By Dave Woods
dwoods@joplinglobe.com
BRANSON, Mo. — Mary Kellogg knows why Branson appeals to families planning their spring vacations.
“It’s an affordable destination, and with the economy the way it is, this is the best place in the country to come,” said the owner of the Titanic Branson Museum Attraction and an advocate for Branson tourism. “We give individuals extra value for their money.”
Kellogg and dozens of theater owners and event organizers are rolling out the red carpet this year to welcome entertainment-starved travelers to town to celebrate 50 years of live shows in Branson.
“We developed a brand for spring in Branson,” she said. “Ozark Mountain Spring starts in March and ends Memorial Day weekend, the start of the summer season.”
Based on the success of the Ozark Mountain Christmas, Branson’s new spring celebration promises plenty to keep families entertained.
“The backbone of Branson is the theaters,” Kellogg said. “The theaters make us different and unique.”
Many shows have already opened their doors for the 2009 season, and many more will open up in April.
The original show
This year, Joy Bilyeu and her fellow Baldknobbers are celebrating 50 years of their family’s show.
”It’s our Golden Anniversary and we will have a party every night,” she said. “The show is all new from the time the curtain goes up. We have all-new costumes, and a whole new look to the show. Audiences are going to love it.”
Bilyeu's grandfather, Bill Mabe and his brothers — Jim, Bob and Lyle — started playing music on weekends in 1959 for anglers who came to Branson to fish Lake Taneycomo.
Bilyeu started with the show in 1989 at 19 years old and performed on stage for a decade and is now back with the show.
“Grandpa wanted me to go to college, but Lyle needed a girl singer and asked about me,” she said. “They asked me, and I said I’d love to do it. I was excited … and scared.”
After more than 50 years entertaining Branson audiences, Bilyeu said she knows why the Baldknobbers show has survived so long.
“It’s the Grand Ole’ Opry on speed,” she said. “Our show has always been the fastest show on The Strip. You won’t sit there and be bored in our show.”
And, she added, "It’s clean fun and all ages can come.”
Haygoods take the Americana
Several shows have moved into new theaters for the city’s Golden Anniversary season.
The Haygoods, who offer a fast-paced musical variety show, have moved up the 76 Strip into the New Americana Theatre.
The seven Haygood brothers — and one sister — have entertained Branson audiences for almost twenty years. They spent the last several years at the Music City Centre with the Tony Roi Elvis Experience and Red, Hot and Blue. The new theater, Patrick Haygood said, offers a bigger stage and expanded sound, lighting and scenery options.
“The show for 2009 will be everything our fans love,” he said. “It’s a high-energy variety show with great music and our own unique take. It’s a very audience-interactive show and will have great harmonies and the great music you expect from The Haygoods.”
Haygood said the new show is comprised of about 70 percent new material, and 30 percent older content that is presented with a new twist. He promises big special effects and “a ton of fun stuff.”
Cassandré Haygood, a veteran Branson performer and wife of Tim Haygood, takes the Americana stage with her own show this season, Voice of an Angel.
New shows at Moon River
The season at The Andy Williams Moon River Theatre opens April 21 with Bill Medley and Paul Revere and the Raiders taking the stage at night, and Bill Haley’s Original Comets entertaining in the afternoon.
All three acts previously performed at the American Bandstand Theatre.
“The Moon River Theater is a little is a more upscale than where they were before,” said Dave Ledford, marketing director for Andy Williams. “I think (the performers) will enjoy it here. It’s a bigger theater.”
Ledford said Branson audiences will enjoy this season’s lineup.
“Everybody who grew up in the 1960s loves these guys. You will have ‘The Time of Your Life’ at this show,” he said. “Bill Medley (formerly of The Righteous Brothers) shares the stage with his daughter, McKenna, and they are great together. Audiences are going to love them.”
Ledford said Andy Williams is out of town working on a book, but will be back at the theater in September.
American Bandstand locks up Legends
The Legends in Concert cast is filling the void left at Dick Clark’s American Bandstand Theatre after Medley, Paul Revere and the Comets moved up The Strip.
The spring lineup of musical impersonators spring lineup features tributes to Tina Turner, Alan Jackson and Rod Stewart. The Blues Brothers and Elvis round out the show.
“We are excited,” said Melody Byrd, marketing manager for the show. “We opened Feb. 12, and had huge nights. The next weekend we ran out of parking spots.”
Byrd said the show’s new stage is a welcome change.
“It seemed like a great fit for our show,” she said. “It’s a newer building and the stage fits our show so well. We changed up our set and our performers and dancers have so much room now. It’s exciting.”
The Legends show, Byrd said, is appealing to tourists looking for value.
“Our ticket pricing is fabulous at $27.50 plus tax,” she said. “We haven’t raised our ticket prices for two or three years. When you come to Legends you get five stars in one show. That’s real appealing, and a bargain.”
Season preview
Baldknobbers Jamboree Show
Branson’ original music show celebrates fifty years of entertaining Branson audiences an all-new show for 2009.
Details: (800) 998-8908 or www.baldknobbers.com.
Grand Country Music Hall
The Buck Trent Morning show, Amazing Pets and Comedy Jamboree will keep Branson visitors busy during the day. Grand Jubilee & Branson Country Late Show are a good bet after dark.
Details: 800-506-6278 or www.grandcountry.com.
Dick Clark’s American Bandstand Theatre & ’57 Heaven
The AB Theatre welcomes the Legends in Concert cast of musical impressionists to their stage this season. Downstairs in the Club ‘57, The Bob Anderson Dinner Show rockets the audience back to the Rat Pack’s swinging ‘50’s. The ‘57 Heaven Museum features 1957 automobiles and memorabilia.
Details: (800) 985-3144 or www.dickclarkabbranson.com.
Jim Stafford Theatre
Jim Stafford’s 20-year celebration The Moe Bandy Show offer music and comedy for all ages.
Details: (417) 335-8080 or www.jimstafford.com.
The Osmonds Theatre
The Osmonds return to Branson with an all-new show. The Magnificent Seven Variety Show takes audiences on a musical journey through seven decades of music.
Details: (417) 336-6100 or www.osmondstheatre.com.
Andy Williams Moon River Theatre
The Righteous’ Brothers Bill Medley, Paul Revere and the Raiders & Bill Haley’s Original Comets fill the bill at The Moon River in 2009.
Details: (417) 334-4500 or www.andywilliams.com.
Presleys’ Country Jubilee
Four generations of the Presley family entertain nightly with family-friendly music and comedy.
Details: (417) 334-4874 or www.presleys.com.
Branson Variety Theater
Spirit of the Dance and The Twelve Irish Tenors bring a little Ireland to Branson. The Variety’s Broadway review pays tribute to NYC’s Great White Way.
Details: (888) 462-7267 or www.bransonvarietytheater.com .
The New Americana Theatre
In a new theater, The Haygoods, Red, Hot … and Blue, Tony Roi’s Elvis Experience are back. New this season is The Voice of an Angel.
Details: (417) 339-4663 or www.hotbransonshows.com.
Kirby VanBurch Theatre
Kirby and Bambi VanBurch perform magic and illusions.
Details: (417) 337-7140 or www.kirbyvanburch.com.
The Duttons Family Theatre
The “Americas Got Talent” finalists acclaimed musical variety show, plus Island Fire South Seas fire and dance show will be featured.
Details: (417) 332-2772 or www.theduttons.com.
The Shoji Tabuchi Show
This year marks the 20th season of Tabuchi and his family entertaining in Branson.
Details: (417) 334-7469 or www.shoji.com.
Pierce Arrow Theatre
The Pierce Arrow Show keeps audiences tapping their toes with gospel, patriotic tunes and high-energy country favorites.
Details: (417) 336-8742 or www.piercearrowtheater.com.
The Hughes American Theatre
The Hughes Brothers Show features three dozen performing family members. The vocal showcase SIX also performs at the theater.
Details: (417) 336-3688 or www.piercearrowtheater.com.
Silver Dollar City
World Fest 2009 opens April 4 featuring Zhejiang Chinese Acrobats, percussion musicians from Ghana, Ireland’s Feet of Fire and Jenny Blackadder, New Zealand ’s Banjo Queen. The Bluegrass and BBQ Festival runs from May 13 to May 31.
Details: (800) 475-9370 or www.silverdollarcity.com.
Showboat Branson Belle
This family-friendly Broadway-style show offers over 30 award-winning song and dance numbers, comedy, and a meal during a two-hour paddlewheel cruise on Table Rock Lake.
Details: (800) 475-9370 or www.showboatbransonbelle.com.
New Shanghai Theatre
Chinese acrobats, dancers and musicians entertain with traditional Chinese music and feats of acrobatic skill.
Details: (417) 336-8888 or www.acrobatsofchina.com.
The Oak Ridge Boys Theatre
The Oak Ridge Boys will perform on selected dates beginning April 21, and Engelbert Humperdink on May 9. Country Tonight with Bob Nichols, and the Dalena Ditto Country Variety Show round out the season. Additional acts will be announced throughout the year.
Details: (866) 707-4100 or www.oakridgeboystheatre.com.
The Mansion
The 2009 season goes Broadway with Cathy Rigby in “Peter Pan” starting May 23. Tom Mullican’s tribute to Red Skelton occupies the morning-show slot.
Details: (866) 707-4100 or www.themansiontheatre.com.
Titanic Branson Museum Attraction
In March, the museum celebrates the Irish workers who built the ill-fated ship. Classic British cars will fill the parking lot for a free show on April 10 and 11.
Details: (417) 334-9500 or www.titanicbranson.com.
