Branson News Guide

Jim Stafford, critically-acclaimed by the Chicago Tribune as the “Victor Borge of the guitar”, is adding two more dates to the 2005 schedule of his Branson show, Monday, May 2nd, and Tuesday, May 3rd at 7:30 PM.

Jim Stafford says, “Originally I thought I’d take these days off to play and then I thought, wait a minute — the people I want to play with are in my audiences! So, we added the shows and also decided to make them area appreciation days for the residents of Stone and Taney County. They need a little play time too!”

Jim Stafford will debut his new 2005 show, “Comedy with Heart!” on these dates, blending classic Stafford numbers with new guitar, dance, and comedy. Also, Jim’s children– Shea and G.G.–will debut new numbers as they continue to amaze audiences with their musical abilities. “The Jim Stafford Show is unique to Branson as each number is produced to explore human emotion, from love of family to hilarious laughter. The same feeling goes into his guitar; he makes the guitar sing to thrill your heart, then he puts in a move that is hilarious. The audience never knows what is coming,” comments Lianne Milton of Branson Tourism Center.

As Richard Freihofer of the Branson Church Getaway Magazine says, “Jim Stafford is not just a comedian…he is an artist who uses the spoken word to paint hilarious pictures of people being themselves. He finds the words to remind us about what is important in life, and he’s a master at portraying the human spirit!”

Earlier this year, Jim’s theatre underwent an extreme makeover to the seating, lobby, lighting, and sound to provide first-class accommodations for Jim’s audiences. Reservations can be made to fly first-class at the Jim Stafford Theatre in luxurious VIP seating with extra high backs and legroom. General seating has been upgraded as well for more comfort and space. The Stafford Theatre provides the ultimate in luxury seating to Branson audiences.

The Jim Stafford Theatre presents three shows a day during 2005. The Jim Stafford Show runs Monday through Saturday at 7:30 PM. In the afternoons, “50’s At The Hop” performs at 2:00 P.M. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday with an additional show on Sundays at 8:00 P.M. Doug Gabriel performs his award-winning morning show at 10 AM Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday in May along with hosting the second year of “Branson Spotlight”, Branson’s premier talent search, on Fridays at 11:00 PM. Tim Hill’s ministry presents “The Suns of Thunder” Morning Worship Service each Sunday morning at 10 AM, free to the public.

Main Street Hoops 3-on-3 Basketball will be Saturday, April 23, 2005 in Downtown Branson. The games begin at 8 a.m.

Admission is free for spectators, so bring the whole family to cheer on your favorite teams. The action takes place at North Commercial Street and Atlantic Street.

Not only is there a day filled with Basketball fun, but every player gets a free T-shirt. Winners in the children and youth divisions up to age 14 will also receive trophies.

Street basketball rules for 3-on-3 apply to this tournament. There are divisions for youth and children starting at age 7. A range of adult team divisions will give the “Top Guns” and even the Couch Potatoes a day of fun and tough competition. Corporate teams are also encouraged to enter.

The team entry fee is $40. Teams of three to four players may enter. The deadline to enter is April 20. After that, the entry fee will be $50.

Don’t miss out on the action call today!

Gas Buster Promotion Runs April 8 to September 30, 2005

Visitors will be rewarded with Gas Buster discount cards at Branson area businesses, when they bring the gas receipts incurred during their trips to Branson this summer to one of the Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce & CVB Welcome Centers, located at the intersections of U.S. Highway 65 and Mo. 248, and at Hwy. 65 and Mo. 160.

Visitors should present a valid driver’s license and proof of gas purchases totaling a minimum of $40, incurred within 2 days of arrival, at one of the Welcome Centers in order to receive the Gas Buster punch card worth $50 in discounts at participating area shows, attractions, restaurants, lodging and retail businesses.

Gas Buster discount cards and the accompanying list of participating sponsors will only be issued from the two Chamber/CVB Welcome Centers. Business hours are 8am to 5pm, Mondays through Saturdays and 10am to 4pm on Sundays. The Gas Buster promotion runs from April 8 through Sept. 30, 2005.

According AAA’s website on April 5, 2005, the average cost of regular unleaded gasoline in Missouri was $2.129 per gallon compared to the national average of $2.198 per gallon.

The results of a survey of 3,000 AAA members from Missouri, Illinois, Kansas and Indiana in a recent “AAA Midwest Traveler” magazine showed that 51% of motorists polled said they will be taking the same number of leisure trips this year compared to last year; 39% will be reducing their number of trips; and 10% will increase their number of leisure trips this year.

AAA Missouri Public Affairs Specialist, Don Redman said 48% of those polled reported that gasoline would have to reach $2.50 per gallon and higher before they would seriously consider making major changes in their lifestyle or driving habits to accommodate the higher prices. Fifteen percent of those polled said gas prices in excess of $4 per gallon wouldn’t cause them to make any change.

“We’d like visitors to consider Branson this summer, whether they take more, fewer or shorter trips,” said Ross Summers, president and CEO of the Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce & CVB.

“Branson is located within a day’s drive of 1/3 of the country’s population and this makes us very accessible to families looking for world-class entertainment, theme parks, shopping, and outdoor and lake recreation,” he said.

“The Gas Buster discount promotion was developed by our business community so that families wouldn’t have to let gas prices stand in the way of the fun they could be having in Branson this summer,” Summers said.

Silver Dollar City’s New Bluegrass & BBQ Festival Presents the Best of Roots Music and an All-American ‘House of BBQ’

Silver Dollar City’s Bluegrass & BBQ is an all-new festival that sizzles with the upbeat sounds of American bluegrass music, along with the aromas and flavors of a huge all-American barbecue. The new festival features the most talented artists of the popular roots music genre, from bluegrass legends to rising starts, as barbecue specialties from around the country are served up hot and spicy, from pit-style cooking on the Square to a feast at the House of BBQ. Bluegrass & BBQ debuts May 21 and runs daily through June 5 at the theme park near Branson, MO.

The festival serves up a musical feast with more than 430 performances over 16 days. Grand Ole Opry star and double Grammy winner Marty Stuart performs May 28, headlining a lineup of national touring bluegrass bands on stages throughout the park, continuing the park’s reputation of being “one of the most significant and vital presenters of live bluegrass music anywhere in the world,’ according to the International Bluegrass Music Association.

Visiting bands include Grammy nominee and 2004 Dove Award winner Blue Highway, ten-time SPBGMA “Entertaining Band of the Year” Rarely Hear, 1997 Dove Award winner The Issacs, 2003 SPBGMA International Band Champions the Randy Kohrs Band, as well as hot new artists such as NewFound Road.

Taking center stage for dining is the House of BBQ, an entire barn full of barbecue flavors, with grill styles from smoky Texas-style barbecue to sweet Kansas City favorites, Memphis dry rubs and Carolina vinegar-based sauces, served up home-style with roasted corn on the cob, potato salad, watermelon and fresh-squeezed lemonade. The barbecue banquet begins on the Square with demonstrations of pit-style cooking and hundreds of sauces to sample, compiled from around the country.

The combination of entertainment with the large number of performances, the food event and the park’s attractions is something no other bluegrass festival can offer, said D.A. Callaway, the Bluegrass & BBQ music coordinator. “Silver Dollar City began hosting bluegrass events in 1975, and we found that bluegrass harmonies, acoustic instruments and traditionalism make this type of music a favorite with our guests. Add America’s favorite food and we’ve got a great festival.”

Young bluegrass artists from around the country compete for honors and cash prizes as the park hosts the Youth in Bluegrass Band Contest, May 28-29.

Each evening, Silver Dollar City’s Echo Hollow Amphitheater features Classic Country Nights, with Jim Dandy and the Time Machine Band along with a cast of 10 talented singers and dancers performing the top country hits of the ’60s, ’70s and ’80s. A special guest bluegrass group from the day’s performances will perform in the show each night.

Silver Dollar City also features rides and attractions including PowderKeg, a new super launch roller coaster that launches riders from 0 to 53 miles per hour in just 2.8 seconds, five festivals, a dozen restaurants and over 100 demonstrating craftsmen.

Silver Dollar City’s New Bluegrass & BBQ Festival Presents the Best of Roots Music and an All-American ‘House of BBQ’

Silver Dollar City’s Bluegrass & BBQ is an all-new festival that sizzles with the upbeat sounds of American bluegrass music, along with the aromas and flavors of a huge all-American barbecue. The new festival features the most talented artists of the popular roots music genre, from bluegrass legends to rising starts, as barbecue specialties from around the country are served up hot and spicy, from pit-style cooking on the Square to a feast at the House of BBQ. Bluegrass & BBQ debuts May 21 and runs daily through June 5 at the theme park near Branson, MO.

The festival serves up a musical feast with more than 430 performances over 16 days. Grand Ole Opry star and double Grammy winner Marty Stuart performs May 28, headlining a lineup of national touring bluegrass bands on stages throughout the park, continuing the park’s reputation of being “one of the most significant and vital presenters of live bluegrass music anywhere in the world,’ according to the International Bluegrass Music Association.

Visiting bands include Grammy nominee and 2004 Dove Award winner Blue Highway, ten-time SPBGMA “Entertaining Band of the Year” Rarely Hear, 1997 Dove Award winner The Issacs, 2003 SPBGMA International Band Champions the Randy Kohrs Band, as well as hot new artists such as NewFound Road.

Taking center stage for dining is the House of BBQ, an entire barn full of barbecue flavors, with grill styles from smoky Texas-style barbecue to sweet Kansas City favorites, Memphis dry rubs and Carolina vinegar-based sauces, served up home-style with roasted corn on the cob, potato salad, watermelon and fresh-squeezed lemonade. The barbecue banquet begins on the Square with demonstrations of pit-style cooking and hundreds of sauces to sample, compiled from around the country.

The combination of entertainment with the large number of performances, the food event and the park’s attractions is something no other bluegrass festival can offer, said D.A. Callaway, the Bluegrass & BBQ music coordinator. “Silver Dollar City began hosting bluegrass events in 1975, and we found that bluegrass harmonies, acoustic instruments and traditionalism make this type of music a favorite with our guests. Add America’s favorite food and we’ve got a great festival.”

Young bluegrass artists from around the country compete for honors and cash prizes as the park hosts the Youth in Bluegrass Band Contest, May 28-29.

Each evening, Silver Dollar City’s Echo Hollow Amphitheater features Classic Country Nights, with Jim Dandy and the Time Machine Band along with a cast of 10 talented singers and dancers performing the top country hits of the ’60s, ’70s and ’80s. A special guest bluegrass group from the day’s performances will perform in the show each night.

Silver Dollar City also features rides and attractions including PowderKeg, a new super launch roller coaster that launches riders from 0 to 53 miles per hour in just 2.8 seconds, five festivals, a dozen restaurants and over 100 demonstrating craftsmen.