Multiple Grammy award winner Michael Bolton

BRANSON, Mo. The seasons and weather may change, but one thing that is a constant, in the place called “The live music show capital of the world,” is the variety and quality of its live entertainment. From the comedy to acrobats, horses to tigers and music representing just about every musical genre Branson has a choice of live entertainment available on a daily basis during the season, that is unsurpassed by any destination city in the world.

“The breadth of the entertainment offered in Branson becomes even more amazing when one considers the limited engagement performances performed during the year,” said Tammy Johnson, the Director of Operations for the Branson Tourism Center. “Just look at the amazing acts coming to Branson this Fall,” she continued. “And that’s in addition to all of Branson’s other great live shows. If a person wants live entertainment, in a friendly, safe, family environment, why would they go anywhere else?”

The following list, current as of August 17, 2011, shows the major limited engagement acts scheduled for this Fall in Branson. It includes a link for each to a show description, schedule, pictures and ticket prices and is sorted alphabetically by date:

Christian Action Ministries’ Gospel Sing-Off, September 4

Andy Williams with guest Ann-Margret, September 12 through October 22. The Andy Williams Christmas Show runs from November 1 through December 10.

Gatlin Brothers, September 20 – 22

Oak Ridge Boys, September 20 – 22

Bill Anderson – A Night With A Legend, September 23 and 24

Brule, October 4 – November 18

Gatlin Brothers, October 4 – 20

Oak Ridge Boys, October 4 – 20

Neal McCoy, October 6 – 28

Michael Bolton, October 8

Aaron Tippin, Sammy Kershaw and Joe Diffie, October 15

Mid West Country Stars, October 18 – 20

Tim Conway and Friends, October 21 – 22

Marty Stewart, October 21 – 22

Don Williams with guest Little Jimmy Dickens, October 22

Vicki Lawrence/Mama, November 4 – 5

Although not Fall limited engagements, Johnson suggests that those wanting to see the Andy Williams Christmas Show, Johnny Mathis Christmas Show November 18 – 19 or the Glen Campbell Farewell Concert, with special guest Restless Heart, December 2 – 3 should make their reservations as soon as possible.

For additional information or tickets for any of the limited engagement performances mentioned in this article or any of Branson’s other shows and attractions or for lodging arrangements please contact the Branson Tourism Center, one of Branson’s largest and most respected vacation planning services by either calling their toll free number 1-800-785-1550 or through their website www.BransonTourismCenter.com.

Ambrus Presley singing "I Will Always Love You."

BRANSON, Mo.  Every night, as the curtain of the Presleys’ Country Jubilee Show (Presleys’) goes up, the audience becomes part of two wonderful unique experiences. They become part of Branson history and get to enjoy the legendary, one of a kind, music and comedy variety show that has made the Presleys’ a have to see show in Branson for over 44 years.

The history “experience” really started over 44 years ago, in June of 1967, as Lloyd and Bessie Presley “grabbed for their dream” of performing in their own theatre in Branson. To make the dream a reality they sold their family home in Springfield, Missouri, moved their entire family to Branson and became “Branson’s original show on the strip.”

Performing in that show were two of their sons, Gary and his younger brother Steve who have been continuously performing as a regular part of the show ever since, Gary as the incomparably funny “Herkimer” and Steve as the show’s drummer. Their 44 year run is the longest continuous performance run of any Branson entertainer. Each night they step on the stage the audience gets to participate in a new page of Branson history as it is being written.

And what a fun and entertaining way to become a part of that history as the audience also gets to experience two of the most entertaining hours available on any Branson stage. In a 2007 review of Presleys’, which he has quoted in subsequent reviews of the show simply because that opinion has remained unchanged, this writer said, “It is doubtful that one will find a show that entertains them or their families more or that has more musical or comedic talent than Presleys’ Country Jubilee.” After seeing the 2011 show recently I would have to underscore that and, without taking anything away from the great entertainment experience this show has always been, say, “There is just something extra special about this year’s show.”

Greg Presley is a master on the harmonica.

Like many Branson shows, and for good reason, they helped create the model decades ago, Presleys’ follows the time tested Branson entertainment model of presenting a variety show of music, both vocals and instrumental, and comedy. That said however, it must be pointed out that it’s not what they do, but from music to comedy, how they do it that makes Presleys’ Country Jubilee the special unique entertainment experience it is and separates it from any other show in Branson.

The shows variety of music covers everything from rock and roll, to gospel, country, classical and more all performed by musicians and vocalist who are not only very good at what they do, but appear to love what they do and relate well to the audience. The Presleys bring their own unique style and arrangements to the music in their show. It’s a wonderful thing to sit in the audience and listen to these talented performers take a piece of music and “make it their own.”

Although there were many, in terms of writing this review, this writer’s three favorite vocal moments were Ambrus Presley singing the Dolly Parton Classic, “I Will Always Love You;” Kimberly Barber’s rendition of the song that won Miranda Lambert a Grammy in 2010, “The House that Built Me” and the Gospel classic, “I Bowed on My Knees” by the shows gospel quartet consisting of Bruce Haynes, Tim Gregg, Jay Wickizer and Chuck Crain. In terms of instrumentals, his three favorites would be, John Presleys’ unique rendition of “Chopsticks,” Greg Presleys’ great harmonica version of “Southbound” and the Presleys’ version of “Dueling Banjoes” with lead in by Mark Walker on the five string banjo.

"Herkimer," red shirt, and "Cecil," with a little assist from "Cecil Jr," provide their own unique and funny brand of comedy.

When it comes to comedy, the Presleys’ Country Jubilee is in a class by itself, not only in Branson, but anywhere, for the uniqueness, quality and variety of its humor. Whether it’s a one liner about today’s current events, a discussion of “Patti Possum Lips,” by “Herkimer,” played by Gary Presley; a comical demonstration of making a balloon “Poodle” for presentation to an audience member by his stage son, “Cecil,” who also happens to be his real son Eric or one of the many original comedy segments strategically placed throughout the show, the audience is kept in a constant state of laughter and expectation.  They simply don’t know what’s coming next from this zany and funny duo, or “Wait a minute, is that a trio, is there a ‘Cecil Junior?'”

One of the remarkable things about the Presleys’ Country Jubilee is that although the show is constantly changing and evolving, in terms of music and comedy, Presleys’ is the perfect example of “The more things change the more they remain the same.” Although the content, costuming and other aspects of the show change to provide new freshness, the basic quality and format that has endeared the Presleys’ to their audience for all these years has not. It is more than ever, “a special and unique Branson entertainment experience that cannot be duplicated anywhere else by anyone else.” Not to see the Presleys’ Country Jubilee while in Branson would be like going to New York City and not seeing the “Statute of Liberty.”

For additional information or tickets for Presleys’ Country Jubilee or any of Branson’s other shows and attractions or for lodging arrangements please contact the Branson Tourism Center (BTC), one of Branson’s largest and most respected vacation planning services. BTC can be reached by either calling their toll free number 1-800-785-1550 or through their website www.BransonTourismCenter.com.

Mister The "Git R Done," Larry the Cable Guy.

BRANSON, Mo.  “The ‘Git R Done’ man himself, Larry the Cable Guy and country music legend Tracy Lawrence will each be making a one performance limited engagement appearance at the Black Oak Mountain Amphitheater near Branson in Lampe, Missouri,” said Tammy Johnson, the Director of Operations for the Branson Tourism Center. “Larry the Cable Guy will be appearing at 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 20th and Tracy Lawrence at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, September 2nd,” she continued.

In describing the performances, the Branson Tourism Center’s website says, “‘Git R Done’ is part of American Culture. Larry has thrilled audiences in The Blue Collar Comedy Tour. He has three Gold Certified Comedy Albums and has starred in five major movies. He is known as the voice of ‘Mater’ in the Disney Films “Cars” and “Cars Two”. He has his own series on the History Channel ‘Only In America With Larry The Cable Guy’.

“Larry’s special guest at Black Oak is Reno Collier. Reno has had his own series “Comedy Central Presents” and has been featured on Blue Collar. This will be a Comedy Show you will not forget!

Country music legend Tracy Lawrence.

“Country Legend Tracy Lawrence’s incredible vocals have produced hits like ‘Sticks And Stones’, ‘Time Marches On” and ‘Paint Me A Birmingham’. He has 18 number one Country Hits.

“His guests ‘Steel Magnolia’ blasted to national fame by winning CMT’s ‘Can You Duet’. Their hit single, ‘Keep On Loving You’, is the highest rated new duet in the history of Billboard. ‘JaneDear girls’ are ‘the girls next door who really kick it’. ‘Wildflower’ has thrilled audiences with high energy, soaring vocals and world class instrumentals.”

The Black Oak Amphitheater is on State Highway H about 1.7 miles west of its intersection with State Highway 13 and about 23 miles from the center of the Branson Strip.

Branson Tourism Center’s Johnson suggests calling and booking these special limited engagement performances while seats are still available. For additional information or tickets for either Larry the Cable Guy or Tracy Lawrence please contact the Branson Tourism Center (BTC), one of Branson’s largest and most respected vacation planning services by either calling their toll free number 1-800-682-2021 or through their website www.BransonTourismCenter.com.

Shoji Tabuchi in his office during a recent interview.

BRANSON, Mo. One of the most popular shows in Branson for over two decades has been the Shoji Tabuchi Show. The great popularity of the show is attributable not only to the amazing talent of its star, but his supporting cast including one of the best bands in Branson and his very talented daughter Christina, great choreography, production, costuming and leading edge special effects.

In describing the Branson’s current show scene and the Tabuchi family’s influence on it, this writer wrote “five words just seem to fit together ‘fiddle,’ ‘production show,’ and ‘Shoji Tabuchi.'” Ever since Shoji started performing in his own theatre 22 years ago, he along with his wife Dorothy, have presented a show that sets the standard for “production” shows in Branson. Shoji said, “My wife Dorothy is the one who has made us the show we are. It is thanks to her vision, planning, and production.”

Shoji when referring to differences between the “violin” and “fiddle” said, “They are both the same instrument, it’s just how you fiddle around with them.” Branson’s most noted fiddle player began playing the violin at a young age when his mother started him playing using the “Suzuki method.” It wasn’t until Roy Acuff came to Japan and did a concert including “Listen to the Mocking Bird,” played on the fiddle, that Shoji decided to change the way he “fiddled” around with the violin and the rest is “History.”

He said, “It was his music and encouragement that inspired me to come to the United States and he was instrumental in having me play on the Grand Ole Opry in 1968. One of the numbers I played was ‘Listen to the Mocking Bird’ and the other was the ‘Orange Blossom Special.'” Shoji has two of Acuff’s favorite violins, one of which was presented to him by the Grand Ole Opry in commemoration of his 50th year with them.

Shoji points out that even with the large band and cast in their show that it is a family venture saying, “My daughter Christina sings and dances in the show and, as I have previously mentioned, my wife Dorothy produces the show.” He said that he loves performing in Branson because it gives him more time to spend with his family and enables him to perform in his own theatre, which was specifically designed for him, and allows him to perform his show the way he wants to giving the audience the very best show possible.

When asked why people coming to Branson should come and see his show Shoji said, ” Our goal, each and every year is to have our guests come see the show and walk away saying, ‘I didn’t think it could get any better, but it has!’ and to make our guests feel, at all times, from the time they drive into the parking lot to the time they leave, that they are very special and deserve the very best. The show is always new and exciting and there is truly ‘Something for everyone.'”