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!

Lead guitar player

Lead singer

Video of Eagles performing early in their careers

All of the performers

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.

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.