I had to start this topic because I'm somewhat miffed, and yet very much humored by some things I've read in books by some of the "stars" who have played or done business in Branson:
"...a local mountain family decided to put on a show for these campers and built a little place where they could sing and play. It was a
homespun building, more of a barn than a theater, but it was a big success." (Andy Williams describing the Presley family and their theater.)
"At about the same time Silver Dollar City started up in an old silver mine. At first people just paid to go down into the old mine, and when they came out again, they'd by a lemonaide or a T-shirt from the concession stand by the entrance, but over time it expanded until it became a turn-of-the-century theme park..." (Andy Williams again)
"Theaters also began springing up. A country singer, Roy Clarke, was one of the first to open his own small auditorium..." (Williams again)
So, uh, calling the Presley Theater a barn...SDC starting with tours "in an old silver mine..." Spelling Roy Clark's name incorrectly. Should we be hacked off, or just laugh it off?
Here is Hee Haw TV Show Producer John Aylesworth describing his first trip through Branson:
"...on either side of the road, the brush had been cleared to accomodate row upon row of huge barnlike structures..." (Describing the Branson Theaters in the fall of 1979)
More Aylesworth, describing how an accountant was dispatched to Branson to scout the town for a possible theater to showcase Hee Haw TV stars: "...an accountant in a business suit and carrying a briefcase was dispatched to the wilds of Missouri on a one man safari...he nit picked saying the town didn't even have a decent hotel, forcing him to stay at a smelly fish camp...he actually attended one of the shows and was shocked by its crude vulgarity...He felt it would harm the Hee Haw image even being in the same vicinity as such low-life operations..."
Bottom line is the Hee Haw TV Show did operate a theater in Branson 1981-1983...I worked there almost it's entire run!
In 1979, Branson had plenty of Best Westerns, A Holiday Inn, Ramada Inn, and other very nice chain hotels/motels...not the Ritz, but just fine places to stay. Saying the brush had been cleared from both sides of the road to accomodate huge barnlike structures is a bit snobbish, too, but the thing that makes me laugh my butt off is the comment that building a theater in Branson would "harm the Hee Haw image!"
The comments were taken from autobiographies the two wrote. How about it? Have you ever seen comments in print from any of the "stars" who've played Branson that in some way made it appear as if Branson was nothing but a hick town full of hillbillies where culture did not exist? I've seen others, but just didn't dig up quotes to put on this thread.
These comments dont hurt my feelings! I am proud of my "herritage" and am thrilled to call this area home. It is going to take a lot more than name calling and mud slinging to make me feel bad about myself. I would rather spend time in a "barn" being amused by good wholesome comedy and people than trade it in for skyscrapper snobs. If you look down on branson with a long nose, you clearly either havent been or dont get the point.
There have been quite a few "stars" in Branson over the years, wonder what Wayne Newton would say today about Branson and his time here. Kenny Rogers well that didn't last long. Then what about the Oak Ridge Boys? If only the Grand Palace were open and running I bet we would get at least some bigger names coming in for a show or two like in the past. I know Boxcar Willie loved it here for sure! It does make you wonder though.....good question! :D Times have sure changed from back then.
I met Kenny Price of Hee Haw fame in Rockaway Beach 20 or so years ago and he was pretty excited about the go karts and the "strip" that was there, as was I. He was buying tickets and I got to see Lulu Roman driving a go kart which was pretty funny as her kart was moving quite a bit slower than the others. Not only was Kenny excited, but he was very friendly. I also met Tom Jones in line for Fire in the Hole during a visit in 1994, and he too mentioned that he didn't realize how much they had "here" (meaning SDC, I took it). I didn't realize it was Tom Jones (I didn't even know who Tom Jones was), but my wife at the time identified him. He was also very friendly. Looking back, I just can't be sure it was even Tom Jones. Not that I can't belive my then wife, but I would think Tom Jones would have a hard time visiting SDC on a crowded day as just an ordinary visitor. It was probably just an impersonator. It was definitely Kenny Price and Lulu Roman in Rockaway though. Not exactly Frank Sinatra but there ya go.
Here's a skit from the sketch comedy show, "Mr. Show" that starred David Cross and Bob Odenkirk that appeared on HBO back in the late 90's. They seem to suggest Branson is at least a nice regional destination for seniors to visit.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ES7ChMpqiM (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ES7ChMpqiM)
Comments are just comments. Andy Williams must have not felt too poorly about the Branson area as he has been there for twenty years, or so.
As far as the out of town producer, and accountant, I really cannot put any credibility in their comments. Just take a drive down Highway 76, and you will see how their comments simply fall to pieces. Branson is the city it is today because of the love people put into it.
AND i heard today that this is the last year for andy williams..... probably ???
Interesting stuff, could you imagine being in those times back then?
Injun Joe: You would have probably seen Kenny Price and Lulu Roman at Rockaway during that period that Hee Haw Theater existed at Branson, 81-83. Most of the Hee Haw "stars" and their families spent time around the area just relaxing...like you said, riding go karts and so on. Some liked to get out on the lake, George Lindsey liked to eat at the old Ma Craig's Restaurant that sat across the street from what was the Hi De Ho Motel. Grady Nutt and his wife would go to Mr. B's Ice Cream Shop in downtown Branson after every show. I remember going to a staff birthday party attended by Buck Trent, a staff engagement part attended by Cotton Ivy, and a cruise on the Lake Queen for Hee Haw employees that Lulu went on, too. The Hee Haw stars were not too far removed from just being ordinary folks, they made about $50,000 a year from doing a whole season of the TV show, and had to go on the road to support their families each year between tapings of the TV show. Most wound up making somewhere between $150,000 and $200,000 per year, from what I remember. Pretty good money for the times, but not superstar celebrity money. Back then, both my parents were in healthcare management, and total combined income back then would have been about $65,000 annually, so contrast that with what the "stars" made. Frankly, even appearing at the Hee Haw Theater in Branson back then they could not have been making more than $500 to about a thousands bucks per show. Chump change in show business. It would have taken me about a little over three weeks to make that $500 bucks at SDC back then! (I averaged about $150 per week playing Junior Dugan!)
Bart Simpson once said of Branson, Missouri, that "My dad says it's like Vegas – if
it were run by Ned Flanders"
Quote from: rubedugans on November 07, 2011, 08:28:11 AM
Bart Simpson once said of Branson, Missouri, that "My dad says it's like Vegas – if
it were run by Ned Flanders"
Ha! That's so true, it's funny. :D
King of the Hill did an episode in Branson. I thought it complimented the city well - for a cartoon.
The Simpson's episode not so much... (compiled from various sources)
Plot:
Grampa steals Marge's car and "kidnaps" Bart, taking him on the road to Branson, Missouri to win back his love- Zelda. When realizing that Grandpa and Bart are heading to Branson, Homer, Marge, Lisa, and Maggie, take a bus there. However they end up not in Branson, Missouri, but Bronson, Missouri. (Where every male in town looks and talks like Charles Bronson) Ray Jay Johnson, Mr. T, Charo, Yakov Smirnoff, Charlie Callas, Bonnie Franklin and Adrian Zmed are the stars of the show in Branson they go to see.
The song "Ode to Branson," which is performed by several "washed-up" acts was nominated for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Music And Lyrics.
"Remember the stars, you loved yesterday?
Where did they go? Did they all pass away?
Was it drugs or a car crush,
or a face lift gone wrong?
No they're right here in Branson
and they're singing, this song!
My name is Charo, I shake my maracas.
Remember me foo, I was BA Barachas.
We're the performers you thought were dead,
like Bonnie Franklin and Adrienne Zmed.
Branson's the place we can always be found.
They took NICK at Night and made it a town.
You can call me Ray or you can call me Jay.
Just don't call me washed up, I do three shows a day.
Charlie Callas doesn't sleep in the ground.
Yes I'm still alive an I'm making me sound.
(vup hi vup hala voop voop.)
So sit back, relax, and watch our review!
In Soviet Union, review watches you! "
I was watching The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson and he was interviewing Lewis Black. They mention Branson.
It starts around 9:10
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1kph3ERPQk
well all i can say about big executive's and producers like. and let me apologize right now but i categorize them right there with strippers car sales man and insurance salesman. the all want your money!! that is why i love sdc they donate so much money too differant charities in the area and its all about family there. now branson is real close too being too big and have lost that mom and pop atmosphere and when they do we will stay somewhere else and just go too sdc.
Presley's was on "The Soup" (a clip show that plays internet and television clips and makes jokes about them) on E Network 2 different times in the past season.
The bits were clips from the show showcasing Cecil.
ALSO....Branson was featured in another Simpson's episode "Bart on the Road" where he makes a fake drivers license, and ends up in Branson MO at the Andy William's Theater on the way to Knoxville Tennessee.
http://www.watchcartoononline.com/the-simpsons-season-7-episode-20-bart-on-the-road (http://www.watchcartoononline.com/the-simpsons-season-7-episode-20-bart-on-the-road)
(The Branson clip begins @ 12:10)
Quote from: rubedugans on November 07, 2011, 05:45:04 PM
Presley's was on "The Soup" (a clip show that plays internet and television clips and makes jokes about them) on E Network 2 different times in the past season.
The bits were clips from the show showcasing Cecil.
Oh my goodness! I remember that! That's what made me realize Presley's was on RFD-TV, so I started watching Presley's every time it is on.
Branson was also on an episode of Kendra on E!. Kendra and Hank went to visit Mary O'Connor, who Kendra knew from the Playboy Mansion. Mary has a second home in Branson.
Yeah Junior, the Hee Haw theater was open during the visit when I met Kenny Price and saw Lulu Roman in Rockaway. That was my first visit to Branson and I remember really wanting to go to that show but being discouraged when I was told that the real stars of Hee Haw only made occasional appearances at the theater and that the show there featured non-tv talent. Now I hear from you that Grandpa Jones and the whole bunch were all regulars there. That reallly jacks my jaws. I think I'll get it over it though. I've had too many good times in Branson -- missing one awesome piece of Americana won't leave me bitter. I can't believe they made only 50k a year for that show. I know there was a pretty big cast and all but it sounds to me like someone may have been getting a raw deal. Thats showbiz though. You can bet someone was getting a lot more than 50k a year for sure.
That quote about Ned Flanders running Vegas was a great one. I had forgotten about it. I'd love to see the King of the Hill episode.
Watching that Craig Ferguson clip and hearing Lewis talk about his current gig in Reno at a casino makes me wonder what kind of entertainment the Branson casino would have had. Black could have probably pulled off a show in that environment.
My wife was telling me last night that the topic of Branson arises in a Glee episode (I did a search and it brought up "The Rhodes Not Taken"). I don't watch it, so I couldn't tell you if it was positive or not...
King Of The Hill "The Bluegrass is Always Greener" Episode Summary
"Kahn wants Connie to practice classical music so she can become a great concert violinist, but Connie prefers playing bluegrass. Hank and the guys form a band with Connie, the "Dale Gribble Bluegrass Experience," and go to Branson, Missouri to participate in a contest. But in his desire to win, Hank pushes Connie to practice and takes all the fun out of playing, just like Kahn did.
The gang decides to let her join in, and she gives it all she's got, really catches on fast to the fun spirit of bluegrass. Hank decides that she is good enough to take to the annual Bluegrass contest over in Branson, all agree, except for Kahn. Connie has to hide her love of Bluegrass from her father. He doesn't want her participating in the "Red neck Hoe-down" that the Hillbillies are playing.
Meanwhile, Bobby is doing all that he can, to try and fit in with his dad's social activities, to no avail. Connie decides to lie to her parents, and go to Branson with the gang. She tells her parents that she is going to a classical competition for school, and tells Hank that she got the O.K from Kahn.
Hank starts to take the competition too seriously, and starts to harp on Connie about practice, just as Kahn does, so Connie decides she would rather not play. When the fun runs out, so does she. Bobby meets a famous Russian Comic, and sells him a joke for twenty dollars. Hank is unimpressed, and doesn't even believe him.
Kahn finds out about the bluegrass, and Hank apologizes to Connie, and to Bobby as well."
Quote from: rubedugans on November 08, 2011, 08:53:31 AM
My wife was telling me last night that the topic of Branson arises in a Glee episode (I did a search and it brought up "The Rhodes Not Taken"). I don't watch it, so I couldn't tell you if it was positive or not...
April Rhodes was the biggest name at her school as far as performing in show choir/glee club and school plays. Everybody thought she was going on to the big time, but after graduation, she went downhill, starting drinking, shoplifting, etc. She comes back to her old school and the choir director, Mr. Shuester (who went to school with her and was her biggest fan) gets the glee club to try and rehabilitate her. She gets clean and realizes that she let her dreams go, so Mr. Shue advices her to go to Branson and become a performer like she always wanted.
In another episode, April is back and is working at a skating rink and Mr. Shue asked her why she didn't move to Branson. April found an old rich guy and he died and left all of his money to her, and later in the season she ends up on Broadway.
Somebody correct me if I'm wrong because I haven't seen those episodes since they first aired, and that was about a year ago.
For some reason Tiffany...I knew you would be able to help out on that one!
Really? That obvious? Lol
No, just a recent comment about show choir and being a middle/ high school teacher I see that most everyone that is involved in a school choir or dance group watches the show!Just stereotyping! I hear ALL the kids talking about it when I build the sets for the plays, and even this weekend a few of my athletes were talking about it.
My wife has just gotten into it, and started the whole show just the other day on Netflix.
Half of my post include the words "show choir" lol
Tiffiny-
You are correct! I was just getting ready to post the Glee/Branson reference. I can still hear Will tell April "The last time I saw you you were headed to Branson." I love that show! And you are right about it being referenced in 2 episodes.
you can get King of the Hill on netflix! Even the instant streaming carries it. Guess what I am watching tonight?
Ahhhh!!!! I am gonna get that tonight! Thanks Missin!
The Cat's Pajamas was on the Sing Off and during thier introduction, there was about 5 minutes of Branson clips.
Unfortunately that is also about as long as they were on the show!
I know. That was also the only episode I watched.
Piers Morgan did not really care or be too nice to the Duttons when they were on America's Got Talent 4 years ago.
Piers Morgan isn't nice to over half of the contestants on that show regardless if they are from Branson, or not. :P
In the NBC sitcom "Up All Night" Maya Rudolph plays a talk show host (a parody of Oprah). She is discussing in episode #9 "Week Off" about being an R&B musician with a crossover country hit...
"I did a duet with Kenny Rogers. I'm very big in the Red States, whenever I go to Branson I need a huge security detail"
Haha, that's pretty funny! :D
Us hill folks are a passionate 'bout our pick'n!
On the KCPT (Kansas City Public television 19) show "Rare Visions and Roadside Revelations" that has been syndicated on PBS here in StL. was on this weekend. I thought over the years that I had caught all of them...but I missed this one that aired last night/ early this morning. RVRR began in 1995, and has been a multi season road trip of 46 states documented in 80 -30min episodes. They seek our rare/obscure oddities, art, food and fun attractions along the way.
On episode # 3 the gang passed through Springfield visiting a folk artist (Robert E. Smith), passed on a trip to Bass Pro, Near Republic they visited a junk sculptor (Ralph Lanning) . In Highlandville they visited Bishop Karl Pruter of the Cathedral Prince of Peace Church (billed as the world's smallest cathedral)...and then went ahead to Branson.
In Branson theywere guided by Michael Brewer (of Brewer and (Tom) Shipley) (most well known for "One Toke over the Line") reference Andy Williams,Bobby Vinton, they show footage of the exteriors of Mickey Gilley, Cristy Lane, Wayne Newton stating it is way beyond country, also showing the exteriors of Ozarkland, The Wax Museum, Presleys' Theater, Country Tonight Theatre, The Country Bunkhouse Motel, Roy Clark Theater, Barbara Fairchild Theater,Waltzing Waters, The Osmonds theater, Boxcar Willie, Ripley's Museum,and Music Road Mall. (ALl were either Marquee, exterior, or sign shots of each theater-no people, or interiors were shown).
Michael Brewer sings a song titles "I Hate Country" a foot in mouth musical arrangement very much in the style of the artists that have graced Hwy 76 and his dislike for the style. It was very funny for myself since , well... I don't HATE country but I dislike some of it!
They then passed to Eureka Springs and toured a few facilities.
http://www.rarevisionsroadtrip.com/aboutrv.shtml (http://www.rarevisionsroadtrip.com/aboutrv.shtml)
Overall a good view of the influx of non-country musicians to Branson, and a good dating of the mid 90's and the establishments and acts that existed at the time.
Not quite Branson, but Hee Haw!
In the Family Guy Episode "To Live and Die in Dixie" tthere are several segues (break away shots) of Hee Haw...Here is a link that has an image of a Buck Owens character. They would make jokes, and then break away to the corn field a-la Hee Haw, and have punchlines...pretty good representation of Hee Haw!
http://familyguy.wikia.com/wiki/Buck_Owens (http://familyguy.wikia.com/wiki/Buck_Owens)
There was a Pier 1 commercial this afternoon referencing someone "moving to the Ozarks and buying jet-skis"
It can be seen here:
http://www.pier1.com/commercial/tabid/795/Default.aspx (http://www.pier1.com/commercial/tabid/795/Default.aspx)
I was going thru my "favorites" playlist on youtube and came across this...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUoxPQYc4Pg&feature=plcp&context=C383c7b7UAOEgsToPDskLsj-NSdE7JYDIFMymI386a
I remember watching that when it came out. Pretty cool, still.
I wonder how many of these country stars have really been to the City?
I remember watching the Hee Haw premier episode while living in Baxter (just west of Lampe, south of Kimberling City). We'd been out on the lake that day but got home in time to eat and watch the new show. The friends we had visted that afternoon by boat came over by car to watch it with us. I also remember the day the Hee Haw Gang gave a Saaaaaa-Lute! to Baxter, MO (population 43, if memory serves).
The nonsense the producer wrote miffs me, too. If it weren't for folks like those in Branson, he'd have had no show to produce and no audience to watch it. Maybe he would have ended up a used car salesman with less class than Junior Samples (call him at BR-549 . . . ).
I love Hee Haw! My dad and I watch it all the time. My mom could take it or leave it. My sister acts like she hates it, but everytime she watches it, she laughs just as hard as the rest of us.
I love hee haw and so does my 7 year old daughter. ;D
Here is my secret confession: If they brought back the TV show I'd audition for it. SDC experience plus 20 years as a broadcaster and a news writer and freelance writer...oh man, I'd be in heaven. It would be fun. Remember, Terry Sanders was an actual castmember of this show in the 1990 season. I worked for the old TV show as an employee of the music theater they had in Branson 1981-1983. My boss was one of the show writers, Tom Lutz.
I wonder how many of us would audition for it ;D
I would!!!
Pretty much Branson...definately Ozark-
On Jeopardy this afternoon the category was
"The First Episode: and the answer was
"1962: "The Clampetts Strike Oil"
Yes we all should know the question was "What is The Beverly HIllbillies?"