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Branson Critic Newsletter:  What's Happening in the Show Industry in Branson, MO  

2005 Branson Shows' Changes | Branson Spotlight Winners 2005  |  Newsletter Archives
Branson Entertainment News

New South guest stars on ‘Gene Williams Show’

Nora Lee Allen from Grand Ole Opry surprise guest



 Grand Country Music Hall’s very own quartet New South joins Gene Williams on this week’s Lucas Oil sponsored Gene Williams Country Television Show with a surprise guest, Nora Lee Allen from the Grand Ole Opry.

"It was a delight to have the quartet with Jimmy Ponder on tenor and Mark McCauley on bass, Trey Wilson singing lead and Dee Allen on my show. An added bonus was that Dee, son of Oak Ridge Boys lead, Duane Allen, was celebrating his birthday. His mother, Nora Lee Allen from the Grand Ole Opry, surpises us by stopping by to help him celebrate," said Williams whose original television show is telecast to more than 20.5 million homes nationwide.

"New South is one of Branson’s favorite groups performing on stage year round at Grand Country Music Hall. Having them and Nora Lee, who has performed for 25 yeas as a back-up singer on the Grand Ole Opry, on my show is a treat," said Williams, the star and creator of the television show that is taped in Branson, Mo
 

Doug Gabriel’s Branson Spotlight Wildcard Show

on Oct. 19 gives talented singers second chance

A second chance for talented singers competing for the $5,000 grand prize in Doug Gabriel’s Branson Spotlight comes in the form of a two-hour Wildcard Show on Wednesday, Oct. 19, at 10:30 p.m. at the Jim Stafford Theatre, 3440 W. Hwy. 76, Branson.

Celebrity judges Chris Myer and Ann Stafford will critique Jon Elder of Prairie Village, Kan., Amy Hargrove, Dmitri Sobol and Jesse Beims of Tulsa, Okla., Paige Urschel of Anderson, Ind., Cara Humphrey of St. Joseph, Mo., Katie Bundstein of Festus, Mo., Melissa Bacott of Eureka, Mo., Case Calcatara of Villa Ridge, Mo., Jeremy Long of Savannah, Mo., Heather Biggs of Dixon, Mo., and Rae Dreiman of Catawissa, Mo.

The guest celebrities join Gabriel and his judging team: "The Lady Outlaw" Jessica James and a favorite Branson comedian Terry Sanders who judges as Doug's Grandma. The 12 wild card contestants were selected by Gabriel as singers who deserve an opportunity to be seen and heard again.

After the contestants sing their first song, the judges will narrow the contestants to five. They will sing a second song and the judges will select the top two. Then the audience votes for the winner who is awarded a spot in the finals on Oct. 21 at 11 p.m. also at the Jim Stafford Theatre.

That winner will join Michelle Ostman of Belleville, Ill., Alaina Whitaker of Tulsa, Okla., Justin Long of Springfield, Mo., and Gordon Wensel of Lebanon, Mo., as the 2005 finalists.

"Remember, the Wildcard Show is a special two-hour presentation beginning at 10:30 p.m. on Wednesday, rather than our traditional Friday at 11 p.m. time. Our celebrity co-host with host Cheryl Gabriel is Trey Wilson of New South from Grand Country Jubilee," said Doug Gabriel.

The two shows are the culmination of a series of auditions, preliminaries and semi-finals. Since spring, singers have competed each Friday night for a prize package including $100 cash and a spot in semi-finals and then the finals to win a top prize of $5,000 cash, sponsored by Pepsi, a recording session, a one-day multi-shoot photo session by Big Smile Studio, and much more.

The 2004 winner, C.J. Andreas of Edwardsville, Ill., is enjoying the opportunities our show has given her and is currently working with Doug Gabriel on her recording session in Nashville. After season one, two contestants are working as professional entertainers in Branson. Yolanda Fletcher is with the World Famous Platters and Wendy Sewell is with Fifties at the Hop. Both came from the Tulsa auditions, said Gabriel. The announcement that a competitor from this season will begin performing in a show in Branson will be made soon. Contestants auditioned this past winter in Lebanon, St. Joseph, St. Louis and Kansas City in Missouri, in Tulsa, Okla., or submitted a mail-in packet. A total of 144 singers from 14 states made it through the audition process.

 

PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

ATTN: Managing Editor or Entertainment Editor

DATE: August 29, 2005

As space allows please run the following press release.  If you have any questions please contact Branson Critic Senior Editor Doug Holland.

The honors will be handed out the week of November 22-26, 2005.  The exact dates and times will be set when the winners are determined.  The shows and performers will be recognized on stage during their own show.  If you are interested in covering one or all the Branson Critic Award Presentations for your news media, please contact Doug Holland.

Doug Holland, Senior Managing Editor

Branson Critic Online

E-Mail:  contact@bransoncritic.com

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Vote for Branson’s peoples’ choice awards –

The Branson Critic Awards

You can help decide who will win this year’s Branson Critic Awards.  Log on to www.BransonCritic.org and cast your vote for your favorite Branson shows and performers in the following categories:  Best Show, Best Performer, Best Comedian, Best Singer and Best Band.

Branson Critic is a network of volunteer writers who offer fair reviews of Branson shows, attractions, and lodging.  It also allows readers to contribute their own show reviews.  The website is a place to find out what “normal” everyday people think about Branson shows.  This helps families make informed decisions about the shows and attractions that will be best for them.

For the second year, Branson Critic will be handing out awards to some of the best shows and performers in Branson.  The best part is, the public chooses the winners.  Through the months of July and August, readers submitted nomination reviews for the shows they would like to see nominated in one of the categories.  Having started August 27th, 2005 the public is invited to log on to www.BransonCritic.org and cast their vote in each of the five categories.  The polls will remain open through November 1st 2005; so cast your vote today.

When you cast your vote, you can immediately see current results and find out if your favorite is in the lead.  The 2005 Branson Critic Awards will be handed out during the 2005 Thanksgiving Holiday.

(Press Release By:  Heath Hawkins. Editorial Columnist for Branson Critic)
Wanted!

We are looking for a well written article on Branson.  The article we are interested in would cover restaurants, shows, parks, traffic, shopping, inside goodies, scenery, ext.  This article should be written for someone who has no knowledge or limited ideas of Branson. 

We would like to use our site to promote Branson to the younger generations of the internet world.  If you feel up to it and would like to volunteer your time to write a great article, please do.  We will put your picture in the article, plus pictures you have taken around town.  -Doug

For news about events in Branson, MO goto www.BransonQuest.com and see whats happening.
 
 
 

   

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