The 1st Annual Branson Gong Show was a smash success thanks to the efforts of several fearless performers, three wacky judges, two beautiful “hoopa” girls, one sparkling scorekeeper, a wonderful warm-up man, and a clever comedian host.

Show producer Harry Watterson pulled all the strings backstage to create one of the most entertaining benefit shows to hit the Live Music Show Capital of the World.

Producer Harry Watterson

Christine Thompson, Director of the Branson Senior Center for whom the charity event was staged, thought the show was a huge hit not only for the crowd but for the “Meals on Wheels” program that they sponsor.  The Branson Gong Show netted around $4,000 with proceeds going to the various programs through the Southwest Missouri Office on Aging.

“We had such a great crowd, it was just awesome.   It was sort of like a wedding in that we did all this planning and practicing, and it was over in a flash.  Those funds will help so many programs for seniors, not only in this area, but all over Southwest Missouri.”

Christine Thompson – from Branson Tri-Lakes News Article

Gong Show Host: Jim Barber

Celebrity host Jim Barber kept things flowing and soothed the emotions of the unfortunate performers who felt the wrathe of the gong, generously donated for use at the event by Reliable Toyota of Springfield, Missouri.

Speaking of Jim Barber, the guy did a smooth job of keeping all the zanies at bay and keeping the show moving at a good pace.  We had thought the show would run long, however, after beginning at 6:49pm, the Gong Show concluded about 9:15pm.

Ronnie Page – Entertainment Editor – Branson Daily Independent

The three celebrity judges were magical illusionist Dave Hamner of the Hamner Barber Variety Show, amazing impressionist Bob Anderson, and the multi-talented singer, guitar player and impersonator George Trillinger.

Jim Barber with Judges: George Trullinger, Bob Anderson & Dave Hamner

Those judges by the way… had an unenviable task of judging and gonging some of the acts.  Don’t ever ask this writer to be a gong show judge.  I just couldn’t do it.  Incidentally, the “gong” used for the show was donated by Reliable Toyota.  Barber was quick to point out that when the gong was hit, it just kept on going.

Ronnie Page – Entertainment Editor – Branson Daily Independent

Mi Foo Ling

The beautiful and talented Dalena Ditto kept score as one by one, the talented (and not-so-talented) performers took their turn on stage.  The winners clearly stood out from a few of the strange and wonderful gong-worthy acts.  At times, the crowd jeered the judges to take a swing at even some of the better acts, yet when the smoke cleared there were three winners.

The grand prize went to 11-year old April Ash from Rockaway Beach.  April takes home a grand prize check for $500 and a great big “thank you” from the Branson Senior Center.  The second prize winner was a fellow just known as “Harold” who came on like a real nerd but sho turned into a real rocker with a hopping version of “Long Tall Sally.”  Harold Nino is employed by Branson High School as a paraprofessional.  Third place went to a relatively newcomer to Branson, Brian Wurst, who got everyone’s attention when he kicked off his shoe, pulled off his sock and proceeded to put it on his left hand like a glove.  Brian is a chiropractor in the Branson West area and was the recipient of a jab by host Jim Barber who noted that Brian could be the “Wurst chiropractor in the area.

Ronnie Page – Entertainment Editor – Branson Daily Independent

Sarah Rackley

See many more photos of the 1st Annual Branson Gong Show courtesy of Meadows Images.

Join Us for an evening of “Funds & Laughter”!

Mark Your Calendars for This Wednesday, February 24th at 6:49PM to attend the First Annual Branson Gong Show at the Legends In Concert Theatre in the Dick Clark’s American Bandstand Complex. Then get ready to laugh your head off while raising funds to help assist our area Senior Citizens who have difficulty getting around town on their own.

There’s never been a show like this in Branson before!

Jim Barber and Dave Hamner are volunteering to raise funds for the Branson Senior Center’s Meals-On-Wheels program.  Joining them in this worth while effort as judges are one of the greatest impressionists in the world, Bob Anderson, the beautiful and multi-talented singer, Dalena Ditto, and the incredibly gifted banjo king, Buck Trent.

Under the direction of veteran TV producer Harry Waterson (“Golden Girls,” “Benson,” “Evis: Aloha From Hawaii”) the First Annual Branson Gong Show will feature a dazzling array of amazing and not-so-amazing (but great fun) family friendly acts from across the Ozarks.  The performers will be competing for cash prizes and the chance to be the reigning Branson Gong Show Champion.

Tickets prices for adults: $10, kids: $5 and family: $25. There will be giveways and surprises during the show. Cash Prizes for the winning contestants are: 1st Place $500.17, 2nd Place $101 and 3rd Place: $49.99.  This promises to be a terrific evening of fun and all for a great cause!

Related Websites: Harry Waterson Credits, Hamner Barber Variety Show, Bob Anderson, Dalena Ditto, Buck Trent, Branson Tri-Lakes News Article

Branson’s Third Annual Holiday Promenade of Stars will roll down Branson’s Highway 76 Strip on Saturday, November 7th beginning at 10:30 a.m.  Dave Hamner and Jim Barber will be among the many Branson celebrities featured in the parade.

Entertainment legend Andy Williams is serving as Grand Marshall and singers Jimmy Osmond and Debbie Boone are serving as Hosts for the television special being made during the 1.4 mile-long parade that ushers in the Christmas season in the Live Music Show Capital of the World. The parade route begins at White Water and ends at the Grand Village Shops.

Along with Williams, Osmond and Boone, will be country music artist Neal McCoy, the Lennon Sisters & Brothers, Tony Orlando and Cathy Rigby as Peter Pan.

Also performing on the television stage are Clay Cooper, Johnny Lonestar, Penny Gilley, Jeff Brandt, the Haygoods, Todd Oliver & Irving, and Jim Barber & Seville from the Hamner Barber Variety Show. Also featured are the Knudsen Brothers, also known as SIX; Showstoppers! from the Showboat Branson Belle; the “Spirit of Christmas” dancers; and the cast of “A Dickens’ Christmas Carol” from Silver Dollar City. The Baldknobbers, Blues Brothers from “Legends in Concert,” and the Branson High School Cheerleaders are also scheduled for stage appearances.

The television broadcast schedule is for Thanksgiving and Christmas day to an estimated 102 million plus households across the nation. In the Springfield/Branson area the parade special will be televised on KSFX Ozarks FOX. In Branson on The Vacation Channel it will be aired six times: Thanksgiving Day at 8 a.m., Nov. 27 at 8 p.m., Nov. 28 at 8 p.m., Nov. 29 at 8 a.m., Nov. 30 at 8 p.m., and Christmas Eve at 8 p.m. National broadcasts are on RFD-TV and Retro Television Network. RFD-TV is carried on several satellite and cable providers including over 625 independent cable operators to 42 million households and Retro Television Network is seen in 17 of the top 25 markets to more than 60 million households on nearly 100 stations in cities such as Pittsburg, Atlanta, Seattle, Orlando, St. Louis and Boston, according to Nielsen ratings.

Produced by Midwest Concerts & Events, LLC, the Holiday Promenade of Stars promises to be a highlight of the many Ozark Mountain Christmas events planned this November and December.

For more information: HolidayPromenadeOfStars.com, Midwest Concerts & Events