Branson's Buck Trent Show a Country Music Tradition

The Buck Trent Show in Branson, Missouri celebrates country classics during its two hour production. Mr. Banjo, Buck Trent, is a veteran performer who has taken the stage with Roy Clark and Porter Wagoner, to name a few. His morning show, which is in its 18th year, features country music and good natured humor that keeps the show sailing smoothly.

The show has two really great fiddle players, Melody & Bruce, who really light up the stage during performances of “Orange Blossom Special” & “Howdy Neighbor.” Their lead singer, Kenny Parrott, has an amazing voice that really shines on renditions of “Ring of Fire” & “Hello Darlin’,” while Buck Trent & Melody celebrate the golden age of country music with a duet of “Last Thing on my Mind.” Melody has a great country voice and her performances of Dolly Parton hits, including “Jolene” & “Coat of Many Colors” lets her showcase her skills in great fashion.

The Branson Buck Trent Morning Show performs a country version of Dr. Zhivago’s “Lara’s Theme” that highlights the wonderful instrumental skills of the performers in the Buck Trent Show, as does a rendition of “In the Mood” on Steel Guitar. Jonathan, their piano & saxophone player, performed “Yakety Sax” to great applause, and the song made me feel like I was on an episode of The Benny Hill Show. The entire group performs on a gospel medley, which includes favorites like “This Old House,” “May the Circle be Unbroken,” & “I’ll Fly Away.”

I went to the show during the month of November, so there was also a 30 minute segment dedicated to Christmas music – country style! My favorite performances from this segment included “Silent Night” & “We Three Kings.”

Celebrating Christmas at Branson's Dino Christmas Show Provides Meaningful Message

The Dino Christmas Show in Branson, Missouri is an all out Christmas Extravaganza featuring elaborate sets & costumes that rival Broadway productions. The theme for this year’s production is “Somewhere in Christmas Time Where Dreams Come True,” and it takes guests on a whirlwind trip through celebrations throughout the world, while also showcasing universal elements of Christmas. The opening scene of the show features “We Need a Little Christmas” while dancers prance around the set of glowing presents, a giant Christmas tree and fireplace. Dino’s Austrian crystal piano is the centerpiece of the set, and Dino gracefully plays all of the holiday hits throughout the 2 ½ hour show. There are segments showcasing Ireland, Greece, Spain, Vienna, Russia and of course, the Ozarks!

The entire show is a highlight, but I found the Music Box segment to be especially beautiful, as Dino played “Lara’s Theme” from the movie Dr. Zhivago, and Cheryl, his wife, twirled in a cloud of smoke as if she was a girl from a music box. Christmas in Vienna was another favorite, as the entire stage is transformed into a costume ball, complete with stunning ball gowns worn by the cast of dancers. Dino plays “My Favorite Things” as little toy soldiers dance, ballerina’s prance, and the sugar plum fairy performs.

The second half of the show is magical, as Dino & his piano float in air with a haze of clouds beneath them. A winter wonderland scene soon lights up the stage and “Sleigh Ride” is merrily performed by the entire cast. “Birthday of a King” brought the reason of the season to the forefront of the production as golden angel wings flanked the stage. The breathtaking grand finale combined the talents of Cheryl & Dino as “Silent Night” filled the auditorium, and a manger scene occupied the stage. As the song progressed, flying angels appeared on the stage, as did a larger scene of Mary, Joseph & Jesus on the day he was born, Christmas.

The Branson Dino Christmas Show is a magnificent production suited for anyone in the Christmas spirit!

Branson's Bayside at Still Waters Resort the Perfect Escape

The Bayside at Still Waters Condominium Resort in Branson, Missouri is a beautiful property located on Table Rock Lake, with Silver Dollar City just two miles away. There are a lot of on-site amenities at Bayside at Still Waters Resort, which makes it a place where you can both stay and play. The three pools made it easy to dive into some fun, especially the one with the Zoom the Flume water slide, while the Island Oasis area featured a zero entry pool, plenty of lounging area for soaking up the sun, and a 15ft swim through waterfall. There is also a greenhouse at the Island Oasis area, as well as a 20 person Jacuzzi. Other amenities at Bayside at Still Waters Resort include FREE Paddleboats, Kayaks & bicycles, as well as a Marina with boat docks, launching area and swimming platforms where you can also rent boats & jet skis. And if that isn’t enough to keep you busy, the sand volleyball area, hiking trails, playground and game room with pool table should do the trick.

The condos at Branson’s Bayside at Still Waters Resort are nice to say the least, and many rooms feature lake views. They come in 1, 2, or 3 bedroom varieties, but the décor remains the same with a tropical theme found throughout. They are in the process of renovating, as they do every couple of years, and the new style reflects a modern theme. Many of the units come with fireplaces, and the master suite’s bath is equipped with a two person Jacuzzi, some of which have a lake view. The units all feature full kitchens and washer/dryers.

This resort is a great place to stay while you visit Branson, Missouri. It is especially suited for families.

Still Waters Resort the Perfect Place to Stay & Play in Branson

The Still Waters Condominium Resort in Branson, Missouri is a beautiful property located on Table Rock Lake, with Silver Dollar City just two miles away. There are a lot of on-site amenities at Still Waters Resort, which makes it a place where you can both stay and play. The three pools made it easy to dive into some fun, especially the one with the Zoom the Flume water slide, while the Island Oasis area featured a zero entry pool, plenty of lounging area for soaking up the sun, and a 15ft swim through waterfall. There is also a greenhouse at the Island Oasis area, as well as a 20 person Jacuzzi. Other amenities at Still Waters Resort include FREE Paddleboats, Kayaks & bicycles, as well as a Marina with boat docks, launching area and swimming platforms where you can also rent boats & jet skis. And if that isn’t enough to keep you busy, the sand volleyball area, hiking trails, playground and game room with pool table should do the trick.

The condos at Branson’s Still Waters Resort are nice to say the least, and many rooms feature lake views. They come in 1, 2, or 3 bedroom varieties, but the décor remains the same with a tropical theme found throughout. They are in the process of renovating, as they do every couple of years, and the new style reflects a modern theme. Many of the units come with fireplaces, and the master suite’s bath is equipped with a two person Jacuzzi, some of which have a lake view. The units all feature full kitchens and washer/dryers.

The Still Waters Resort is a great place to stay while you visit Branson, Missouri. It is especially suited for families.

Settle Inn Resort in Branson a Royal Treat for Guests

The Stone Castle Hotel in Branson, Missouri is a sprawling property spread across three buildings offering 300 rooms. There are two indoor pools on property, both of which are heated and of medium size, as well as a nice game room with seven arcade games and an air hockey table. The Stone Castle Hotel and Conference Center does serve a continental breakfast for guests, and they have two breakfast rooms for use during their busiest times. There is also a gazebo and patio area for guest enjoyment.

The property is “castle-themed” which is portrayed nicely through the decorative details found throughout the property, including the rooms. There is a Victorian flair found in much of the décor, including the paintings in the rooms and the rich green, gold and burgundy colors that are weaved into the color scheme, which add a nice touch. The case goods are also rather nice, and the rooms come standard with a ’27 television. The bathrooms are of regular size, although the vanity area is somewhat small.

During my visit at Branson’s Stone Castle Hotel I found the property to be very inviting with a friendly staff that was attentive and paid close attention to detail. Their location was also a plus, as they are somewhat hidden but also just minutes away from all of Branson’s entertainment. I would recommend this property for tour buses, families and couples.

Branson's Andy Williams Christmas Show is Festive Fun for All

The Andy Williams Christmas Show in Branson, Missouri is a wonderful production emphasizing the importance of this magical holiday. The show began with a flourish of festive favorites like “Joy to the World” & “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” played instrumentally, while being flanked by a beautiful stage and set of snow and Christmas trees. Andy Williams welcomed his guests with a rendition of “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” and made it clear he still has his legendary voice! “The Christmas Song” and “Jingle Bells” are performed to great delight, complete with snowball fights, Technicolor trees and toasty campfires.

Andy has some special guests perform at his show, one of which is Dean Church, a fiddle player who can play backwards, forwards, and behind the back without missing a note. Another are dancers from Russia, who dance wondrously while performing costume tricks that I’m still amazed by! When Andy sings “Momma Kissing Santa Claus,” he even does a little jig with dancing penguins that showed he’s still a kid at heart. One of the funniest segments involved an imagined duets album in which Bob Anderson impersonates Andy’s potential duet partners, including Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., Tony Bennett, Tom Jones and even Andy Williams. Andy shined while singing “Where Do I Begin,” the theme from Love Story and on “Speak Softly, Love” from The Godfather.

“Mary Did You Know?” brought the Christmas theme full circle, highlighting all that we celebrate, before stars fill the auditorium while “Silent Night” & “Ava Maria” is sung. Of course, a night with Andy Williams wouldn’t be complete without hearing “Moon River,” and he chooses this song to bid farewell to his guests.

Branson’s Andy Williams Christmas Show is a can’t miss Branson Christmas show.

Tom Mullica's Red Skelton Tribute in Branson

The Tom Mullica Red Skelton Tribute in Branson, Missouri is a one-man show highlighting vaudeville style comedy throughout the two hour production. Tom Mullica embodies Red Skelton perfectly, mimicking his mannerisms and characteristics to a perfect tee to create a show that many feel is like seeing Red Skelton live in concert. The show begins with lots of jokes, and the jokes keep coming as Mullica transforms into one character after the other. His specialty is pantomime, a skill that is becoming rare, and he delivers lots of laughs while acting as a dad viewing the newborn section of the hospital and as Clem Cladiddlehopper, a country character who is a hoot!

As Mullica recreates Red Skelton’s most memorable characters, including San Fernando Red, a politician, and Cauliflower McPugg, a boxer, he invokes the treasured memories of the past in ways many of today’s comedians fail to do. He both honors and praises comedies past while also bringing it into the present and future. The two segments I found to be most popular were the Guzzler's Gin Routine, which had me laughing so hard I cried, and his famous Freddie the Freeloader bit, which features Mullica in full clown regalia. The most moving portion of the show occurs when patriotism is saluted, with the Pledge of Allegiance explained in a touching and meaningful way.

At the very end of Branson's Red Skelton Tribute show, Tom Mullica as himself tells the story of his relationship with Skelton, and how it changed him immensely. He also greets the fans and visitors he is so proud to perform for.

Branson's King Quarters Hotel

The Kings Quarters Hotel in Branson, Missouri is located on Expressway Lane, near Shepherd of the Hills Expressway, and is right across the street from Mansion America Theater. The all indoor corridor property features double queen rooms, a continental breakfast for guests, and an outdoor pool for swimming. The rooms at King Quarters are standard and offer a coffee pot, café style table and chairs, older case goods and ’19 televisions, while the décor is highlighted by rich burgundy’s and greens. Ethernet internet is available.

Their outdoor pool is of moderate size and is located in the courtyard portion of the hotel. The breakfast room is nearby, and serves a continental breakfast for guests each morning. The Branson Kings Quarters Hotel has a guest laundry room as well. One of the best features of the property are the views of Branson.

The Kings Quarters Hotel is a nice choice for visitors on a budget, or those who prefer to be away from the hustle and bustle of The Strip (Hwy 76.)

#1 Hits of the 60's Grooves to Music in Branson, MO

The #1 Hits of the 60’s in Branson, Missouri time travels back to the heyday of 60’s music for an exciting mix of folk, rock and Motown. I attended the show during the holiday season, therefore the first half of the show was holiday themed and centered on “How Scrooge Got his Groove Back!” while the second half was solely committed to pure 60’s music. The Scrooge segment of the show takes many liberties with the original story, for a retelling that involves Scrooge learning his lessons through the groovy tunes of the 1960s. It’s a unique concept that weaves in hits like “Chain of Fools,” “Respect,” “You Can’t Always Get What You Want,” and “Magic Carpet Ride” for a crazy journey through Christmas past, present and future. The highlight happened when Scrooge realizes his mistakes and sings “I feel Good” to end the holiday portion of the show. It was the perfect song for someone who just got their groove back!

The second half of Branson's #1 Hits of the 60's began with a tribute to Motown and featured the hits of The Supremes and The Temptations, with “Stop! In the Name of Love,” “Heard it Through the Grapevine,” and “My Girl” burning up the stage. They then do a tribute to classic TV theme songs before launching into an American Bandstand style segment showcasing all of the hits that made the 60’s memorable, including “Up, Up & Away” by the 5th Dimension, “This Magic Moment” by Jay & the Americans, “ Del Shannon’s “Runaway,” and the Monkees “I’m a Believer.”

There were two special tributes to the Beatles and the Beach Boys that were great, although I think my favorite was the Beatles segment due to the vocals delivered on those hits. Hearing “Hey Jude” live was wonderful, and the funniest Beach Boys segment was “Little Old Lady from Pasadena.”

This show is a good choice for anyone wanting to travel down memory lane.

Branson's Kirby VanBurch Show is Something You Have to See to Believe!

The Kirby VanBurch Show in Branson, Missouri is an illusion filled production that makes guests ask “How’d he do that?” again and again. The show begins in a blaze as Bambi VanBurch creates a fire which magically turns into Kirby himself. The tricks are fast and furious as Kirby locks Bambi in a cage only to reveal a Big Cat moments later, saws two girls in half and reconnects them to great success and levitating Bambi to great heights until, poof!, she disappears! My favorite tricks include the beautiful Big Cats they train, which were used during a double enclosed locked box act that had a snake, then a jaguar appear magically before my eyes. Another act, the black-light act, features Kirby, a cage, Kirby’s magic, and a few stray creatures that end with a wonderful white tiger on stage. These tricks are something you have to see to believe! There was also a new segment I enjoyed featuring The Amazing Spartacus. He is a cross bow champion who dazzles with his shooting, then dares himself with a trick that has him shooting an apple off his own head. It’s a sight to see!

Bambi amazes during a vaudeville mind reading act that has her reciting the serial number off of a $100 bill that belongs to a stranger in the audience and calling out the name of objects visitors hold in the air (she can’t see them, but she always guesses right!) She even nailed the birthday of a gentleman who was randomly picked out of the audience. She also stuns when she does a King Tut trick that has her transforming into the statue of King Tut. The motorcycle trick they perform is a mind-boggling switcheroo I’m still trying figure out, while how they made a helicopter appear on stage in less than 3 seconds flat is still amazing me. Kirby brings the show home with a moving message involving God, his magic and the wonder of his love. It’s a moving segment with a lot of heart.

There is a backstage tour offered at the Branson Kirby VanBurch show for an additional $10. It involves a brief tour of the dancer’s dressing rooms, costume room, Kirby & Bambi’s elaborate dressing room and a pass to the Big Cat sanctuary.

Broadway's Spirit of Christmas in Branson is a Special Holiday Treat

Broadway’s Spirit of Christmas in Branson, Missouri is a festive production focusing on the fun of the season. The show begins with Santa and his helpers singing and dancing their way through a wintry village. Before you know it, The Osmond Brothers (Jimmy, Jay & Wayne) are serenading you with songs like “Down by the Lazy River,” “The Proud One,” and “Can’t Get Next to You.” Then, Babette Young brings the merriment of Christmas to town with a wonderful rendition on “The Christmas Song,” which is followed nicely by a Sleigh Ride skit that is visually stunning and features the song “Santa Claus is Coming to Town.” “Getting in the Mood – For Christmas” by Brian Setzer is performed next, and it is an upbeat dance number that is whole lot of fun!

The performers sang “What Child is This?” which was very moving and brought the reason of the season to the forefront of the production. A medley of “Joyful, Joyful,” “O Happy Day” and “Higher & Higher” really brought the house down and had me moving in my seat! They were joyous songs performed for a joyous holiday. Before the joy took a intermission, The Osmonds rounded out the first half with songs by brother acts, which showed off Jimmy’s high-vocal range, especially on the Jackson 5’s “ABC.”

A rockin’ Christmas was celebrated in the second half with songs like “Jingle Bell Rock” and “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree.” Favorite Duets were also paid homage to by Jimmy & Babette before one of the most endearing segments began – the Christmas dinner scene. “Be Our Guest” is serenaded to the guests and the audience during an elaborate dance scene that is over-the-top fun. A clapping chorus is constructed next. “One Horse Open Sleigh” is the song, and the performer’s hands are their only instrument as they make the song come to life. It is a really neat number and the audience loved it! “Mary did you Know,” sang by Jimmy, held the stage next and was very touching. Brother Jay performed “Little Drummer Boy” as well while the rest of the cast tap-danced in unison.

Branson’s Broadway – Spirit of Christmas closes the show with a special video segment of The Osmonds, accompanied by a live performance of “Through the Years.” “All I want for Christmas” & “White Christmas” round out this holiday show, completing two hours of merriment that celebrate Christmas – Branson style!

Branson's Quality Inn on the Strip Delivers the Quality Experience Guests Deserve

The Quality Inn on Highway 76 in Branson, Missouri is an inviting property that strives to make guests feel right at home on their Branson vacation. The property is comprised of three buildings, each with easy access to all of the amenities offered at the property, which includes an indoor & outdoor pool, full hot breakfast included with price of stay, guest laundry and excellent guest services that ensure your stay is as nice as possible. While I visited the resort, I was very impressed with the full hot breakfast they served in the mornings. It was a full buffet style offering biscuits & gravy, pancakes, eggs, eggs with ham and cheese, bagels, English muffins, juice, coffee, and donuts. I had the eggs with ham & cheese and biscuits & gravy and it was absolutely delicious!

The rooms at Branson’s Quality Inn on Hwy 76 have had extensive renovations and the results are impressive. The double queen rooms have fresh paint on the walls, new bedding, curtains, carpet, case goods and table & chairs. Even the vanity in the bathroom area is new, which now features a marble-style finish. A curved shower rod has also been implemented in the bathroom for additional space. The décor features rich gold’s and browns creating a very cozy, warm environment for guests.

The Quality Inn also has Family Suites available, which feature additional space for families (usually an extra bedroom) as well as microwave, kitchen sink, and fridge for your convenience. These rooms are a great choice for any group traveling with four or more persons.

A few additional elements I enjoyed about this property was how clean everything was, from the rooms to the breakfast area to the pool, every detail was covered. I also found the guitar shaped outdoor pool a unique feature, and although close to Hwy 76, it still offers a great deal of privacy.