Collin Raye, Grammy winning country star who sings to the soul of country music.

Jimmy Osmond, the new owner of the Moon River Theatre said that he is honored to be able to maintain and continue the tradition and legacy of Andy Williams by providing the type of entertainment that is consistent with the desire and love, his friend and mentor, had for Branson and the quality of entertainment it offered. Osmond said that there will be over 300 performances in the theatre this year including their outstanding lineup of “house shows” with Illusionist Rick Thomas, The Lettermen, Moon River and Me, and The Andy Williams Christmas Show; limited engagement performances from stars such as Loretta Lynn, and over a dozen others and “The Hits” series

“The Hits,” is a series of shows involving three award winning stars performing at different times through the rest of the year:

June 1 – Sep 19: The Hits starring Collin Raye
Sep 21 – 31: The Hits starring Mary Wilson
Oct 19 – Oct 31: The Hits starring the Osmonds

Osmond was excited about Collin Raye’s upcoming performances for the summer season. He said, “I’m so thrilled that Collin is playing our Theatre in Branson. I’ve been a fan and a friend of Collin for some time and I know it will be great for his fans to treat their families to the award winning HITS of his great Variety Show, along with the hilarious comedy of Two Time Comedy Magician of the Year, Chipper Lowell.”

It has been said, “Country music, at its core, is all about stirring the heart and healing the soul, and nobody does both better than the irresistible ‘Collin Raye.’” He has won a “Grammy,” nine combined awards from the Academy of Country Music and the Country Music Association and has 20 Top Ten hits including songs such as, Love, Me; My Kind of Girl; In This Life; and I Can Still Feel You that all made #1 on “Billboard.”

Jimmy wasn’t the only one enthused about Raye coming to Branson. Collin said, “I am so excited to be in Branson this summer! A great destination of fun and entertainment for American families. Our show at the Moon River Theatre will be like nothing my fans have seen before. A variety of music, in a place where God and country still rule the day.”

“With the music of Collin Raye and the comedy and magic of Chipper Lowell, this will be a great show for the entire family,” said Annette Wood, the Director of Sales and Marketing for the Branson Tourism Center. For more information on The Hits starring Collin Raye, or tickets, please feel free to call the Branson Tourism Center 1-800-785-1550 or through its website, https://www.bransontourismcenter.com/

Shoji Tabuchi playing “Listen to the Mocking Bird.”

Shoji Tabuchi has said, “The fiddle and violin are the same instrument, their difference is how you ‘fiddle” around with them.” After seeing his show recently I can say, regardless of which instrument he is “fiddling around with,” from the first note to the last, it is simply a joy to listen to this master as he performs a variety of music ranging from “Live and Let Die,” the title song of the James Bond movie with the same name to “The Orange Blossom Special,” “Listen to the Mocking Bird,” a classical “Humoresque” and many styles in between.

If there was only Shoji that would be enough, but he is part of a production involving a live orchestra, singers and dancers, colorful costumes, beautiful choreography and excellent audience interaction. It is all superbly woven together into a two hour extravaganza of fast paced musical entertainment, by co-producers Dorothy and Christina Tabuchi that concludes all too quickly.

The dancers and vocalists, Alicia Winking, Robyn Hurst, Jeremy Sterling, Jonny Laughlin, Adam Henry and Norvin Breeck who is also the co-dance captain, are led by Shoji’s daughter, Christina Lingo-Tabuchi. She is also the show’s feature vocalist, vocal director, co-dance captain and the show’s co-producer. The versatility, talent and energy of these entertainers explodes onto the stage with a burst of energy and color as they open the show with “”Shake It Off” and, whether its dancing, singing a duet or playing the part of a cow, chicken or penguin, doesn’t let up until the curtain falls.

Christina Tabuchi, right and Alicia Winking during their performance of “Somethin’ Bad.”

Christina Tabuchi, in addition to being the co dance captain, is the show’s featured vocalist and sings a variety of solos and duets throughout the show demonstrating the range of her vocal talents. Two of my favorites would be her duet of the Miranda Lambert/Carrie Underwood hit, “Somethin’ Bad,” with Alicia Winking and her solo performance of the Lee Ann Womack hit, “I Hope You Dance,” which was simply beautiful and was dedicated to her daughter.

The show’s band, composed of Duggie Dugan, director and guitar player; Landon Rolf, bass; Anthony Walter:, drums, William Green, percussion; John Turner, piano; Carl Hose, Trombone and Wes Smith, flute and sax; does a magnificent job, not only from an instrumental perspective but in supporting all the diverse elements of the show. Of many, a prime example would be the shows big band number “Fly Me To The Moon” featuring the band, Shoji and the singers and dancers.

Of course the star of the show is the incredible Shoji Tabuchi who has been delighting Branson audiences with his blend of showmanship and fiddle and violin mastery for over 30 years. Whether he is playing the fiddle, which he does for the majority of the show, or the violin, from the first to the last note of every piece it is obvious that you are hearing and seeing a master of his craft performing.

From country to rock and roll to Elvis, Led Zeppelin and Brahms he performs a variety of musical styles. It’s extremely unlikely that there will be a greater variety of music presented at any concert or show featuring an instrumentalist playing the “fiddle and violin” and it’s a virtual certainty that you won’t hear one do it better. From among many, my three favorites were, “Through the Eyes of Love” from the movie “Ice Castles; the classical segment with “Humoresque,” “Brahms Lullaby” and “Little Night Music” and his extremely entertaining version of the song that turned a young Japanese violinist into a master fiddle player, “Listen to the Mocking Bird,” which he first heard performed when Roy Acuff and his band did a concert in Japan.

Giant Japanese “Taiko Drum.”

You will not want to miss the opening of the second half of the show, where the shows vocalists and dancers again demonstrate how multi-talented they are as, along with others, they open it with the “Taiko Drums,” from Shoji’s native Japan. Ten drummers play three different drums including the large “Odaiko” in a unique one of a kind performance. Make sure you watch the movements of the drummers on the smaller drums! Shoji plays “Sakura Sakura” and does a duet of “Sukiyaki,” with his daughter, Christina. The whole segment from the drums to the costuming and the music is something that will not soon be forgotten.

As I was watching the show I could not help but notice how much the group sitting just behind me was enjoying the show. At intermission I had a chance to chat with one of them, Jason Gillem, from Apple Valley, MN. He said that he was enjoying the show, would absolutely recommend it to others and that it was unique, energetic and reached out to all members of the audience.

Although an intangible, Shoji’s ability to relate to his audience, while playing, telling the story of how he came to be an American citizen or anyone of a variety of other anecdotes he shares periodically throughout the show, is an inherent part of the whole experience. As I have written before and would again ratify, “Simply put, Shoji Tabuchi is a master at his craft, loves what he does, relates to his audience not only on a musical, but personal level, surrounds himself with some of the best musicians, singers and dancers in Branson and stars in a unique, colorful and exciting one of kind entertainment production.”

For more information or tickets for the Shoji Tabuchi Show please contact the Branson Tourism Center, one of Branson’s largest and most respected vacation planning services by calling 1-800-785-1550 or through its website, www.BransonTourismCenter.com.

Material Connection

Luke Menard, far right with the rest of “New South,” David Ragan to his right, Mark McCauley and Drockelman.

Branson visitors are blessed to be able to see many national stars, including Billy Dean, The Osmonds, Collin Raye, Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers, Jimmy Fortune and many others whom they have probably seen on TV throughout their award winning careers. However, it would be impossible to offer the tremendous live entertainment Branson offers on a regular basis without the wealth of talent possessed by the many Branson performers who, although not blessed with national careers, are in many cases no less talented.

Just how talented is often reflected in how well they do, or have done, when they perform against literally thousands on national TV shows such as the prime time hits America’s Got Talent, American Idol and others. Let’s take a look at some who progressed beyond the preliminary rounds and where you may see them currently performing in Branson:

Jason Pritchard: Appeared on Season 2 of America’s Got Talent and made it to the Final 8.He is currently the band leader/guitarist for the “Steel Horses Band” and a featured vocalist in one of Branson’s most popular shows Billy Dean in Concert With Jarrett. In addition, he has “just released his first single, ‘Good Show’, off his upcoming EP ‘Independence Cowboy’ which was co-written by Billy Dean and is already climbing the charts!”

Luke Menard: Appeared on Season 7 of American Idol and was a Semi-Finalist. He is currently performing with one of Branson’s premier quartets “New South” in another of Branson’s most popular shows Grand Jubilee.

Jason Yeager: Also appeared on Season 7 of American Idol and was a Semi-Finalist. He is currently appearing on the Showboat Branson Belle, and is the vocalist for its “Celebrate Gold” show.

Texas Tenors: Were in the top four during Season 4 of America’s Got Talent. Although they have an extensive touring schedule, they perform throughout the year in Branson and their show, The Texas Tenors, is another of Branson’s most popular shows.

The Voices of Glory: Also appeared during Season 4 of America’s Got Talent finishing in 5th Place. They are currently appearing in their own Branson show, Ayo starring the Voices of Glory.

The Duttons: Appeared during Season 2 of America’s Got Talent, the season Terry Fator won, finishing in the top 10. The Duttons own their own theatre in Branson where they perform their extremely popular Duttons show during the regular Branson season.

Ok, we just have to add a seventh who most of you probably never saw on national TV because she was the first and did it before the current series of shows got started. That would be Ambrus Presley who, at the time was 13 and performed under her maiden name, Ambrus Smith, and won Ed McMahon’s “Next Biggest Star.” She had been performing, very successfully, in a variety of Branson shows since she was eight. Subsequently, Ambrus  started performing for Presleys’ Country Jubilee as a lead vocalist, where she is still performing today, married John Presley and is the proud mother of two boys Henry and Hank .