Branson, Missouri area visitors once again have an opportunity to vote for their favorite shows, restaurants, shopping and attractions in the second annual “Visitor Choice Awards” sponsored by The Vacation Channel’s ViewBranson.com.

The Hamner Barber Theater is honored to be included in the Favorite Shows category and we appreciate the support of our friends and fans who have attended our magical variety show at some point during the past seven years.

Since 1989, The Vacation Channel has provided the information tourists depend on to make the best use of their time and money while visiting Ozark Mountain Country. Now the Branson area’s “televised tour guide” is giving visitors the chance to be heard, voice their opinion, and help their favorite businesses receive the recognition they deserve.

“No one knows better than our guests, which hospitality and entertainment businesses best meet their needs for outstanding service, quality entertainment and exceptional value.  Now it will be easy for visitors to vote for what they like best of all and for those most popular venues to be recognized and rewarded for their efforts.”

Scott Earls, Owner & General Manager – The Vacation Channel, Inc.

All voting for The Visitor Choice Awards takes place on-line. Ballots are tabulated by an outside company that specializes in data collection and management. Visitors (and residents alike) simply go to www.ViewBranson.com and click The Visitor Choice Award link to vote. One ballot per computer, per month, is allowed. Visitors may select their favorites in each of these six categories: shows, shopping, dining, attractions, lodging and customer service. Only one vote for each category, per month.

Be a part of great rewards that are given to the category winners and vote for your favorites today!

Thanks to BransonShowAwards.com for honoring Jim Barber as the 2009 “Best Specialty Act” in Branson.  This is the second consecutive year that Jim has received the honor from Gary Wackerly, a Theater Critic who conceived and manages the Branson show awards and Branson show review website as the Award Committee Chair.

On April 24, 2010 Mr. Wackerly presented the award to Jim Barber onstage during their evening performance of the Hamner Barber Variety Show.

He is an independent reviewer who relies on his background in education and his personal experiences of viewing every possible show in Branson, Missouri multiple times to determine his selections each year.

“No matter how many times you see this show something always strikes you as amazing or funny.  Jim has the knack of bringing his constant smile to every audience.  His enormous talent as a ventriloquist is remarkable.  That is why he won the Best Specialty Act of 2009.”

Gary Wackerly, BransonShowAwards.com

The Branson Area Receptive Association (BARA) selected our very own Vance Hebblethwaite as the April 2010 Vendor of the Month in appreciation for all the efforts that he continuously puts forth not only for the Hamner Barber Theater, but also on behalf of the Branson Area Receptive Association activities.

Vance has been an important part of our overall theater operations going all the way back to 1995 when the venue first opened as the Braschler Theater.  Vance’s expertise is in several areas including managing our in-house accounting and billing, selling tickets, gift shop items and concessions, arranging group sales and ticketing contracts, and working directly with our motorcoach guests as they arrive and depart the theater.  He’s a man of many talents and we are honored to have him on our staff and congratulate him on this well deserved recognition.

The Branson Area Receptive Association members are the group services experts in America’s #1 motorcoach destination, Branson, Missouri and the surrounding areas. BARA receptives must meet high standards of qualifications to be members of the association, and are some of the most reputable and well known group travel receptives, not only in the region, but in the nation as well.

Toyea Youngblood - Vance Hebblethwaite - Kim Vance

Pictured above (left to right): Toyea Youngblood (BARA Treasurer) of Beeline Travel Tours, Vance Hebblethwaite (Hamner Barber Theater), Kim Vance (BARA President) of Flemming Tours.

31st Annual Telly Awards Selects Hamner Barber Veterans Tribute

Click Image For High Resolution Version

The Hamner Barber Variety Show is proud to announce that their multimedia performance tribute to Veterans entitled “Thank You’s Not Enough” has been selected by the 31st Annual Telly Awards and the Silver Telly Council to receive a 2010 Telly Award for video excellence in a music concert.

Founded in 1979, the Telly Awards is the premier award honoring outstanding local, regional, and cable TV commercials and programs, the finest film and video productions, and groundbreaking web commercials, videos and films. Winners represent the best work of the most respected advertising agencies, production companies, television stations, cable operators, and corporate video departments in the world.  The Silver Telly Council judges and oversees the National Awards presentation and is comprised of top industry professionals that are past winners of a Silver Telly, their highest honor.  The Telly Awards receives over 13,000 entries annually and it is considered a remarkable achievement to be selected for recognition.

Dave Hamner and Jim Barber  are proud to accept this honor on behalf of not only their theater staff and crew, but also on behalf of the 6,821 American casualties of the World War II Battle for Iwo Jima that their magical, multimedia production pays tribute to in each and every performance of the Hamner Barber Variety Show in Branson, Missouri.

Jim Barber is especially honored, as this is his second time to receive the award, having won a prestigious Silver Telly in 2005 for a project that his Hollister, MO based multimedia business Image Works, Inc. developed for the Boys & Girls Club of the Ozarks “Capital Campaign DVD.”  Todd Aeschliman, Jim’s long-time business partner at Image Works, is excited to see the Hamner Barber Show be honored with this award in 2010.

Since 1978, the mission of the Telly Awards has been to strengthen the visual arts community by inspiring, promoting, and supporting creativity. The Telly Awards received over 13,000 entries from all 50 states and 5 continents.

More information about the Hamner Barber Veterans Tribute can be found here.

The Hamner Barber Variety Show tribute to veterans entitled, “Thank You’s Not Enough,” is becoming a hot topic of conversation around Branson and among the many visitors who have experienced the live production show. Dave Hamner and Jim Barber were even recently awarded a National Commendation from the U.S. Army for creating and performing this tribute.

The 9.5 minute tribute is the finale to the Hamner Barber Variety Show and features an original song, orchestrated by music writer and composer Bobby Hamilton especially for this production. Sung by Dave Hamner and Jim Barber with vocal backups from the show cast, the song becomes the background to a multimedia history lesson presented on three screens across the front of the stage area. Featured on the video are three surviving heroes of the World War II Battle for Iwo Jima: Ray Victor Snapp, Richard F. Green, and Col. John Keith Wells. These three gentlemen appeared in person at the first annual Hand-In-Hand Branson Honors Purple Heart Recipients in April 2009 at the Hamner Barber Theater. Read more about that event.

The surprise finale of the tribute will only be reveled to those who see the show in person, but it can truthfully be reported that it has consistently produced emotional cheers, tears and standing ovations.

Below are some recent quotes from the press in regards to the Hamner Barber Veterans tribute:

“In a town that pays tribute to veterans on a daily basis, there’s a show which does it all up in as good a fashion as this writer has ever seen. We were so impressed with the way all vets are honored by the Hamner Barber Variety Show last Friday night. That segment which closes the show is done with class and true appreciation of the sacrifices made by our service men and women around the world. A great song performed here by Jim and Dave, “Thank You Is Not Enough,” Well done, gentlemen.”

Ronnie Page – Entertainment Editor, Branson Daily Independent (read full article)

“The show’s tribute to America’s veterans, living and dead, active duty personnel and their families is a show highlight that is both innovative and beautifully, humbly, and respectfully presented from the heart. In the world of illusions, performers have made people, airplanes, animals, trucks, and even mountains disappear or appear, but none has topped the emotional and patriotic size of this finale tribute illusion. It is a special blessing.”

Gary Groman aka The Ole Seagull, BransonCourier.com (read full article)

“New for the 2009 season is a finale that will bring tears to your eyes and pride in your heart. Keeping this story spoiler free is important, but the finale must be experienced to be believed.”

Josh Clark, The Shepherd of the Hills Gazette (read full article)

“One of the most moving events of the whole weekend…
There was not a dry eye in the house.”

Military Order of the Purple Heart – PurpleHeart.org

“Much more than simple acknowledgement, magician Dave Hamner and comedian Jim Barber dedicate the entire final segmet of their show to a breathtaking, poignant display capped by a momentous theatrical climax in honor of American veterans. Fathers, mothers, daughters, sons, uncles, aunts, friends, church members, community leaders: has the price invested for our FREEDOM touched you? Celebrate that gift! Commemorate that sacrifice with Hamner Barber in Branson this year!

A spectacular magic show and ventriloquism act showcases the talent of these award-winning performers. It all sets you up for the sensational final act – an inspired tribute to the courageous men and women of America who have given their talents – and their lives – so that FREEDOM lives in America.

“It hit me like I was there with them and it made me proud… it was overwhelming. I was actually crying.” – Robin Herman-Randall, Army veteran

Inspiring, rare, a memorable duet by Dave Hamner and Jim Barber ushers in a magnificent, touching audio/visual display impacting emotions and memories. With breathtaking special effects and a full-cast musical extravaganza, you will experience the astonishing surprise finale as only Hamner Barber can give.

Be magically and majestically buoyed in spirit – your heart inspired and uplifted with gratitude and praise for the veterans of the U.S.A.”

Dana Griffin – Branson Church Getaway Planner

Hamner Barber Theater wins award for
“BEST VARIETY SHOW IN BRANSON 2007 & 2008″
by BranSon Christian News

Congratulation to Jim Barber & Dave Hamner

“Comedy, magic, dance and birds are all part of the Hamner Barber Variety Show. Growing up watching Ed Sullivan makes us realize that the traditional variety programs are hard to find these days. When you see them on television now they are so cheesy and crass we can’t bear to put our family through it!

Dave Hamner and Jim Barber are a breath of fresh air!”

- John & Lila Sacoulas – Publishers, BranSon Christian News

Branson entertainers Dave & Denise Hamner and Jim Barber will each be honored as recipients of the“Merlin Award” by the International Magicians Society (IMS). The prestigious awards will be presented to the stars of The Hamner Barber Variety Show in person during their August 12th, 8pm show by the World President of the IMS, Mr. Tony Hassini.

The Hamners are being honored with their second Merlin Award as“Entertainers of the Year.” In 1999 they received the coveted award for “Best Manipulation.”

Making this year’s presentation even more special, Jim Barber is receiving his Merlin Award for “Ventriloquist of the Year,” being the first entertainer ever to receive this award for ventriloquism in the society’s 38 year history.

The International Magicians Society (IMS) is the world’s largest magic society as recorded in the Guinness Book of World Records. The IMS began in 1968 and now has over 37,000 members worldwide. It was created to help promote and preserve the art of magic and provide a format where magicians (and magic hobbyists) could share their secrets and ideas.

In the profession of magic, the Merlin statuette is the equivalent of the Oscar for film, the Emmy for television, and the Tony for theater. It is presented only to those entertainers who have achieved the highest level in their craft. The voting members begin with approximately one hundred names and narrow the list down to a select few. The criteria considered for a winner include talent, showmanship, originality, skills, and above all, the rare ability to entertain under any conditions.

The Merlin Award statuette was commissioned to over 100 art students from various colleges across the country. The winning design was carved and created in 1968 by New York University art student Carol Michaud.

Some of the more famous winners of the Merlin Award for excellence in magic include: Harry Blackstone, Doug Henning, Siegfried & Roy and David Copperfield.

Related websites:

Hamner Barber Theater
www.HamnerBarber.com

International Magicians Society
www.magicims.com

Jim Barber

The Hamner Barber Theater is pleased to announce that JIM BARBER has been nominated as Branson’s “BEST COMEDIAN” of 2006 by BransonCritic.com, a volunteer organization of writers and researchers of Branson shows with over 2,000 reviews currently online.

In 2005 BransonCritic.com also honored THE HAMNER BARBER VARIETY SHOW as it’s pick for Critic’s Choice as Branson’s “MUST SEE SHOW OF THE YEAR.”

Created by Doug Holland, the awards web site is a sophisticated method of ranking shows and entertainers by allowing fans of these shows to submit fair reviews to inform other potential Branson visitors of what there is to see and do in Branson, Missouri. It’s not a “push button” voting system, so awards are presented based on the quantity and quality of the reviews received on behalf of the nominated performers.