Branson Missouri

After spending 2 days in Searcy Arkansas getting 8 of Harveys windows removed and resealed, we're on our way to Branson Missouri, the live entertainment capital of the world. And of course its raining. Thats the Missouri state sign.

 The weather was erratic while in Branson so we did a little sight seeing on one of the sunny days. We're at a fish hatchery below Table Rock Dam just outside Branson. 80,000 trout a month are released into the river below the dam for fishing. The dam provides power for Branson and forms a lovely lake behind it.

The Branson Belle was a stern wheeler that tours the lake and does a dinner show. We didn't go.

The main reason to go to Branson is for the shows, so we booked a few and went somewhere every day. Kirby Vanburch was our first show. He's a magician and had a great show which we loved. We hadn't seen a live magician before and its much more impressive than on TV. For his finale, he made a full size helicopter appear on stage. 

The next show we went to see was the musical Noah, based on the story of Noah and the Ark. The set was spectacular. After the intermission, the play took place inside the ark and the seating was surrounded by animal pens from floor to ceiling. There was a mix of live and full size animatronic animals. From elephants to tigers to snakes. You couldn't stop looking around, spotting something new each time. Absolutely mind blowing.

Next show was the Hamner Barber show which was a family show with magic and juggling and the best ventriloquist I've ever seen. It was a lot of fun. As you can probably tell by now, we're trying to see something completely different with each show. 

And this one certainly fit the bill. The Baldknobbers was the first big show in Branson years ago and follows the same style. A lot of country (read hillbilly) music along with corny jokes and routines. Some great toe tapping music and frantic goings on. It was a riot and we loved it. I guess we're hillbillys at heart.

 The next show is Legends In Concert. Impersonators play top name entertainers for a lot less money.

 I helped Elwood and Jake warm up before their set.

Buddy Holley kicked off the nights entertainment. He was a great entertainer and got the audience rocking. He had a great voice and took us back to when we were young; a long time ago.

 The next act up was Toby Keith. He had a lot of hit country songs and Grammie was rockin.

 My favourite was the Blue Brothers. I'm not really a jazz fan but they made it work. Its like the movie came to life, and if you remember their frantic dancing in the movie, well they had it in spades. High energy.

 Next up was Aretha Franklin. Now, I must admit that I was never a fan but boy, could this lady belt them out. A huge voice and I recognized some of her big hits once she sang them.

 Now, what legends show would be complete without the king, Elvis. You don't see an impressionist do the early Elvis very often. I guess its takes less discipline to do the fat Elvis. He sang the early songs like Hound Dog and Jailhouse Rock and of course this was the hip swiveling age so this guy was moving. He was a great entertainer and his voice was spot on. Close your eyes and you'd swear it was really him. What a great evening. We had great seats; we were third row centre and you could see them sweat.

 The last show we saw was the Dixie Stampede. Its owned by Dollie Parton, but she didn't show. Darn.

 Its mainly a rodeo show themed around the settling of the west and the Civil War. Lots of horses and buffalo, soldiers and indians, chuck wagons and an excellent dinner as well. Contests between the north and south were used to keep the audience cheering. We were southerners; boo to the north.

Different acts performed as well. This stage with southern belles singing dropped from the ceiling into the centre of the arena and went back up again. Impressive. It was a fun evening and the food was great. Soup, biscuits, ham, corn on the cob, a whole chicken each and dessert. Now thats country vittles. All eaten without  any implements, the way food was meant to be eaten. Its been a fun time in Branson but now its time to head back to Ontario. There may not be another blog until we're settled back home. Unless of course something blogworthy happens along the way.