Billboard Song Contest Awards Show Hottest Ticket in Branson

The 15th Billboard World Song Contest Awards Show and Presentation will be held March 29 at 7:00pm at the Mansion Entertainment and Media Center in Branson, MO. This performance of the winners of their respective songwriting genres promises to be the best ticket in Branson to open the season in America's favorite Entertainment City. Twelve top talents whose songwriting and performing skill have earned them recognition in the world's top songwriting contest will be onstage pouring their hearts into their personal best songs. They will also be competing for cash prizes that night.

Each writer has already won prizes and recognition by winning one of twelve categories of music. Top prizes include keyboards from Casio America, membership in key music organizations TAXI, Sonicbids, GoGirlsMusic.com, as well as BluBlocker Sunglasses, D’Addario guitar strings, software from Indie Band Manager and more.

Tickets can be bought via ticketmaster at the Mansion Entertainment and Media Center website.

Join us in Branson for the celebration of America's finest new all around talent!

Branson a Hot Spot for Reunions

Midwest Living Magazine has placed Branson at the top of its list for Best Family Reunion Spot. Branson ranked five stars in the magazine’s categories of appeal, lodging choices, and planning help and three stars for location. Appeal was based on a family’s desire to go to a location. Location looked at convenience and proximity to major cities or airports. Lodgings checked the range of different types of lodging, while planning help took on the dedication of tourism office staff to help families plan their event.

The article said Branson has “lodgings for everyone,” that “music shows, Silver Dollar City theme park and Table Rock Lake bring travelers” to the area. The Branson Chamber of Commerce helps hundreds of families a year plan their reunions by collecting the group’s information and then sending the information to establishments that cater to reunions.

“We were so excited to see the March-April issue of ‘Midwest Living’ magazine highlighting family reunions,” said Lynn Berry, director of public relations for Branson Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce. “And we were so proud that Branson was selected as their top pick.”

Some of the top Branson lodgings chosen for the spread include Thousand Hills, Westgate Branson Woods Resort, Still Waters Condominium Resort and The Village at Indian Point.

Information courtesy of Branson Daily News

Welk Resort Welcomes the Rankin Brothers

You've more than likely heard it said that everything old is new again. The Rankin Brothers Classic Music Revue is a fresh approach to timeless musical classics.

"This is a culmination of a dream come true”, stated Matt Rankin. Brought up in Texas, where they honed their musical skills, performing in Branson has long been their goal. “Several offers came through, but we felt that Joe Sullivan and the Welk Resorts Organization were the perfect match for us and our families”, agreed Mark Rankin. And, after a recent performance at a local community luncheon, the Manager at the Welk Resort Branson explains, “After the Rankins appeared, our phones started ringing off the wall! The people absolutely love them!”

The multi-media show speaks to all groups and all generations. Based on a belief that classic music is timeless, the Rankin Brothers project a love and respect for the music they play. Along with their considerable vocal and musical talents, the Rankin Brothers have a stage presence that audiences adore. Maria Elena Holly, widow of the late, great Buddy Holly commented, “Our Visitors from England, as well as our local friends were absolutely wowed in grand style by the music and showmanship of the Rankins. They did a tremendous job with Buddy’s music.”

The show consists of musical numbers from the 50’s to the 90’s and for a few hours, time will stand still as they take the audience on a memorable journey with hits from THE RIGHTEOUS BROTHERS, SIMON & GARFUNKEL, BUDDY HOLLY, THE EVERYLY BROTHERS, NEIL DIAMOND, CONWAY TWITTY, GEORGE STRAIT, ELVIS PRESLEY, and many others. Rounding out the cast will be the Rankin Brothers Brand, female singers and dancers and a comedian.

The show will take stage in March 17, 2008 and run through December 31, 2008.

The Other Spring Break is in Branson, Missouri

Spring Break is a great time to bring your family to Branson and enjoy one of the best times of the year at this premier vacation destination in the Ozark Mountains. Moms, Dads and kids will love to spend time together at the indoor water park located at Grand Country Inn, take in a giant-screen production at IMAX, get a chance to race each other at The Track on Go-Karts, play a round at 300+ holes of Mini Golf, Ride the Ducks on a fun, scenic tour of the lake, board the TITANIC -- World's Largest Museum Attraction, see the New Shanghai Circus Acrobats of China or visit the The Butterfly Palace & Rainforest Adventure, where you can walk among 1,000 live tropical butterflies from around the world. And don't forget to visit the caves -- Talking Rocks Cavern, Cosmic Cavern and Fantastic Caverns -- all good places to go during a spring shower!

Many of Branson's live performance venues introduce their new acts and new shows in the spring of each year, and 2008 offers an unprecedented variety of music, comedy, magic, acrobats, Broadway-style production shows and more. And if you are into golf, the area's newest course, Murder Rock Golf and Country Club, is ready for play. You can take your family for a hike along an Ozarks nature trail, or take a boat out on the lake and enjoy some of the best fishing this time of the year on Table Rock Lake, especially for lunker bass.

The award-winning theme park, Silver Dollar City, has Spring Break Days that run Thursdays through Sundays, March 20 -30, except Saturday, March 29. The park offers rides, attractions, crafts and entertainment. Hours are 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. each day (except Sunday, March 30 when the park opens at 9:00 a.m.), with a line-up of entertainment for kids and families wanting to make the most of spring break. The park will host singing groups from The Branson Brothers to the Sons of the Silver Dollar along with an interactive science show.

Silver Dollar City kicks off its biggest festival year ever on April 3 with World-Fest presenting an Irish Celebration with an all-new Irish production show, Feet of Fire, featuring a full cast of singers, dancers and musicians plus authentic fire dancing. Hundreds of performances from around the world celebrate the cultures and heritage of exotic lands.

Once a year, Branson packs a little bit of everything it has to offer into five fun-filled days with eight shows featuring world-class performers, local arts and culture, free shows in the Great American Entertainment tent and authentic Branson fare. BransonFest welcomes spring each year with a virtual smorgasbord of everything this amazing tourist destination has to offer -- and all in one location! Celebrating its 16th year, BransonFest 2008 is set for April 8-12 at Dick Clark's American Bandstand Theater complex.

The Showboat Branson Belle launches its season March 14, with cruises on select days in March. Headlined by ventriloquist Todd Oliver and his trio of live talking dogs, Branson's premier lake experience includes a 3-course dinner, a cruise on Table Rock Lake and a world-class production show, in the 700-seat theater aboard the paddlewheeler. Cruises begin March 14 and run Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays through March, with cruises at noon and 4 p.m., except March 24.

Information courtesy of Branson Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce Convention and Visitors Bureau

Titanic Museum Celebrates the Irish

The Titanic Museum Attraction will celebrate the Titanic/Irish connection March 1 to 17 in a special tribute to the many Irish passengers and crew who sailed on the ship's maiden voyage.

Owner John Joslyn says the 17-day event will feature Celtic dancers, the popular Dirty Old Towne band, Titanic Branson's own versatile crew of Irish storytellers and much more.

Titanic was said to be "born in Ireland” because, in large part, thousands of Irish workmen at the Harland and Wolff Shipyard in Belfast created her. In addition, the ship carried more Irish passengers than any other nationality aboard and employed more Irish crew members than other passenger liners of its day. “These are the brave people we celebrate and the legacy we honor during Irish-American Heritage Month at Titanic,” says Joslyn.

During the event, Irish-costumed crew members will greet Museum Attraction visitors and regale them with the true stories of Irish passengers—those who survived and those who perished. Visitors will also meet Titanic’s own Father Browne, the young Irishman who took the only photographs of Titanic at sea with passengers aboard. “This stunning, world-exclusive exhibit literally stops visitors in their tracks,” says Joslyn. “Father Browne’s photos capture the Titanic story in ways that words alone just can’t.”

The World’s Largest TITANIC Museum Attraction is the new landmark family destination in Branson, Missouri. In nearly two years of operation, it has already welcomed more than 855,000 guests aboard. The 17,000 square-foot, ship-shaped structure - built half-scale to Titanic’s original size – towers more than 100 feet above its anchored position on Highway 76. A 90-minute self-guided or optional audio tour covers 20 galleries on two decks where more than 400 priceless artifacts are on display that once belonged to Titanic’s passengers or crew.

Information courtesy of Titanic Museum

Legends in Concert Announces Spring 2008 Line Up

Legends in Concert is very excited to announce the 2008 Spring star line up. They include: George Strait portrayed by Larry Turner along with Marilyn Monroe (Stacey Whitton), Buddy Holly (George Trullinger), The Blues Brothers (Justin Clark and Art Vargas) and Elvis (Dean Z). His impersonation invokes Elvis from the 50's. They are here through May 20.

Legneds has had a facelift to their stage and transformed it into an awesome set accommodating 2 new male dancers. They have always had 6 girl dancer/singers and now we have Gabriel Quintero, Charles Redding, joining Cindy Dardas, Tori Dey Palumbo singer/dancer, Tiffany Powers singer/dancer and line captain-Stephanie Drey.

Beginning March 1, they are open for 3 & 8 PM shows daily except Wednesdays.