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Secrets of the Hamners Magical Parrots Revealed?

April 12, 2012 by

Video Flashback to 1998…

Enjoy this video clip of an interview with Dave and Denise Hamner on the Nationally syndicated TV series, Young America Outdoors. The show originally aired in 1998 while the Hamners were headlining the Branson City Lights show at the Remington Theatre in Branson, Missouri.

Hosts Toby Gaines and Alex Ellerman try their best to get the Hamners to reveal the secrets behind their magical performing parrots.  While the Hamners won’t give away everything, they do share some interesting facts regarding their beautiful, feathered friends. You will also see some video footage of their world-famous bird act that they still perform nightly along with many other amazing illusions at the Hamner Barber Theater in Branson.

Filed Under: 1998, alex ellerman, animal act, Branson City Lights, branson magic, Dave Hamner, denise hamner, Hamner Barber News, illusion, macaw, magician, News, parrots, Remington Theatre, toby gaines, tv, Video, YAO · Tagged With:

Jim Barber Grows Mustache Overnight For Centennial!

April 2, 2012 by

Emcee Jim Barber - Photo Courtesy of Gail Myer

Hamner Barber Theater comedian Jim Barber was honored to serve as Master of Ceremonies for the Branson Centennial Birthday Celebration in historic downtown Branson yesterday, April 1st.  Jim also serves on the steering committee who helped plan this and many more upcoming Branson Centennial events that will be occurring throughout 2012.

In order to have the appearance of someone who might have lived one-hundred years ago, most of the honored guests, speakers and participants attended the event dressed in period costume.  Several Branson clothing shops and Silver Dollar City’s costume shop kindly provided the early 1900′s apparel.

Jim decided it would be fun to grow a mustache to compliment his fancy new western themed outfit.  When he made his appearance at the museum dedication, many of his long-time friends had some difficulty in recognizing who he was.  He insisted that the mustache was genuine.  He even was quoted as saying, “It’s really my own mustache.  I know because I paid for it and glued it on myself!”

Click Image Above To Watch KY3-TV News Report

Branson Centennial News

The Centennial Museum Grand Opening event was held on a beautiful day offering a mild breeze and temperatures around 90 degrees. Several area radio and television stations were on-hand to capture the historic event. Links to two of these television station interview stories are below.

(front row - left to right) Katie Steele-Danner, Mayor Raeanne Presley, Chris Bohinc, Jim Barber

  • Watch the entire Branson Centennial Birthday Celebration courtesy of Luv2Video Productions.

Filed Under: branson 100, branson centennial, branson video, Hamner Barber News, hamner barber show, ky3, News, Ozarks First · Tagged With:

No Fooling, Branson Turns 100 Years Old on April 1st

March 31, 2012 by

Branson Centennial Celebration Begins April 1, 2012

Excitement reigns over the city of Branson, Missouri this weekend as the 100th anniversary of Branson’s incorporation as an official city takes place. The festivities begin on Sunday afternoon with the grand opening of the Branson Centennial Museum, located at the corner of Business 65 and Main Street in the very heart of Historic Downtown Branson. The event will welcome notables, citizens and visitors tomorrow to hear snippets of speech as recited by its for-bearers, and have the opportunity to sign a copy of the original 1912 petition to incorporate as a city, while enjoying an afternoon of street musicians, walking tours and story tellers.

Centennial Activities begin at 10am!

The new Branson Centennial Museum will officially open it’s doors at 10am for the public to view the amazing historic items on display.  At 11am, local radio station KRZK 106.3FM will begin live broadcasting from the museum with announcer Greg Pyron. At 1:30pm special guest speakers and area dignitaries will arrive in high style to be greeted by Centennial Chairwoman Ann McDowell along with museum curators Jim and Jean Babcock.

The celebration begins at 2pm with Mayor Raeanne Presley and invited speakers arriving at the Museum entrance in horse drawn carriage. Ceremonial events, including a blessing of the crowd by original member of the Jordanaires and Foggy River Boys, Bob Hubbard, the National Anthem performed by internationally acclaimed tenor George Dyer, and a Color Guard presentation by local Veterans will set the tone for an earnest but uplifting celebration for the citizens of Branson.

Celebrity Ventriloquist Jim Barber will serve a Emcee, and featured Speakers in addition to Mayor Presley include Branson Centennial Museum supporter Leon Combs and Katie Steele Danner, Director of the Missouri Division of Tourism.  Following the formal ceremonies, citizens are invited to sign a mock version of the petition, enjoy comedy entertainment and follow a Dixieland band into Downtown Branson for more music, fun and festivities until 5pm.

The intersection of Business Highway 65 and Main Street in Branson will be slowed to traffic during the ceremony between 1:15pm and 2:30pm.  Visitors attending the festivities are encouraged to utilize both available city and street parking, and to come early to get the best viewing spots in front of the Museum.  Seating will not be provided for this short ceremony.

The Branson Centennial Museum is the fruition of a labor of love, culminated through the work of the Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce (BLACC), the City of Branson, the Downtown Branson Mainstreet Association (DBMA) and the White River Valley Historical Society (WRVHS) intertwined over the course of many years.

Through the gracious donation of space from Mr. Jim D. Morris, philanthropist and local merchant, the Museum will reside at 101 Veterans Blvd in a building formerly housing Morris Oil Company.  With its prime visibility, visitors and locals alike will find the museum attractive and engaging.  Exhibits will remain fresh and interesting, with rotations expected on a six-eight week basis, depending on content.  Some of the initial exhibits planned include “Early Branson, prior to 1912 incorporation, The White River, The Roots of Tourism and School Days.” Curators Jim and Jean Babcock, along with many volunteers, have been working very hard for several months in preparation for this important event in Branson’s history.

This is the first of several public events taking place to celebrate Branson’s Centennial Celebration.  For more information on upcoming events, please visit Branson100.org and also be a friend on Facebook.

 

Filed Under: 2012, blacc, branson, branson 100, branson centennial, branson history, branson shows, centennial museum, dbma, Hamner Barber News, mayor presley, News, wrvhs · Tagged With:

Homer Lee & Friends Reunion Concert Announced

March 19, 2012 by

Homer Lee’s Biggest Show Ever at Hamner Barber Theater!

Click to Download Printable Homer Lee Concert Poster

Well known Branson comedian, entertainer and spokesperson Terry Wayne Sanders, aka, Homer Lee announced today on his Facebook page  as well as on HomerLee.com that he will perform a one-time reunion concert on Sunday, August 26th at the Hamner Barber Theater.

In what is being billed as “THE Show of the Season,” Terry will be including many of his Branson friends that he has entertained with over his past 33 years in show business. A list of featured performers is expected to be released soon.

Seating is by reservation only, call early or purchase online below for best seats available.

Hamner Barber Theater Box Office: 417-334-4363

In addition to the fun-filled variety show, this event will also feature a silent auction with proceeds going to benefit Camp Quality Ozarks, letting kids with Cancer be kids again!

HOMER LEE & FRIENDS REUNION SHOW | Sunday, Aug 26, 2012 – 3:00pm


 Homer Lee & Friends Reunion
Sunday, Aug 26, 2012
 2012 BOX OFFICE RATES
Adult (18+) $ 25.00
Seniors/Veterans $ 20.00
Teen (13-17) $ 15.00
Child (4-12) $ 10.00
Infant (0-3) FREE
11.6% sales tax additional

The Many Faces of Terry ‘Homer Lee’ Sanders

A native of Mountain Grove, Missouri Terry Wayne Sanders, also known as “Homer Lee,” is celebrating his 33rd year as a comic headliner in Branson, Missouri. He has entertained millions of people at Silver Dollar City with his wide range of characters and has been named Branson’s ‘COMEDIAN OF THE YEAR’ 3 years in a row!

Terry has hosted his own TV show on The Vacation Channel called ‘Branson Country’ with ‘Terry the Tour Guide’ for the past 15 years!

A veteran in films with Annie Potts, Tim Curry and Leslie Nielsen, Terry prefers the one-on-one touch and intimacy with audiences in live performances. In addition to his regular performances at Silver Dollar City and in The Shepherd of the Hills play in Branson playing several roles, Terry was the comedian at the Braschler Music Show for 17 years. His comedy antics earned him a regular spot on television’s Hee Haw where he worked exclusively with Roy Clark, Grandpa Jones and Minnie Pearl.  Since then he’s had the pleasure of working for many shows in Branson, Missouri such as Pierce Arrow, The Grand Jubilee, & The Branson Brothers Show.

This is Terry’s 6th season in a row performing the The Shepherd of the Hills play.  Terry’s wife & their sons, Austin & Evan Sanders perform in America’s #1 outdoor drama “The Shepherd of the Hills’ too.

He is also the host of a campfire wagon ride at Big Cedar Lodge near Branson as ‘Deputy Birdy’!

Terry’s an avid “people watcher” and uses his keen observations of day-to-day life to keep his material fresh and his audiences in stitches. It was Minnie Pearl who said it best, “Terry’s one of the best and honey, I’ve seen a lot!”

Filed Under: August 2012, Hamner Barber News, hamner barber theater, Homer Lee, Joan Rivers, News, reunion, Terry Wayne Sanders · Tagged With:

Branson Entertainers Thankful & Ready For Visitors

March 7, 2012 by

Members of the Branson League of Theatre Owners & Show Producers held a press conference on the famous W. Hwy 76 music strip in Branson, Missouri the day following a devastating F2 tornado that struck the popular tourist destination on February 29, 2012.

The common sentiment expressed by various members of the Branson entertainment community was concern for area residents and businesses who were affected by the damaging storm, as well as appreciation that most of Branson’s tourism based economy was intact and ready for visitors to come vacation in the Live Music Show Capital of the World.

On With The Show…

The Branson entertainers felt an urgency to send this message out as soon as possible. Of utmost importance to everyone, is that damages to homes, neighborhoods and businesses be repaired as quickly as possible.  The best way to accomplish that is to keep the economic engine of the community turning so that additional financial damages do not occur from a decline in tourism.

The message is simple… Branson is open and you’re invited to come have fun!

HD Broadcast Quality QuickTime Version File Download (623.5 MB)

Dialogue Copy :

JIM BARBER:  I’m Jim Barber, co-owner of the Hamner Barber Theater and President of the League of Branson Theatre Owners & Show Producers – known as the Branson Show League…

On behalf of the Branson Show League, thanks for joining us here in Branson, Missouri on this beautiful day in the Ozarks.

We’re here on the World Famous West Hwy 76, fondly called “the strip” by millions of visitors who vacation here each year.  Around me are many of the stars and entertainers who help make those vacation experiences fun for everyone.

With the advent of the F2 tornado that struck Branson we’ve received an outpouring of concern from our friends and fans from across the United States.

I can’t tell you how much that means to all of us.  First let me say, we’re thankful that there was no reported loss of life here and that our thoughts and prayers go out to the families who did lose loved ones throughout the Midwest. We have a lot of friends in our community that have lost their homes and belongings.  We also know that the damage to some buildings in Branson is extensive.  Our hearts go out to our neighbors and friends.  Efforts are underway to help those who have had damage make a speedy recovery.

For those seeking to help Branson, one of our communities’ greatest needs is to be able to communicate to those planning or considering a vacation; that Branson is open and if they come here they are going to have a great vacation.  In fact we have visitors here now and our shows are entertaining them right now… Here’s Adam Hughes with the Hughes Brothers Theatre…

ADAM HUGHES:  Branson is also known as the Live Music Show Capital of the World, and last night our theatre lived up to the well-known saying that the “show must go on.”  Our theatre is on the strip and sustained no damage, in fact, over 50 theatres in Branson are either open and presenting shows or getting ready for their opening night.  Here’s Mickey Gilley…

MICKEY GILLEY:  Tonight my theater, which is also on West Hwy 76 is opening with the premiere of SIX.  And I’ll be opening on April 1st.  Many of the stars around me will be opening over the next week and you can get a complete list at ExploreBranson.com.  Here’s my friend Kathy Lennon on the Lennon Sisters…

KATHY LENNON:  Along with our theaters and shows that are open, Branson has a huge and diverse choice of accommodations, restaurants, shops, and attractions available for your vacation.  Again you can find the list at ExploreBranson.com.  And we’re glad to say that the Andy Williams Moonriver Theatre where we’ll be performing is also on the strip and it will be opening soon.  Here’s Buck Trent… from FRD-TV Theatre.

BUCK TRENT: OH YEAH! UH HUH! And the shows are open and we’re invitin’ you to come visit and have a eye-openin’, hand-clappin’ time…

JIM BARBER:  That’s right Buck… and when you do you’ll be helping all of us including the State of Missouri.  Here’s Katie Danner, the Director of the Division of Tourism.

KATIE DANNER: (unscripted)

BRANSON MAYOR RAEANNE PRESLEY: (unscripted)

JIM BARBER:  We’re not only going to rely on our good friends in the media to get the word out that Branson is open and ready for visitors, we’re working in conjunction with the Branson Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce & CVB to create a cooperative advertising campaign to encourage visitors to come to Branson.  And when they do they’ll see that we live up to our hospitality promise… Branson.  It’s Your Show!

For more information: ExploreBranson.com, VolunteerBranson.org, ShowsInBranson.com

Filed Under: branson, branson shows, branson tornado, Hamner Barber News, missouri tornado, News, press release, shows in branson, theatre league, tornado damage ·

Hamner Barber Host Branson Rapid Response Team

March 2, 2012 by

Rapid Response Team Activated to Help Tornado Victims

An important informational meeting for all Branson area workers and employers who were affected by the Branson Tornado will be held this coming Tuesday, March 6th at the Hamner Barber Theater.

Through the combined efforts of the Missouri Department of Labor & Industrial Relations, the Missouri Career Center and the Branson Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce and CVB, and new Rapid Response Team has been activated to assist Branson workers and employers.

Branson Workers:

If you lost your job because of the Branson Tornado, the Missouri Departments of Labor and Economic Development are here to help.  On Tuesday, March 6th, there will be three public sessions on unemployment benefits, reemployment services, and housing information for workers who lost their job because of the tornado.

Branson Employers:

If your business was affected by the Branson Tornado, the Missouri Departments of Labor, the Taney County Business Development Partnership, and the Branson Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce are here to help.  On Tuesday, March 6th, there will be three public sessions to help employers with unemployment contributions, loss of records, layoffs, and recall dates.

All Branson area business owners and workers who were affected by the tornado should plan to attend one the the important informational sessions.

The three sessions will take place on Tuesday, March 6th from 10am – 12pm, 1pm – 3pm, and 3pm – 5pm at the Hamner Barber Theater located on 3090 Shepherd of the Hills Expressway in Branson.

Click here or on the image to the left to download a printable information sheet for your employees or fellow workers.

Visit mo.gov for more information.

Filed Under: branson, branson employers, branson tornado, branson workers, Hamner Barber News, News ·
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