Jim Stafford performing his rendition of "Wildwood Flower."

BRANSON, Mo. “Laughter has its own way out if you try to hold it in,” says Jim Stafford as he begins two hours of making it just about impossible not to laugh. As I was reviewing a recent performance of the Jim Stafford Show for the Branson Tourism Center, one of Branson’s largest and most respected vacation planning services, it was easy to see how this remarkable entertainer has gained iconic status in Branson over his 22 years of entertaining Branson audiences with his unique brand of humor, charisma, and musical talent.

Jim’s comedy is the mainstay of the show and is worked in throughout to keep the audience in a constant state of anticipation and laughter. He has a unique style and ability that gets the audience involved in the humorous stories he is telling about things to which we can all relate. For example, most of us have all been in a hot tub at one time or another, but after hearing about Jim’s hot tub escapade it is doubtful any of us will ever get into a hot tub again without chuckling.

The shows first number, “Let the Good Times Roll” really tells the story of what is going to be happening for the next two hours as the audience experiences one of the most unique comedy and musical presentations on any stage in Branson. It’s not just the music or the humor, although that would be enough, but it’s the way it is combined to flow effortlessly from one segment to the next along with great special effects.

From lighting and sound to holography, black light and 3D, this show is packed with special effects. This writers favorite and one that really appealed to the kids in the audience, was the “black light” presentation in conjunction with Jim’s performance of  “Spiders and Snakes.” The shows use of 3D in the second half was another segment that, while entertaining the whole audience, just had the kids mesmerized.

Shea and GG Stafford perforning "Chariots of Fire."

I could not help, but notice that the show held the interest of the whole audience, including children, as it effortlessly went from one exciting segment to another. While being primarily an adult show its special effects, surprises like the “stampede” and the tossing of cow patties make this an ideal show for both adults and children.

Jim is also a talented musician on a number of instruments, particularly the acoustical guitar. His rendition of “Malaguena” is simply beautiful and I loved his rendition of the old country classic “Wildwood Flower, but it should be remembered that in this show laughter could be but a note away. Jims two children, his daughter GG and son Shea play a variety of music throughout the show from GG’s unique version of the old rhythm in blues standard “Get Your Kicks on Route 66” to Shea’s rendition of the fiddle classic “Orange Blossom Special.” This writer’s personal favorite was their version of “Chariots of Fire” with Shea on the piano and GG on the harp.

Perhaps the words of Patina and Don, from Maine, who attended the same show I did, sum up the Jim Stafford Show experience best. “When we came to the show, we were in a blah mood because of the rain, clouds and no sun, but we’re in a light hearted sunny mood now. He’s really funny and so personable. His son and daughter are so fantastic on the piano. I loved the whole show and his guitar playing, but my favorite part is when he tells his jokes. We definitely recommend this show, it’s fantastic.” And to that this writer would say, “Amen.”

What a funny musical journey it is from this in Paris, Texas...

In one of the funniest and most relaxed interviews he has ever had the pleasure of participating in, Matthew Lord, one of the 3 Red Neck Tenors set him straight on a couple of things. There are actually four and not all of them are tenors. He plays “Billy Joe” in the show along with “Billy Bob” and “Billy Billee,” who was named after his ma’s pa “Billy Floyd” and his pa’s pa “Billee Duane” from which they came up with the “imaginatory” name of “Billy Billee.”

Lord said that in spite of the name of the show and its humorous content, “There’s not a red neck joke in our show” explaining that the show is actually about the humorous and musical journey of “3 Red Necks” from a trailer park to the opera in New York City and they wouldn’t be making “red neck” jokes about themselves. Actually, having seen the shorter version of the 3 Red Neck Tenors that appeared in Branson last year, this writer can testify that this show doesn’t need “pure red neck jokes” to have you rolling in laughter. Click here for his review of that show.

Lord points out that the show artfully incorporates a blend of unique humor and a variety of music including country, pop and classical into a two hour comedy and musical entertainment experience that entertains audiences of all ages. When asked if people have expressed a desire for one type of music more than another he said that happens. Some want more pop or country etc, but the “most popular number we do in the show, bar none, is ‘Nessun dorma’ from the opera ‘Turandot’ by Puccini and made extremely popular by Pavarotti.” Having heard the number last year in their show this writer can readily understand the truth in that statement.

to this in Carnegie Hall. Left to right, Alex Bumpas a.k.a. Billy Joe, Matthew Lord, a.k.a. Billy Bob and Blake Davidson, a.k.a. Billy Billee

He said that audiences really appreciate the patriotic medley at the end of the show. Lord said it was not put in the show just for Branson, but was designed into the show six years ago when it was originally written, in part in honor of his dad who was a Veteran of World War II and Korea. As is the case with the whole show, it is performed in Branson exactly the same way as it has been performed since the beginning including their performances in Las Vegas because it was conceived and written for the whole family to enjoy and required no cleaning up or modifying for Branson audiences.

Lord said they are looking forward to being able to present their full two hour show for a full season in Branson at the beautiful Mansion Theatre. “The addition of the ‘3 Redneck Tenors’ to the exciting lineup of live shows in Branson adds another unique quality entertainment experience for Branson visitors to experience,” said Tammy Johnson, the Director of Operations for the Branson Tourism Center who also points out that they are scheduled to perform in Branson from April 22 through December 10.

For additional information or tickets for the 3 Red Neck Tenors 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 by either calling their toll free number 1-800-785-1550 or through their website www.BransonTourismCenter.com.

Jim Stafford performing during March 31st matinee.

As would be expected in Branson, Missouri, a place noted as the “Live music show capital of the world,” there are any number of reviews written on its shows by Branson writers including this writer. Almost without exception, they are a “review” and description of the contents of the show and are not a formal critical review, which in the opinion of this writer, would be meaningless in the Branson entertainment environment of just having fun.

It has been this writer’s experience that Branson has some of the finest musicians, singers, shows and productions available anywhere. The people who come to Branson are not coming to write a critique or critical review of its shows, but to be entertained by and have fun at those shows. It is in that spirit that these mini personal reviews present the comments made by people, indicated only by their first name, on the Branson  shows  they have seen in the last week or so.

Presleys’ Country Jubilee

Mary – “I just loved it from beginning to end. It is my favorite show in Branson. I have seen it 20 times over the years and this is their top show. In fact we liked it so much we bought the shows DVD.

“I just loved the comedy and the jokes. Herkimer [Gary Presley] and Cecil [Eric Presley] are too much and the kids just loved it. They have such colorful costumes, the band is excellent and Ambrus [Presley] sings “I Will Always Love You,” so beautifully. The show was just superb.”

Jim Stafford Show

Patina and Don – “When we came to the show, we were in a blah mode because of the rain, clouds and no sun, but we’re in a light hearted sunny mood now. He’s really funny and so personable. His son and daughter are so fantastic on the piano. I loved the whole show and his guitar playing, but my favorite part is when he tells his jokes. We definitely recommend this show, it’s fantastic.”

Show Boat Branson Belle show “Encore!”

Debra -“It was a high energy show with a lot of audience interaction by Janice Martin, The ShowMen and Christopher James, who was very funny. Janice Martin is great at whatever she is doing in the show.

“Whether it’s playing the piano, violin, or singing it is intense. She is just so good. She is so in her element; the way she plays the violin is just unbelievable. I was really impressed when she played the violin while performing an aerial silk act high above the stage, but my favorite was her rendition of the ‘Orange Blossom Special.’

“You could just feel the energy level of the ‘The ShowMen’ throughout the audience as they sang songs of the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s and the live band was just awesome.”

LaDonna – This is a great show for any age with great food and service. I loved the shows variety with music, magic, an aerialist and the violin and the way it rotates between the different acts to keep things fresh and moving along. My favorite performer was Janice Martin, the violinist, aerialist and singer and my favorite part of the show was when she  played “Stairway to Heaven” on the violin while doing her aerial silk act.

Rankin Brothers Show

Debra – “The Ranking Brothers, Matt and Mark, are just full of energy and life and people are just amazed by their talent. While they are singing you can just close your eyes and picture the original artists they are performing. My favorite number in the show is when Matt sings the Righteous Brothers Bill Medley song, ‘Unchained Melody.’

“Whenever I go to their show I just watch the audience’s reaction  and the people that were around us are just amazed at the talent they have. They are awesome, hold the audience’s attention and relate so well to them. It is an awesome show that I will see again and recommend that people coming to Branson make this one of their top shows to see.”

For information on any of the shows mentioned in this article 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.