The Branson Brothers Show

3-27-06 Heath Hawkins: I start every review this way. Let me start off by saying that I am a 70 year old trapped in a 29-year-old body. I say that because I am in love with Branson and always have been. I have vacationed in Branson almost every year since birth, and seen too many shows to remember. I consider myself a real Branson critic.

I knew that I had to see the most talked about new show of the 2006 season. The Branson Brothers have had their new show up and running for less than a month, but there has certainly been a lot of buzz surrounding them. I wanted to go see what all the talk was about.

Two of the Branson Brothers, Jimmy Ponder and Dee Allen, as well as Diana Ponder and the comedian Terry Sanders performed at the Grand Country Music hall for the past couple seasons. I had seen all four of them in their show there and knew they were very talented. So when they combined their abilities and opened their own show in February of 2006, I had to give it a try.

I arrived at the theatre just a few minutes before the show started. This was my first evening show of the season and I was very surprised at the great crowd. There had to be at least 200 people in the audience that evening.

Hommer Lee was of course at the door greeting and seating people. He is not the "2005 Branson Critic People Choice Comedian" of the Year for nothing. He is a riot and I must admit that his segments in the show are my favorites.

The theatre has an interesting seating policy. You can pay full price for a specific reserved seat, or you can take a two-dollar per ticket discount and choose form any open seat in the theatre. I thought this was a great idea. You choose you own seat, and if you change your mind, then you can move. I did have only one concern. I knew from past experience that the seats in this theatre were tight. My wife and I are both “healthy” people. We were a little squished, but we dealt with it for this great show.

Finally the curtain went up and the Branson Brothers came out kicking. Their opening number, "Thank God I’m A Country Boy", got the house rocking. They did not let up all night.

Though I thought it was an unusual time to be reading fan mail, there was a UPS delivery right after the opening number. It was no surprise that this was not a normal package. This one contained Homer Lee as a crazy backwoods woman in search of a man. Soon he had found his victim and was in the audience leaving us all in stitches.

The Branson Brothers were back with more amazing harmonies; singing songs like "Praying For Daylight", "The Bluest Eyes In Texas", and "I’m In A Hurry And Don’t Know Why."

Throughout the show each of the men were featured in at least one song. You get to hear exactly why these guys are getting a lot of attention.

Andre Shepherd, the newest member of the group was one of the only performers I had not seen before in another show. When he sings "Drift Away" you really feel the soul that he adds to the group.

I knew form the Grand Jubilee that Diana Ponder is an amazing talent. The audience also agreed when they heard her sing "I’m All Right" and the Olivia Newton John classic, "I honestly Love You."

The surprise hit of the night for me was Natalie Nicole, the daughter of Jimmy and Diana Ponder. When introduced, they said she had grown up in the theatre and always wanted to sing, but this was her first show. Let me just say WOW! Her first solo was "Single White Female." Let me just say one more time, WOW! She has the look, the talent and I think even the attitude to make it anywhere. I hope she decides to stay in Branson and entertain us for a while.

Throughout the show the audience gets to experience so many styles of music. The band also has to be mentioned. Though this is the first time that many of them have played together, they
gel or should I say jam. I remembered Brad Allen from the Grand Jubilee. He is awesome! As were the rest of the guys. They are not background, they all get a chance to show off a little. A show like the Branson Bothers could never be what it is without a great band!

Of course there is plenty country, but they also pack in gospel, classic rock, the patriotic ending and even some of that great fun music from decades past. It is all blended together in one unforgettable show.

Plus you stir in the antics of Comedian of the Year Terry Sanders. He does some of his classics like "Grandma and Joan Rivers," but you will also meet some strange new characters including and an American Idol contestant that has obviously lost his way.

I was setting next to a teenage boy who was clear in letting his mom know he did not want to be there. When the show was over, he was at the front of the autograph line with a picture in hand. What a testimony.

The Branson Brothers are back with a vengeance and in a show that is sure to have something for everyone in the group.

The Branson Brothers perform at the Bart Rockett Theatre. The theatre is located in the heart of Hwy 76. Show times vary from afternoon to evening slots throughout the season, so check their schedule for times while you are in town. For more information visit www.BransonBrothers.com or to reserve tickets or check the show schedule call the theatre at (417) 348-0888. Tell them that Heath from the Branson Critic Online sent you.

What do you think? Your opinion is your opinion. Let me know at hhawkins@waynesville.k12.mo.us.