Buck Trent and his marker on the Spartanburg Music Trail.
BRANSON, Mo., August 28, 2013 – “Recently, three Branson entertainers, Buck Trent, Mickey Gilley and Dean Z were each honored in separate and unique events,” said Tammy Johnson, the Director of Operations for the Branson Tourism Center. “Although each recognition was unique, the common thread between them was honoring and acknowledging the talent, accomplishments, and professionalism of each” she continued.
“Oh Yeah”, thumbs up and “Uh Huh!” as Spartanburg, SC, honored its native son, internationally acclaimed banjo picker and entertainer Buck Trent, for a distinguished entertainment career that has spanned over half a century. The city declared August 26th as “Buck Trent Day” and unveiled the “Buck Trent Marker” on the “Spartanburg Music Trail.”
Although, throughout his career Trent has received numerous honors and awards including twice being named the “Country Music Association Instrumentalist of the Year” he said that being honored by his hometown was really something special. Visitors to Branson can experience this amazing entertainer in the Buck Trent Show throughout the season.
The legendary Mickey Gilley will be inducted into the National Traditional Country Music Hall of Fame on August 31st in Le Mars, Iowa as part of its 38th Annual National Old-Time Country & Bluegrass Festival. Gilley who has earned numerous awards including the Academy of Country Music’s Entertainer of the Year said that he was “surprised and honored to be nominated for this prestigious award.”
Although many thought his career was over after receiving a paralyzing injury in 2009 Gilley is currently performing his Mickey Gilley show at his Branson theatre, Sunday through Wednesday. In addition he will be the guest host for Branson Tourism Center’s next exclusive Cruise With The Stars event at 11:45 AM on September 19 providing his fans with an unparalleled up close and personal experience with Gilley including opportunities for photos and autographs.
Dean Z, who has been performing as the Elvis Tribute Artist in the Branson edition of the Legends in Concert Show since 2007, won the national “Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest,” in front of a full house at the Cannon Center for the Performing Arts in Memphis, TN on August 27. Sanctioned by Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc. the Ultimate Elvis® Tribute Artist Contest™ involved hundreds of Elvis tribute artists competing in 28 preliminary Ultimate Elvis® Tribute Artist Contest™ events all over the United States for cash and an invitation to the Ultimate Elvis® Tribute Artist Contest™ Semi-Finals in Memphis during Elvis Week. “At Legends in Concert we take great pride that our tribute artists are the best of the best,” said Jeannie Horton, General Manager, of the Branson Legends in Concert Theatre. “We have always known that Dean Z was one of the best Elvis Tribute Artists out there and we are just thrilled that now the whole world knows,” she continued.