This past week, College of the Ozarks, put on a play titled Railway to Heaven. It is a true story of an Ozarks POW from World War II.
The play was not heavily advertised, but I found out about it and wanted to see it. Being a drama person in high school, I'm always up for a play! To make this even better, it was free. They did a final dress rehearsal for elementary/middle school students and then did a complete presentation for the public at 2:00 one afternoon. I forgot my camera, so no pictures...... ;(
This play is about PFC Roy Hopper. He grew up in Harrison, Arkansas. He went off to war after his junior year of high school at the then, School of the Ozarks. Mr. Hopper entered the army, spent 13 weeks at basic training, and arrived in Normandy, France, on June 13, 1944, just 7 days after D-Day.
Mr. Hopper served in the 357th regiment, working as a frontline infantryman. On July 6, 1944, Hopper was taken prisoner and ultimately sent to a German Nazi labor camp. He remained imprisoned for 9 1/2 months. During that time, he and the other captured soldiers were faced with starvation, intensive labor, and gruesome circumstances.
During the winter of 1945, Hopper and 2 other prisoners escaped from the labor camp and ended up in a Red Cross shelter, where they were nursed back to health and sent home to America. In 2001, 57 years later, PFC Hopper received an honorary high school diploma from his alma mater—now called College of the Ozarks. General Colin Powell was there to present the honor. At the end of the play, they played footage of him receiving his diploma and it was a very moving moment. Mr. Hopper had MS and was wheelchair bound, but Colin Powell helped him stand when he received his diploma. Mr. Hopper was overcome with emotion.
“Because of great Americans such as Roy Hopper, we enjoy many freedoms that are too often taken for granted,” said C of O President Jerry C. Davis. “The College recognizes those freedoms came at a cost and will ensure future generations know that truth and are willing to continue safeguarding those freedoms.”
Mr. Hopper lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
The production was a good one. I would highly recommend you go, even if you have to pay.
In 2009, College of the Ozarks began the Patriotic Education Travel Program to further meet the College's Patriotic Goal designed to "encourage an understanding of American heritage, civic responsibilities, love of country and willingness to defend it."
The Patriotic Education Travel Program send Veterans back to their original theatres of war and pairs them with students for the experience, so that the younger generation will gain a lasting perspective on patriotism, service, and sacrifice, and so the Veterans' stories will never be forgotten.
Since it inception, the College has taken approximately 200 students and more than 100 Veterans to sites in Europe, the Pacific, Korea, and Vietnam.
The rich, educational journeys provide a life-changing experience for College of the Ozarks students, who not only learn volumes of history from first-hand participants, but grow to love and appreciate them. The students return with a renewed respect for Veterans and a dramatically increased love of their country. Maybe more schools should start a program like this!
bar harbor
Friday, October 30, 2015
Wednesday, October 21, 2015
RONNIE MILSAP
Ronnie Milsap was born January 16, 1943, in Robbinsville, North Carolina. A congenital disorder left him almost completely blind. Abandoned by his mother as an infant, he was raised by his grandparents in the Smoky Mountains until the age of five, when he was sent to the Governor Morehead School for the Blind in Raleigh, North Carolina. During his childhood he lost his remaining vision, and both his eyes were eventually removed.Throughout his childhood, he was interested in music—particularly the late-night broadcasts of country music, gospel music, and rhythm and blues.
When he was seven years old, his instructors began to notice his musical talents. Soon afterward he began studying classical music formally and learned several instruments, eventually mastering the piano. Within the next few years he also developed a passion for rock and roll music.
In December 1972, Milsap relocated to Nashville after a chance meeting with country music star Charley Pride who was in the audience for a Milsap gig at the nightclub Whiskey A-Go-Go. Pride was impressed with Milsap's singing and encouraged him to change course and focus on country music. Milsap began working with Pride's manager, Jack D. Johnson, and was signed to RCA Records in 1973.
He is credited with six Grammy Awards and forty No. 1 country hits, third to George Strait and Conway Twitty. He was selected for induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2014.
In November 2014, Milsap announced he would embark on a final concert tour. "You get to a place where you still have your health, but you know it's not given," explained Milsap. "I've been blessed with so many great songs, so many wonderful memories and stories -- and some of the very best fans in the business. Before I get to a place where it's not a celebration of the music, I want to go out and play all these hits for the people who love them as much as I do."
So, the concert in Branson last Sunday night was the last time Ronnie Milsap will be performing in Branson. I bought tickets. I love Ronnie Milsap music.
I saw him in H-town back in the 80's when he was at the height of his success and it was an awesome concert. He is blind, but he is definitely not hindered by that. His voice may not be as strong as it once was, but he can still play the heck out of the piano. He played most all of his hit songs and people in the audience were singing along. It was an awesome night.
Janie Fricke was the opening act. Janie was a popular country music female singer in the 1980s. She got her start singing jingles for commercials, she moved on to singing back-up for other artists, and eventually became Country Female Vocalist of the Year in 1982 and 1983.
It was great being able to see Ronnie Milsap and Janie Fricke. It brought back so many good memories of so many great songs. I LOVED it.
The concert was at the Moon River Theater. I will say that the theater needs some help before they have a concert of this caliber there again. They only had 1 door that you could enter AND there was only 1 mens' room and 1 ladies' room that you could use. This was a sold out concert and the place seats 2000 people. Not good. I will think long and hard before I go to that theater again.
So, all in all, great night. If you were a fan of country music in the 1980s and if Ronnie Milsap comes to a town near you on his farewell tour, go see him. You will be glad you did.
When he was seven years old, his instructors began to notice his musical talents. Soon afterward he began studying classical music formally and learned several instruments, eventually mastering the piano. Within the next few years he also developed a passion for rock and roll music.
In December 1972, Milsap relocated to Nashville after a chance meeting with country music star Charley Pride who was in the audience for a Milsap gig at the nightclub Whiskey A-Go-Go. Pride was impressed with Milsap's singing and encouraged him to change course and focus on country music. Milsap began working with Pride's manager, Jack D. Johnson, and was signed to RCA Records in 1973.
He is credited with six Grammy Awards and forty No. 1 country hits, third to George Strait and Conway Twitty. He was selected for induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2014.
In November 2014, Milsap announced he would embark on a final concert tour. "You get to a place where you still have your health, but you know it's not given," explained Milsap. "I've been blessed with so many great songs, so many wonderful memories and stories -- and some of the very best fans in the business. Before I get to a place where it's not a celebration of the music, I want to go out and play all these hits for the people who love them as much as I do."
So, the concert in Branson last Sunday night was the last time Ronnie Milsap will be performing in Branson. I bought tickets. I love Ronnie Milsap music.
I saw him in H-town back in the 80's when he was at the height of his success and it was an awesome concert. He is blind, but he is definitely not hindered by that. His voice may not be as strong as it once was, but he can still play the heck out of the piano. He played most all of his hit songs and people in the audience were singing along. It was an awesome night.
Janie Fricke was the opening act. Janie was a popular country music female singer in the 1980s. She got her start singing jingles for commercials, she moved on to singing back-up for other artists, and eventually became Country Female Vocalist of the Year in 1982 and 1983.
It was great being able to see Ronnie Milsap and Janie Fricke. It brought back so many good memories of so many great songs. I LOVED it.
The concert was at the Moon River Theater. I will say that the theater needs some help before they have a concert of this caliber there again. They only had 1 door that you could enter AND there was only 1 mens' room and 1 ladies' room that you could use. This was a sold out concert and the place seats 2000 people. Not good. I will think long and hard before I go to that theater again.
So, all in all, great night. If you were a fan of country music in the 1980s and if Ronnie Milsap comes to a town near you on his farewell tour, go see him. You will be glad you did.
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| Janie Fricke with Mo Bandy. Mo is another country music singer from the 80s. This was a surprise visit. Mo Bandy and Joe Stampley are appearing together in Branson next weekend. |
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| Janie Fricke |
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| Ronnie Milsap singing and playing the piano. |
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| Ronne Milsap at the end of the concert. |
Monday, October 19, 2015
THE HAYGOODS
The Haygoods grew up in humble beginnings in Boerne, Texas. As children, they played music and sang at festivals and fairs across the United States. In 1993, the family moved to Branson, Missouri and began performing daily shows at Silver Dollar City. For eight years, the family grew up in the theme park, performing five shows a day five days a week while taking music and dance lessons as well as completing schoolwork. The drive and persistence of oldest brother Timothy resulted in the family show become the most successful, highest rated show in the history of Silver Dollar City.
With a generous loan from their grandmother, the Haygoods took a giant risk and opened their own show on the Branson strip in 2001. The move from a theme park to town was more than a location change. The three oldest Haygoods also took creative and financial control of the show and began to make their mark on the show and music scene. The Haygoods became the youngest performing family to ever open their own show on the Branson strip.
In 2009, The Haygoods set about creating their own original music with the hope of reaching a national audience. In 2012 and 2013 the Haygoods became the longest running most succesful first generation show in Branson Missouri and celebrated with a SOLD OUT 20th anniversary show with over 2,200 in attendance.
Their show is one that supports the idea that Branson is changing and part of that change is trying to reach a younger audience. The Haygoods use pyrotechnics in their show as well as special lighting. One of the brothers comes in on a wire from the ceiling playing a guitar upside down. Their song choices are of more pop music. They get the audience involved by tossing beach balls into the audience and encouraging the audience to volley it from row to row back and forth as they sang Kenny Chesney's When The Sun Goes Down. There is also dancing and each of the performers are great musicians. Catherine is the only sister. There are five boys and one girl. Each play several instruments with Catherine playing the most. I felt like their instrument playing was better than their singing but I enjoyed both.
One of the brothers is sort of the comedian of the show. He played the banjo and he could REALLY play the banjo. Since the banjo is associated with backwoods rednecks, he rode around on a motorized ice chest and in a camo recliner. He was funny at times. There were a few lulls in the scripts and one of the brothers who is suppose to be funny too, was not. They need to work on that area of the show but overall, it is well worth seeing.
With a generous loan from their grandmother, the Haygoods took a giant risk and opened their own show on the Branson strip in 2001. The move from a theme park to town was more than a location change. The three oldest Haygoods also took creative and financial control of the show and began to make their mark on the show and music scene. The Haygoods became the youngest performing family to ever open their own show on the Branson strip.
In 2009, The Haygoods set about creating their own original music with the hope of reaching a national audience. In 2012 and 2013 the Haygoods became the longest running most succesful first generation show in Branson Missouri and celebrated with a SOLD OUT 20th anniversary show with over 2,200 in attendance.
Their show is one that supports the idea that Branson is changing and part of that change is trying to reach a younger audience. The Haygoods use pyrotechnics in their show as well as special lighting. One of the brothers comes in on a wire from the ceiling playing a guitar upside down. Their song choices are of more pop music. They get the audience involved by tossing beach balls into the audience and encouraging the audience to volley it from row to row back and forth as they sang Kenny Chesney's When The Sun Goes Down. There is also dancing and each of the performers are great musicians. Catherine is the only sister. There are five boys and one girl. Each play several instruments with Catherine playing the most. I felt like their instrument playing was better than their singing but I enjoyed both.
One of the brothers is sort of the comedian of the show. He played the banjo and he could REALLY play the banjo. Since the banjo is associated with backwoods rednecks, he rode around on a motorized ice chest and in a camo recliner. He was funny at times. There were a few lulls in the scripts and one of the brothers who is suppose to be funny too, was not. They need to work on that area of the show but overall, it is well worth seeing.
Friday, October 9, 2015
THE DUTTONS
We have what I consider lifelong (31 years) friends named Mickey and James. Our kids grew up together and they are more life family than just friends. They now live in Tennessee and we see them very seldom. However, Branson is one of the places that we do see them.
So, we (me, Mr. W, Mickey, James, and another couple) are at one of the shopping centers last Friday. The girls come out of one of the stores and all the guys are at one of those booths where they offer "free" tickets if you take a tour of something. We can't believe it! If one of us girls had approached one of these booths and wanted the guys to go on the tour, well........you know what would have happened! But, we go on the sales tour and end up with free tickets to The Duttons, The Million Dollar Quartet, and Pierce Arrow. I'm talking all 6 of us end up with free tickets. We also end up getting tickets to The Haygoods and Paul Harris for very cheap. AND we got a free Branson Discount Card ($25 value). Wow!
The funny thing was, Mickey was the most vocal about not wanting to do this. She put quite a few demands on the "booth guy" that she wanted passed along to the salesman that we would be talking to. She kept telling James the entire way to the sales office that we were just going to listen and get out of there as soon as possible. The "booth guy" told us that the presentation lasted anywhere from 1 to 1 1/2 hour. She set her watch. Guess who ended up buying? You got it, Mickey.
So, the other night, we went to see The Duttons. What a great show! The Duttons are a family of Mom and Dad and 7 children (3 girls; 4 boys) and 24 grandchildren. One daughter, who is single, and one son, who use to be in the group and is married with children, are the 2 children that are not in the show. Everyone else, grandchildren included, are in the show.
The children are unbelievable musicians. They can play classical music, pop music, country music, bluegrass music.....you name it, they can play it. Momma Dutton came out at one point and told some information about the family. She started all of her children playing classical violin between the ages of 3 and 5. One of the sons said that Momma Dutton use to wake him up early every morning before school and she would sit with him while he practiced his violin. He said that he did not have to practice everyday, just the days he wanted to eat! Of course, the grandchildren are all learning to play all those instruments too and some did play during the performance. They all sing and dance too. One of the sons is the star comedian of the show. He appears as "Julio." He was VERY funny. He was worth seeing by himself!
The Duttons appeared on America's Got Talent, season 2. They made it to the top 10 but were eliminated before the top 4. They now perform in Branson mid-April thru mid-December and go to Arizona to perform mid-December thru mid-April. They tour in short stints to other US cities and have performed internationally.
So, if and when you come to Branson, The Duttons are well worth your time and money to see. Thanks Mickey for the free tickets!
So, we (me, Mr. W, Mickey, James, and another couple) are at one of the shopping centers last Friday. The girls come out of one of the stores and all the guys are at one of those booths where they offer "free" tickets if you take a tour of something. We can't believe it! If one of us girls had approached one of these booths and wanted the guys to go on the tour, well........you know what would have happened! But, we go on the sales tour and end up with free tickets to The Duttons, The Million Dollar Quartet, and Pierce Arrow. I'm talking all 6 of us end up with free tickets. We also end up getting tickets to The Haygoods and Paul Harris for very cheap. AND we got a free Branson Discount Card ($25 value). Wow!
The funny thing was, Mickey was the most vocal about not wanting to do this. She put quite a few demands on the "booth guy" that she wanted passed along to the salesman that we would be talking to. She kept telling James the entire way to the sales office that we were just going to listen and get out of there as soon as possible. The "booth guy" told us that the presentation lasted anywhere from 1 to 1 1/2 hour. She set her watch. Guess who ended up buying? You got it, Mickey.
So, the other night, we went to see The Duttons. What a great show! The Duttons are a family of Mom and Dad and 7 children (3 girls; 4 boys) and 24 grandchildren. One daughter, who is single, and one son, who use to be in the group and is married with children, are the 2 children that are not in the show. Everyone else, grandchildren included, are in the show.
The children are unbelievable musicians. They can play classical music, pop music, country music, bluegrass music.....you name it, they can play it. Momma Dutton came out at one point and told some information about the family. She started all of her children playing classical violin between the ages of 3 and 5. One of the sons said that Momma Dutton use to wake him up early every morning before school and she would sit with him while he practiced his violin. He said that he did not have to practice everyday, just the days he wanted to eat! Of course, the grandchildren are all learning to play all those instruments too and some did play during the performance. They all sing and dance too. One of the sons is the star comedian of the show. He appears as "Julio." He was VERY funny. He was worth seeing by himself!
The Duttons appeared on America's Got Talent, season 2. They made it to the top 10 but were eliminated before the top 4. They now perform in Branson mid-April thru mid-December and go to Arizona to perform mid-December thru mid-April. They tour in short stints to other US cities and have performed internationally.
So, if and when you come to Branson, The Duttons are well worth your time and money to see. Thanks Mickey for the free tickets!
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| 3 of the children playing |
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| Routine that some of the grandchildren did |
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| "Julio" with the all the horns strapped to him, along with one of the other sons. |
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| One of their dance routines |
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| This was like the Irish dancers |
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| A Mary Poppins routine that featured some of the grandchildren. |
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| All the children and grandchildren that perform. |
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| The 5 Dutton children that perform. |
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| One of "Julio's" appearances in the show. He really did crack me up. |
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Wednesday, October 7, 2015
COLUMBIA, SC
Many of you know that Daughter and her family live in Columbia, SC. Columbia was hit was 24 inches of rain over the weekend due to hurricane Joaquin traveling up the Atlantic coast. I have had many ask me how they fared and thankfully, they have been high and dry. That has not been the case for much of the city.
Several months ago, Daughter had planned to meet her 2 sister-in-laws (on SIL's side of the family) somewhere this month. Daughter's birthday is this month and she will turn 35, her sister-in-law who lives in Colorado Springs turned 30 this year, and her sister-in-law that lives in Midland turned 25 this year. So, Daughter's mother-in-law wanted to help pay for all 3 of the girls to get together for a weekend. They decided that Savannah, GA was the place. The other 2 girls flew into Charleston, Daughter picked them up at the airport and then they all drove over to Savannah. Their weekend was pretty soggy but nothing like was happening at home while Daughter was gone.
By the time Daughter was headed home, the water system in Columbia had been shut down because it had been compromised with all the flooding. Fortunately, SIL had filled up their bathtubs for flushing and light bathing. Daughter was able to stop before she reached Columbia to buy water to last them for a few days.
There is a nice "little" lake that is in their neighborhood. It is by one of the roads they use to get to their house once you enter their neighborhood. The "little" lake became a raging river and washed out the road. Fortunately, there is another higher entrance into their neighborhood so Daughter could get home and they can get in and out of their neighborhood.
Forest Drive is one of the big, heavily traveled roads and as you can see from the pic below, it was very much impassable.
Samaritan Purse, Franklin Graham's organization, has sent volunteers and supplies to help. The Baptist Men of South Carolina have started arriving to help. Whole Foods was closed yesterday but put a post on Facebook with a picture showing bottled water in front of their store. They were offering the water for free on a first come, first serve basis. They asked that each family only take either 2 1-gallon bottles or 1 case of 24 bottles. Many others are pitching in to help.
A dam that is close to Daughter broke on Monday. Fortunately, the water is running away from their house. But, the area affected is the walking route that their family takes almost every day. Yesterday, another dam broke and Daughter was told to evacuate quickly. She told each of the girls to pack some clothes in their backpack to last a couple of days and to hurry. Fortunately, it was a false alarm. But, when she got back, she looked in Curly's backpack and here's what she had packed.
You can tell she is related to me. She is such a shoe girl. I mean, come on...........once you are out of harm's way, you have to look cute! Right? Too funny.
Please keep this city in your prayers. Some have lost all of their possessions. Some have lost their lives. A disaster like this takes a while to get over and to get back to normal. Pray specifically for their water system to be turned back on soon and free of contamination. Thanks for everyone's concern about Daughter. I am truly thankful that they were spared all the devastation.
Several months ago, Daughter had planned to meet her 2 sister-in-laws (on SIL's side of the family) somewhere this month. Daughter's birthday is this month and she will turn 35, her sister-in-law who lives in Colorado Springs turned 30 this year, and her sister-in-law that lives in Midland turned 25 this year. So, Daughter's mother-in-law wanted to help pay for all 3 of the girls to get together for a weekend. They decided that Savannah, GA was the place. The other 2 girls flew into Charleston, Daughter picked them up at the airport and then they all drove over to Savannah. Their weekend was pretty soggy but nothing like was happening at home while Daughter was gone.
By the time Daughter was headed home, the water system in Columbia had been shut down because it had been compromised with all the flooding. Fortunately, SIL had filled up their bathtubs for flushing and light bathing. Daughter was able to stop before she reached Columbia to buy water to last them for a few days.
There is a nice "little" lake that is in their neighborhood. It is by one of the roads they use to get to their house once you enter their neighborhood. The "little" lake became a raging river and washed out the road. Fortunately, there is another higher entrance into their neighborhood so Daughter could get home and they can get in and out of their neighborhood.
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| Little lake becoming raging river in their neighborhood. |
Samaritan Purse, Franklin Graham's organization, has sent volunteers and supplies to help. The Baptist Men of South Carolina have started arriving to help. Whole Foods was closed yesterday but put a post on Facebook with a picture showing bottled water in front of their store. They were offering the water for free on a first come, first serve basis. They asked that each family only take either 2 1-gallon bottles or 1 case of 24 bottles. Many others are pitching in to help.
A dam that is close to Daughter broke on Monday. Fortunately, the water is running away from their house. But, the area affected is the walking route that their family takes almost every day. Yesterday, another dam broke and Daughter was told to evacuate quickly. She told each of the girls to pack some clothes in their backpack to last a couple of days and to hurry. Fortunately, it was a false alarm. But, when she got back, she looked in Curly's backpack and here's what she had packed.
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| Doesn't every emergency need heels and flower-toed flats? |
Please keep this city in your prayers. Some have lost all of their possessions. Some have lost their lives. A disaster like this takes a while to get over and to get back to normal. Pray specifically for their water system to be turned back on soon and free of contamination. Thanks for everyone's concern about Daughter. I am truly thankful that they were spared all the devastation.
Tuesday, October 6, 2015
TAKE IT TO THE LIMIT
Things are a little different in Branson this year. I've been saying for the past couple of years that the entertainment industry was going to have to change somewhat here for it to survive. When Branson was in its height of tourism, everyone/every entertainer/every everything was built around honoring veterans, especially WWII vets. It was the right thing to do and it was the honorable thing to do because no where else was doing it. So, vets and their families flocked here and business was booming. Most all of the venues performed classic country and bluegrass music and the entertainment was geared around that generation of people.
Well, if you do the math, WWII vets are all in their 90s and there are very few still alive. If they are alive, most cannot travel much anymore. So, they are not in Branson anymore. Branson still went about trying to draw the younger veterans doing the same old, same old. It wasn't working as well. The young guys who are still in the military or who recently were in the military did not connect with what was going on here. The Vietnam vets, well, some did, some didn't.
Now, the people that are coming to Branson are "my generation." They are mainly Vietnam Vets and most of my generation grew up listening to The Eagles, Jackson Browne, Linda Ronstadt, etc., as well as country music like Larry Gatlin, Ronnie Milsap, and the Oakridge Boys. Don't get me wrong, I like classic country and bluegrass too. But, there needed to be more of a variety of entertainment to draw the "younger" crowd. Over the past couple of years, Branson has been evolving into a city that hopes to attract all ages of families and vets. They are adding more attractions for families with kids and closing down things that had attracted only the retired crowd. They are trying to get a good balance of everything.
OK, I said all of that to say that I went to see a show, "A Tribute to The Eagles".The show is in a very small theater. So, any seat is a good seat. The guys who did this show were awesome musicians. The lead guitar player could play the heck out of the guitar and make it look effortless. The bass player was voted best bass player in Branson. The lead singer had a very dynamic voice that sounded a lot like Don Henley's. And, they played almost all of the Eagles' greatest hits. (Take It To The Limit; Peaceful, Easy Feeling; Take It Easy; Witchy Woman; Tequila Sunrise; Hotel California; New Kid in Town; Desperado; Lyin' Eyes; Already Gone; One of These Nights; The Best of My Love) I could go on with more but if you are an Eagles fan, you get the idea.
I did look around at the crowd and the crowd was a younger crowd than most. Of course, they were still "old" because they were my age. There were some older and some younger, but I'd say I was the median age. All I know is that everyone there was singing along with the songs, clapping their hands, and really enjoying the evening. I know I did.
This theater also does a tribute show to Linda Ronstadt, Jackson Brown, Journey, and Creedence Clearwater Revival. If you are into classic rock and roll or know someone who is, I would recommend seeing one or more of these shows. This show is part of the 2 for 1 ticket sales. So, not only do you get to hear some good music, it is a bargain too. The Eagles tribute was really good and had me humming Eagles music for several days!
Well, if you do the math, WWII vets are all in their 90s and there are very few still alive. If they are alive, most cannot travel much anymore. So, they are not in Branson anymore. Branson still went about trying to draw the younger veterans doing the same old, same old. It wasn't working as well. The young guys who are still in the military or who recently were in the military did not connect with what was going on here. The Vietnam vets, well, some did, some didn't.
Now, the people that are coming to Branson are "my generation." They are mainly Vietnam Vets and most of my generation grew up listening to The Eagles, Jackson Browne, Linda Ronstadt, etc., as well as country music like Larry Gatlin, Ronnie Milsap, and the Oakridge Boys. Don't get me wrong, I like classic country and bluegrass too. But, there needed to be more of a variety of entertainment to draw the "younger" crowd. Over the past couple of years, Branson has been evolving into a city that hopes to attract all ages of families and vets. They are adding more attractions for families with kids and closing down things that had attracted only the retired crowd. They are trying to get a good balance of everything.
OK, I said all of that to say that I went to see a show, "A Tribute to The Eagles".The show is in a very small theater. So, any seat is a good seat. The guys who did this show were awesome musicians. The lead guitar player could play the heck out of the guitar and make it look effortless. The bass player was voted best bass player in Branson. The lead singer had a very dynamic voice that sounded a lot like Don Henley's. And, they played almost all of the Eagles' greatest hits. (Take It To The Limit; Peaceful, Easy Feeling; Take It Easy; Witchy Woman; Tequila Sunrise; Hotel California; New Kid in Town; Desperado; Lyin' Eyes; Already Gone; One of These Nights; The Best of My Love) I could go on with more but if you are an Eagles fan, you get the idea.
I did look around at the crowd and the crowd was a younger crowd than most. Of course, they were still "old" because they were my age. There were some older and some younger, but I'd say I was the median age. All I know is that everyone there was singing along with the songs, clapping their hands, and really enjoying the evening. I know I did.
This theater also does a tribute show to Linda Ronstadt, Jackson Brown, Journey, and Creedence Clearwater Revival. If you are into classic rock and roll or know someone who is, I would recommend seeing one or more of these shows. This show is part of the 2 for 1 ticket sales. So, not only do you get to hear some good music, it is a bargain too. The Eagles tribute was really good and had me humming Eagles music for several days!
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| Lead guitar player |
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| Lead singer |
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| Video of Eagles performing early in their careers |
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| All of the performers |
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| The drummer was really good too. I didn't get a shot of the guy playing keyboards, but he sang the really, really high parts and did a good job of it. |
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| During one of the Eagles' concerts, Joe Walsh had put on a helmet with a helmet cam on top and went out into the audience during one of the songs so people could see themselves on the big screens. Well, so did this guy. The bass player is the really tall guy. He didn't sing but he "moved with the groove" a lot. |
Sunday, October 4, 2015
THE KEETER CENTER
Have you ever heard of College of the Ozarks (CO)? CO is nicknamed "Hard Work U" because each full-time student that attends works on campus and along with educational endowments and scholarships, pays no tuition. Yes, as in free tuition.
How does that work?
Basically……Work Program + Federal and State Grants + College of the Ozarks Scholarship = Your annual tuition!
Each student participates in the on-campus work program for 15 hours per week and two forty-hour work weeks. Earnings from participation in the work program, plus any federal and/or state aid for which students qualify, plus a College of the Ozarks Cost of Education Scholarship combine to meet each student’s full tuition charge.
Generous donors, who believe in what College of the Ozarks represents, make financial contributions, enabling the College to provide tuition (cost of education) scholarships in exchange for work on campus. If you paid cash for instructional expenses at CO, it would cost you $18,300 per year! Their students work off a portion of this charge by participating in the work program during the academic year (about $4,242 annually). If students qualify for Federal or Missouri state aid, those amounts are applied to the cost as well. The remaining balance is covered by a College of the Ozarks Scholarship for each student (a range from $5,828 to $13,458 per student)! So how much money do you pay for tuition at CO? $0.00!
What is the College of the Ozarks Cost of Education Scholarship?
The “Cost of Education” is the cost to the College for providing an educational opportunity….approximately $18,300 per year for each student. Most institutions pass along a portion of this cost as tuition; this is not the case at College of the Ozarks. The College guarantees to meet all of this cost for each full-time student by using earnings from its endowment, operation of its own mandatory student work program, accepting student aid grants, gifts and other sources. Each full-time student's Cost of Education is met 100% by participating in the work program, and a combination of private, institutional and federal/state student aid. The institutional aid provided for each student is the College of the Ozarks Scholarship.
The Keeter Center is located at the CO. The Keeter Center is a combination of fine dining, historic lodging, and meeting rooms featuring service, entertainment, and products made by CO students. The students work at the Keeter Center. It is one of the "work assignments" that help pay for their tuition. One of the many experiences offered there is their Sunday brunch. It is not cheap, but it is very nice. Our group of friends decided we were going to go today for brunch to celebrate birthdays and anniversaries that have/are happening in September, October, and November. Come to find out, it was many of us.
Our waiter was great. His name was Greti. I'm not sure what nationality he is. He was a little hard to understand but very gracious when one of us asked him to repeat something. He took very good care of our needs and made it seem like it was a pleasure for him to serve us.
After he got our drink orders, we headed out to "graze". They had an omelet station where you could order a custom made omelet. There was a breakfast station with scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, potatoes, biscuits, gravy, and muffins. Belgian waffles and carved ham were offered at another station.
Breakfast not your thing? Don't worry. There was a station with carrots & cauliflower, green beans, mashed potatoes, roasted potatoes, grilled chicken, and pork loin. For those of you that love pasta, there was a station just for you. I didn't go look at that station, but one of the bunch said it was the best pasta she had had in a long time.
If eating healthy is your thing, there was a salad station. There were many things to combine for a green tossed salad. There was also several prepared salads, all kinds of fruit, meat and cheese platters.
Of course, what would any brunch buffet be without a desert station? Oh yeah! It was awesome!
They had a young man, who is a student, playing the piano while we dined. As soon as we were finished with one plate, the waiter would pick it up and off we would go to sample something else. Oh, I don't want to forget the rootbeer float station! Mr. W had had way more food than he normally eats in several days including desert, but decided to top all of that off with a rootbeer float. He said it was very good but when his stomach started gurgling, he wasn't sure it was such a good idea!
I am not one that usually goes to buffets or brunches because I don't get my money's worth. However, diesel to drive there - $5; brunch for 2 with tip - $62; celebrating with friends - priceless.
How does that work?
Basically……Work Program + Federal and State Grants + College of the Ozarks Scholarship = Your annual tuition!
Each student participates in the on-campus work program for 15 hours per week and two forty-hour work weeks. Earnings from participation in the work program, plus any federal and/or state aid for which students qualify, plus a College of the Ozarks Cost of Education Scholarship combine to meet each student’s full tuition charge.
Generous donors, who believe in what College of the Ozarks represents, make financial contributions, enabling the College to provide tuition (cost of education) scholarships in exchange for work on campus. If you paid cash for instructional expenses at CO, it would cost you $18,300 per year! Their students work off a portion of this charge by participating in the work program during the academic year (about $4,242 annually). If students qualify for Federal or Missouri state aid, those amounts are applied to the cost as well. The remaining balance is covered by a College of the Ozarks Scholarship for each student (a range from $5,828 to $13,458 per student)! So how much money do you pay for tuition at CO? $0.00!
What is the College of the Ozarks Cost of Education Scholarship?
The “Cost of Education” is the cost to the College for providing an educational opportunity….approximately $18,300 per year for each student. Most institutions pass along a portion of this cost as tuition; this is not the case at College of the Ozarks. The College guarantees to meet all of this cost for each full-time student by using earnings from its endowment, operation of its own mandatory student work program, accepting student aid grants, gifts and other sources. Each full-time student's Cost of Education is met 100% by participating in the work program, and a combination of private, institutional and federal/state student aid. The institutional aid provided for each student is the College of the Ozarks Scholarship.
The Keeter Center is located at the CO. The Keeter Center is a combination of fine dining, historic lodging, and meeting rooms featuring service, entertainment, and products made by CO students. The students work at the Keeter Center. It is one of the "work assignments" that help pay for their tuition. One of the many experiences offered there is their Sunday brunch. It is not cheap, but it is very nice. Our group of friends decided we were going to go today for brunch to celebrate birthdays and anniversaries that have/are happening in September, October, and November. Come to find out, it was many of us.
Our waiter was great. His name was Greti. I'm not sure what nationality he is. He was a little hard to understand but very gracious when one of us asked him to repeat something. He took very good care of our needs and made it seem like it was a pleasure for him to serve us.
After he got our drink orders, we headed out to "graze". They had an omelet station where you could order a custom made omelet. There was a breakfast station with scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, potatoes, biscuits, gravy, and muffins. Belgian waffles and carved ham were offered at another station.
Breakfast not your thing? Don't worry. There was a station with carrots & cauliflower, green beans, mashed potatoes, roasted potatoes, grilled chicken, and pork loin. For those of you that love pasta, there was a station just for you. I didn't go look at that station, but one of the bunch said it was the best pasta she had had in a long time.
If eating healthy is your thing, there was a salad station. There were many things to combine for a green tossed salad. There was also several prepared salads, all kinds of fruit, meat and cheese platters.
 |
| Salads |
 |
| Desert |
 |
| Rootbeer Float Station |
I am not one that usually goes to buffets or brunches because I don't get my money's worth. However, diesel to drive there - $5; brunch for 2 with tip - $62; celebrating with friends - priceless.
Saturday, October 3, 2015
MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET
"Million Dollar Quartet" is a recording of an impromptu jam session involving Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, Roy Orbison, and Johnny Cash made on December 4, 1956, in the Sun Record Studios in Memphis, Tennessee. An article about the session was published in the Memphis Press-Scimitar under the title "Million Dollar Quartet".
The jam session seems to have happened by pure chance. Perkins, who by this time had already met success with "Blue Suede Shoes", had come into the studios that day, accompanied by his brothers Clayton and Jay and by drummer W.S. Holland, their aim being to cut some new material, including a revamped version of an old blues song, "Matchbox". Sam Phillips, the owner of Sun Records, who wanted to try to fatten this sparse rockabilly instrumentation, had brought in his latest acquisition, Jerry Lee Lewis, still unknown outside Memphis, to play piano (at the time, a Wurlitzer Spinet) on the Perkins session. Lewis's first Sun single would be released a few days later. Sometime in the early afternoon, 21-year-old Elvis Presley, a former Sun artist now with RCA Victor, dropped in to pay a casual visit accompanied by a girlfriend, Marilyn Evans. At some point during the session, Sun artist Johnny Cash, who had recently enjoyed a few hits on the country charts, popped in. Jack Clement was engineering that day and remembers saying to himself "I think I'd be remiss not to record this" and so he did. The recordings show Elvis, the most nationally and internationally famous of the four at the time, to be the focal point of what was a casual, spur-of-the-moment gathering of four artists who would each go on to contribute greatly to the seismic shift in popular music in the late 1950's.
During the session, Phillips called a local newspaper, the Memphis Press-Scimitar. Bob Johnson, the newspaper’s entertainment editor, came over to the studios with UPI representative Leo Soroca and a photographer. Johnson wrote an article about the session, which appeared the following day in the Press-Scimitar under the headline "Million Dollar Quartet".
So........last night I went to see the performance of the show "Million Dollar Quartet" in Branson, MO. Yep, I'm in Branson and this is the first show I have seen. I had heard it was good and well worth seeing. It is. I will say that it started out a little slow, but definitely got better as it went. It is a lot of acting and explaining the history of how this impromptu jam session happened through the dialogue. It also includes a lot of singing by each character and their performances are very good.
The guy who played Johnny Cash sounded EXACTLY like Johnny Cash. Not only when he sang, but even when he spoke. He is a much littler guy than Johnny, but I thought he was pretty amazing. The guy who played Elvis was really good too. When he sang, he did a really good job of imitating Elvis' tone and inflections in his voice. The guy who played Jerry Lee Lewis could PLAY THE HECK out of that piano. OMG! I use to play the piano and if I could play like that, I would probably still be playing the piano. He also did a good job of acting crazy (sort of like being 2 bricks short a load) like Jerry Lee. I didn't really follow Carl Perkins and don't know much about him to know if the guy who played him did a good job or not. I will say that he was entertaining and could really play the guitar.
So, the show was well worth going to and if you are in Branson, this is one worth seeing.
The jam session seems to have happened by pure chance. Perkins, who by this time had already met success with "Blue Suede Shoes", had come into the studios that day, accompanied by his brothers Clayton and Jay and by drummer W.S. Holland, their aim being to cut some new material, including a revamped version of an old blues song, "Matchbox". Sam Phillips, the owner of Sun Records, who wanted to try to fatten this sparse rockabilly instrumentation, had brought in his latest acquisition, Jerry Lee Lewis, still unknown outside Memphis, to play piano (at the time, a Wurlitzer Spinet) on the Perkins session. Lewis's first Sun single would be released a few days later. Sometime in the early afternoon, 21-year-old Elvis Presley, a former Sun artist now with RCA Victor, dropped in to pay a casual visit accompanied by a girlfriend, Marilyn Evans. At some point during the session, Sun artist Johnny Cash, who had recently enjoyed a few hits on the country charts, popped in. Jack Clement was engineering that day and remembers saying to himself "I think I'd be remiss not to record this" and so he did. The recordings show Elvis, the most nationally and internationally famous of the four at the time, to be the focal point of what was a casual, spur-of-the-moment gathering of four artists who would each go on to contribute greatly to the seismic shift in popular music in the late 1950's.
During the session, Phillips called a local newspaper, the Memphis Press-Scimitar. Bob Johnson, the newspaper’s entertainment editor, came over to the studios with UPI representative Leo Soroca and a photographer. Johnson wrote an article about the session, which appeared the following day in the Press-Scimitar under the headline "Million Dollar Quartet".
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| A photo taken that day of the Million Dollar Quartet |
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| Elvis |
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| Carl Perkins, Elvis, and Johnny Cash |
So, the show was well worth going to and if you are in Branson, this is one worth seeing.
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| Jerry Lee Lewis (playing the piano while sitting on top of it), Carl Perkins standing on his brother's bass fiddle, Elvis on his knees looking at Jerry Lee, and Johnny Cash playing his held high guitar. |
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