The Wonderful World of Branson!

Let me start by saying, there's no easy way to get to Branson, Missouri. However, it is worth the effort. I just finished up five days in Branson, working on a special section for an upcoming issue in the Singing News.

There's a lot I could write about. I could write about the great food. Believe me, I consumed a lot of it. I could write about the great shows as there are tons of 'em. I could dedicate an entire blog to the beauty of the Ozarks.

But, I want to talk about what's near and dear to my heart—Southern Gospel music.

There was Southern Gospel music being sung everywhere I went. When I say everywhere, I mean…everywhere.

I sat down to eat dinner at Mel's Hard Luck Diner on Wednesday evening when all of a sudden my waitress starts singing. Bernie Parquette did a great job singing, "Mary Did You Know" and "Just A Closer Walk With Thee." She was awarded Branson's Top Female Vocalist two years in a row. After a little research I found out that all of the servers are singers. They even have two past Top 40 American Idol contestants as singing servers. They all sang gospel music. Let's just say I'll be back.

Every show I attended included gospel music. Some of the shows had a special emphasis on Southern Gospel music. Mickey Gilley did a great job singing, "Why Me Lord" and "I'll Fly Away."

I would say nearly half of the Oak Ridge Boys show was Southern Gospel quartet music. They sounded great, by the way.

The Pierce Arrow Show included scripture reading and great Southern Gospel music. One of the vocal members is Casey Ellison, formerly with Chosen Few. It was great to be with this talented and sincere Christian gentlemen.

New South, a quartet of young men, is the house group for the Grand Jubilee Theatre. What a sound! Their bass singer, Mark McCauley, is one of the best I have ever heard. He has a cut to his voice that is a thing of beauty. Mark has been in the Branson area singing bass since 1984. He seems to be happy where God has placed him. If he wanted to tour, he would be one of the top ten bass vocalists his first year out. By the way, show producer Mike Patrick is a fantastic piano player and emcee. What a talent!

Everything about Presleys' Country Jubilee was fantastic, especially the gospel quartet music. Charles Presley has been a member of many Southern Gospel quartets and is a very fine tenor singer.

Of course, Silver Dollar City is the Southern Gospel music capital of the Ozarks. The Silver Dollar City's Southern Gospel Picnic brings thousands of Southern Gospel music fans to the Ozark's each September. Simply stated, Silver Dollar City does it right.

Fill up the car, catch a bus, paddle a boat, but do whatever it takes to get to Branson!

Posted by Les Butler at 4:58 PM - Send Comments - Email This Post