It is everything you would expect to see in Las Vegas shows except they are completely clean. Yes, some of the performers are like the audience, Senior Citizens, but those who are, still have all the talent and voices that made them famous in their younger years.
I am always amazed at the older singers who still have amazing voices. We saw Andy Williams two years ago. He also sounded just like the old days.
Mel Tillis made it big in Country and Western music as well as appearing in several movies. He is now 80 years old and sounds just the same as ever. He is in really good shape physically. Twice he ran full speed clear across the stage.
He was further away from me and my camera than I would have liked so most of my pictures are a bit on the fuzzy side. He was also very animated and didn’t hold still as he sang and played the guitar.
Mel Tillis’s performance is accompanied with a full band. He also sang with his 50-year old very talented son, Mel, Jr.
After the show he signed autographs. It was the only time I could catch him holding still.
Our next show was Pierce Arrow.
They are a younger high energy male quartet, all with significant musical backgrounds.
Tim Storms, their bass singer (far right) holds two Guinness World Records, one for the lowest note produced by a human (almost two octaves below the piano’s lowest note) and also for the widest vocal range for a male.
Gary Koreiba (second from left) has sang on some of the Bill Gaither Homecoming videos and Gather albums. He is married to Kim Boyce the female singer who solos with the group.
Kim Boyce, former Miss Florida, singer and author.
Then there is Jarrett Doughtery, Branson’s Comedian of the Year for several years running.
He pops in and out of the performance as various characters, all of them hilarious.
All the members of Pierce Arrow have backgrounds in Christian music and make their faith know to the audience. No, they don’t preach, they just let you know where they put their faith and then put on a wonderful show of great talent.
Our next show was the #1 Hits of the 60’s. This was popular music from our days between high school and college and beyond.
This was another very high energy group of three girls and three guys.
They dressed in 60’s style outfits.
There were comedy skits with songs, this one the high school teacher and the geeky guy.
They sang the Beach Boys songs…
…the Supremes…
…and the Platters.
And don’t forget Elvis!
Next we went to the Sight and Sound Theater for a performance of ‘Joseph.’ This was my personal favorite, although due to the quality of the performances here in Branson, it is hard to pick a favorite.
The lion and the lamb lay on top of a fountain in front of the building.
The lobby is cavernous and beautifully decorated. The theater seats over 2,000 people.
“Joseph” is the Old Testament story of Biblical Joseph who was sold into slavery by his brothers. Eventually he became a top leader in Egypt.
The story demonstrates the forgiveness he gave to his brothers who had sought to harm him. It is powerfully portrayed through song and acting. There is a huge cast in an equally huge theater with all the special effects you could imagine.
Here again, I was not allowed to photograph, so went to the web for a few pictures.
Here Joseph rises above the audience during one of the dream scenes. (Sorry I couldn’t enlarge this anymore. I guess I’m not the only one who takes fuzzy pictures.)
My seat was on the aisle where a camel, sheep, goats and actors passed me by just inches.
Joseph in his coat of many colors.
A few of Joseph’s brothers.
Joseph’s is reunited with his father.
The motorhome developed an electrical problem, forcing us to spend another day in Branson waiting for parts and repairs. Well that gave us time to catch another matinee show.
We were entitled to half-price tickets to the matinee show of Pierce Arrow. The matinee is a different show than the evening show we saw two days earlier, so off we went to one last show.
This time the “Janitor” was having very funny difficulties and had to explain to the music director...
In between Jarrett Dougherty’s escapades the Pierce Arrow sang.
Then “Cousin Chip” showed up with more crazy antics…
A few more songs and then…
…here came the hunter with the biggest gun I have seen…and equally big stories.
Finally Elvis showed up, complete with white jump suit and sideburns. It was a riot! This show was even better than the first.
Next stop, St. Louis.
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