By Dave Woods
dwoods@joplinglobe.com
BRANSON, MO. — By 11 p.m. on just about any Friday night, the Branson Strip is empty.
Audience members have retired to the comfort of their lodging, stage-weary performers are headed home and theatre crews are cleaning up and prepping for the next day’s crowd.
It’s quiet everywhere, except for Grand Country, where the parking lot is packed. Hundreds of music fans crowd into the theater on Friday nights and wait for the red, neon “On-the-Air” sign to light.
Once it switches on, Mike Patrick takes the stage and welcomes the audience of regulars — dubbed The Wild Bunch — and first timers to Branson Country USA, a live, late-night country music review and radio show.
Sherry Koehler, 65, and her husband, Roger, 70, travel from their home in northern Iowa to spend 14 or 15 weeks each year in the Midwest’s Music City.
“Every time we come here we see them,” Sherry Koehler said. “We don’t miss a Friday night. If we have somebody down from home we always bring them here.”
Roger Koehler, a longtime member of The Wild Bunch, said they love the music, comedy and the energy the cast brings to the stage and the airwaves.
“Some of my friends say, ‘Oh, that’s too late,’” Roger Koehler said. “Then they come once, and always want to come back.”
Sherry Koehler said that when she knows they are going to see the radio show, she has a regular routine.
“I just take a nap in the afternoon and I’m ready to stay up and party,” she said.
Big names, local talent
For seven years Patrick and Jamie Haage, his on-stage partner, and the rest of the Branson Country cast have entertained audiences with a combination of country classics, wholesome comedy and impromptu radio banter.
“We have a huge, season-pass following for Grand Country and the most popular thing we offer is the radio show,” Patrick said.
Like any radio broadcast, Patrick said, bills have to be paid, so the show includes several commercial breaks.
“The radio listeners only get half the show,” he said. “The commercial breaks are probably the best. The breaks get crazy and the audience likes to see us let our hair down.”
Patrick, a veteran Branson producer and performer, said a big draw for the weekly regulars is seeing the guest stars perform. Moe Bandy, Mickey Gilley, Roy Clark and T.G. Sheppard have all been showcased on past shows.
While Patrick tries to land big names for the weekly broadcast, he also features up-and-coming Branson talent. His Grand Country crew gets a moment in the spotlight, as well.
New South, a four-member vocal group, female vocalist Jackie Brown and the Grand Band lend their talents to the show.
“We want the radio show to be fun for the audience and for the performers,” Patrick said. “I try to encourage everybody in our shows to step out on stage. Band members get to showcase what they do best. Everyone gets a moment in the show.”
The crew at Grand Country produce two dozen performances a week of three different shows, in addition to Branson Country USA’s broadcast.
Patrick said that the busy schedule can sometimes be a drain, but the radio show always has good energy.
“When you’re in this business you gotta love it,” Patrick said. “You gotta’ be on. You put the costume on and start walking toward the stage and there’s an adrenaline rush that kicks in. That’s what the audience loves. Plus, I get to work with the most talented people I know.”
