Jubilee, Magnificent 7 Show, The World Famous Platters, Broadway!, Jim Barber, John Tweed, The Brett Family, Bob Anderson, Lennon Brothers & Gail Lennon, The Duttons, Dalena Ditto, Kirby VanBurch, New South Road To Rock and more!

The show will be broadcast live by Springfield NBC affiliate KY3 from 8-10 p.m. Central Time. The Branson Cares Benefit will be available via satellite for broadcast from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. by stations across the country. 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, with those station placement efforts currently underway.

As of press time, the following television stations 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. “U.S. Military personal around the world want to help the people here in the United States who have been adversely affected by Hurricane Katrina,” says Robert Brim, President of BransonConnection.com and Program Director for U.S.O. shows broadcast from Branson, Missouri. The University of Missouri St. Louis, the Missouri National Guard, and CenturyTel are providing the ITV connections for the show.

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 the Convoy of Hope trucks that will be on site during the Branson Cares Benefit. These items will be sent directly to the disaster area.

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