Grand Jubilee's" New South", Jason,left, Trey, Jason and Mark.
“The ‘Grand Country Music Hall,’ stands out, even in Branson, Missouri, the ‘Live music show capital of the world,'” said Tammy Johnson, the Director of Operations for the Branson Tourism Center. “It offers a variety of entertaining, exciting and funny shows on a regular basis that is not available anywhere else in Branson.”
Mike Patrick, the General Manager of the Grand Country Music Hall (Grand Country), producer, and a cast member in two of its shows said, “We offer eight different shows on a regularly scheduled basis providing fun and enjoyment that covers the complete entertainment spectrum. We have it all from animal acts to gospel, country and just about any music genre a person could want along with some of the best comedy on the planet.”
Patrick, with the assistance of associate producer Andy Holloway, the cast and musicians in the shows, produces and directs all of the shows. Patrick explained that he has been involved with just about every aspect of the Branson entertainment industry since 1990 and is still performing in two of the shows being performed at Grand Country, the Grand Jubilee and tBranson Country USA. When asked what he believes makes a great show he said, “One that the audience relates to and enjoys. I just love it when I see our audiences laughing, interacting with the cast and having a great time. That’s what it’s all about.”
Grand Jubilee is an evening musical comedy variety show featuring the vocals of “New South,” a male quartet consisting of lead vocalist, Trey Wilson, tenor Jason Robinson, baritone Jason Pritchett and bass Mark McCauley. New South is one of the most talented singing groups in Branson and is noted for their tight harmonies, power and vocal range, singing everything from the Eagles and Beatles to gospel, country and pop. New South provides the main vocal thrust in three of Grand Country’s shows the Grand Jubilee, New South Gospel and Branson Country USA. Jackie Brown is featured the female vocalist and Todd Bradshaw the male vocalist. The comedy is provided by one of Branson’s funniest comedians, the multitalented Jamie Haage as “Jim Dandy” with Patrick as the straight man and the show’s emcee.
The cast of the hillariously funny Comedy Jubilee.
The Comedy Jamboree is an afternoon musical variety featuring the vocals of the “Jamboree Singers,” Jackie Brown, GiGi Hutchison, Jon Drockelman, Justin Tews with featured male vocalist and emcee Todd Bradshaw. The comedy is provided by comedians Shannon Thomason as “Apple Jack” and Jeff Jenkins as “Guppy McGee.” This show has it all, hilarious, clean comedy, floor-pounding clogging and dancing and all your country favorites.
Patrick points out that the basic musical comedy format is the same for both the Grand Jubilee and Comedy Jubilee. He adds that there is plenty of side splitting comedy for everyone in both show, but there is more emphasis on comedy in the Comedy Jubilee show.
Down Home Country is a traditional classic country music show that will take you back in time to enjoy the classics of George Jones, Hank Williams, Merle Haggard, Waylon Jennings and many more. The host and featured vocalist is Bob Davison with the female vocals provided by Melody Hart who also plays the fiddle. Patrick points out that although fiddle players Wayne Massengale and Melody Hart are married and have been playing in Branson for years this will be the first time they have performed in a show together.
New South Gospel is offered only on Thursday afternoons and features New South and female vocalist Jackie Brown. The show was developed in response to audience requests for New South to do more gospel music and provides a wide range of gospel music “from the early roots of southern gospel to the hand-clapping gospel hits of today and from the Jordanaires to Bill Gaither.”
Amazing Pets is a morning show that is completely different from any other show, not only at Grand Country, but in Branson. It features Valery Tsoraev, Olga Demicheva and Anna Savvina with an amazing troupe of trained dogs and cats performing amazing feats that amazes young and old as well as the birds of Alena Oulianova and the mule and turtles of Tony King. Add a lot of audience participation from kids in the audience and the comedy and hosting of Chris Stanley and the result is a unique entertainment experience that will be enjoyed by “kids” of all ages.
Sunday Gospel Jubilee is offered only on Sunday afternoon and is the continuation of a two decade Sunday gospel tradition featuring the Bacon Family performing your gospel favorites as only they and their familial harmonies can. It also features Randy Plummer, bass guitar and vocals; Lance Taylor, Piano and vocals, Eric Michel, drums; Michael Davis, lead guitar and George Geiser, steel guitar.
Ozark Jubilee is offered only on Sunday evening and “celebrates the country classics of yesteryear combined with today’s hot, country hits. The show is presented by the Bacon Family and the same cast that presents the Sunday Gospel Jubilee.
Branson Country USA is a 10:30 p.m. show offered only on Friday co-hosted by Jamie Haage, as Jim Dandy, and Patrick. The show features the vocals of New South and Jackie Brown, the Grand Band and has a rotating roster of Branson talent consisting of stars such as Mickey Gilley and the up-and-coming stars of tomorrow.
Patrick points out that it takes talented musicians to support the variety of shows and music performed at Grand Country and proclaimed that the musicians of the “Grand Band” are second to none. The band consists of Michael W. Davis and Tracy Heaston, piano and keyboard; Wayne Massengale, fiddle and acoustic guitar; Larry Allred, bass guitar; Rob Blackburn, drums; Matt Hanshaw, lead and acoustic guitar and Danny Yancey, steel and acoustic guitar and banjo.