New South's Scott, Trey, Jason, and Mark.
The “Grand Jubilee” has everything one would expect from a Branson show, great vocalist, instrumentalists and comedy, but with something else, synergy. When extremely talented vocalists are combined with equally talented musicians and one Branson’s best comedians the resulting synergy results in a fast paced entertainment experience in the “grandest” Branson tradition.
The Grand Jubilee show features the quartet “New South,” composed of Trey Wilson, Lead Singer; Jason Pritchett, Baritone; Scott Leven, Tenor and Mark McCauley, Bass. These guys have great voices and sing a variety of different music beautifully. Their exceptional harmonies are a joy to hear. Among others, New South’s performance of the inspirational “How Great Thou Art” and the J. D. Souther song, “How Long” support their billing as “Branson’s best quartet.”
If it stopped there that would be enough, but it doesn’t. It is obvious that a lot of extra effort has gone into the production and choreography of the show. That along with the costuming adds so much to the audience’s entertainment experience. A personal favorite of this writer was their performance of “YMCA” during the “70’s Medley” in the second half of the show and the great “moves” by Bass singer Mark McCauley.
Jackie Brown and Todd Bradshaw do a wonderful job as featured vocalists. Brown’s duet performance of the Kenny Rogers Dottie West hit “Every Time Two Fools Collide” with New South’s Trey Wilson and Bradshaw’s performance of the George Jones hit, “He Stopped Loving Her Today,” with Massengale featured on the fiddle were exceptional.
The “Grand Band,” is composed of some of the best musicians in Branson and are an inherent part of the show not only in terms of musical support, but in performing featured numbers during vocals. The instrumentality of the Grand Band is demonstrated throughout with two of this writers favorites being their solo of a “Bluegrass LaLaPaLooza” and their featured performances during many of the numbers such as in “Kentucky River.”
Jim Dandy,” played by Jamie Haage along with his straight man, Mike Patrick, provide the shows comedy. It’s just the right amount of comic relief at the right time provided by one of funniest men in Branson. The constant rumble of laughter from the audience is almost loud enough to hide the sound of what happened to Jim Dandy’s hand grenade.
Comedy is only one facet of the multitalented Haage who is also an accomplished vocalist and instrumentalists. In terms of funny and unique his version of of “Nine to Five” stands alone. At the other end of the spectrum his renditions of “Mama Don’t Allow” and “Mama’s Teaching Angels” are simply beautiful vocals with an eternal message.
Mike Patrick is the show’s producer, Master of Ceremonies and comedy straight man. In addition to his own considerable talents, he uses the synergy provided by the talents of all the shows performers to provide two of the best and fastest moving hours of entertainment in Branson.
For additional information or tickets on the “Grand Jubilee” or any another Branson show, attraction or lodging please feel free to contact the Branson Tourism Center (BTC). It is one of Branson’s largest and most respected vacation planning services, sellers of Branson show tickets, attraction tickets and lodging and may be contacted by either calling its toll free number 1-800-785-1550 or through their website www.bransontourismcenter.com.