New Fantastic Acts! Hilarious Fun!

The Branson Gong Show benefits Branson’s Homebound Senior Meal Program!

• Place: Hamner Barber Theater
• Date: Wednesday, February 22nd
• Time: 6:49pm (doors open at 5:45pm)
• Ticket Donation: $15.00, $5.00 (10 and under)

Tickets may be purchased the day of the show or in advance by visiting the Hamner Barber Theater Box Office (417-334-4363) or the Branson Senior Center (417-335-4801). Cash or personal check with verification accepted. No credit cards.

Is Food Available? Yes, the refreshment stand will be open serving a variety of cold and hot drinks, fresh popcorn, nachos, roasted nuts, and an assortment of candy bars and other snacks.

The Hamner Barber Theater is proud to announce that they will host the 3rd Annual Branson Gong Show with Jim Barber returning once again as Master of Ceremonies along with the following celebrity judges and guest stars…

• Joseph Hall (as Elvis)
• Dalena Ditto (as Wonder Woman)
• Terry Wayne Sanders (as Joan Rivers)
• Brydon Brett (from the Brett Family Show)
• special guest Reggie (from Jeerk)

Our celebrity guests have the important task of judging the great and not-so-great talent that will be competing in this year’s show.

This event has been a smashing success each year due to the volunteer efforts of several fearless performers, three wacky judges, the talented Gong Show Band, two beautiful “hoopa” girls, one sparkling scorekeeper, a wonderful warm-up man, a crazy comedian host, and an energized audience who came for a great evening of fun and laughter!

This year’s show is under the direction of respected musician and show producer Bogie Bohinc, who helped developed the annual event since it’s inception with Harry & Carolyn Watterson.

Bogie is an accomplished guitarist who grew up in Cleveland, Ohio. He was a major studio recording artist for many years in Los Angeles, and has worked with hundreds of the top names in the music industry in Las Vegas, Reno, Tahoe, and Atlantic City. In Branson he has served as guitarist and musical conductor for many headline artists including Andy Williams, Tony Orlando, Ann Margret, and the “Ragin Cajun” Doug Kershaw. He is married to City of Branson Alderwoman, Chris Bohinc.

Christine Thompson, with the Southwest Missouri Office on Aging is the Director of the Branson Senior Center for whom the charity event is staged. She feels the past year’s show have been a huge hit not only for the audience but also for the “Meals on Wheels” program that they sponsor.

“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

Branson Gong Show Host: Jim Barber

Branson ventriloquist and celebrity host Jim Barber will keep things flowing and sooth the emotions of the unfortunate performers who may hear the sound 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 new slate of judges for the 2012 edition of the Branson Gong Show are busy practicing their swings so they can compete with past celebrity judges: magical illusionist Dave Hamner of the Hamner Barber Variety Show, amazing impressionist Bob Anderson, and the multi-talented singer, guitar player and impersonator George Trullinger.

Jim Barber with Branson Gong Show 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

The Fair Family – 2011 1st Place Winners

Ozark Eddie

Sarah Rackley

Mi Foo Ling

Each year, the winners clearly stand out from a few of the strange and wonderful gong-worthy acts. At times, the crowd jeers the judges to take a swing at even some of the better acts, yet when the smoke clears there will be three winners. Be there to share in the fun and excitement yourself!

See many more photos of the 2nd Annual Branson Gong Show courtesy of Meadows Images.