Recently, John Presley, a third generation member of Presleys’ Country Jubilee, the first show to locate on the now famed Branson Strip, participated in a “Branson Up-Close and Personal” interview. These interviews are a service of the Branson Tourism Center, one of Branson’s largest and most respected vacation planning services and provide readers with an up-close and personal look at a Branson star or personality.

Tammy Johnson, the Director of Operations for the Branson Tourism Center said, “The ‘Branson Up-Close and Personal’ interviews are just a small part of our overall effort to help those interested in Branson to get the information they need to not only plan their trip to Branson, but have a great experience while in Branson.” Johnson also points out that Presleys’ Country Jubilee has been operating at its current location on the Branson Strip since 1967 and is one of Branson’s most popular and successful shows.

Interview excerpts:

BTC: How long have you been Performing with Presleys’ Country Jubilee
JP: 18 years, I started when I was 10 years old.

BTC: How many generations of Presleys’ actually perform in the show?
JP: Right now there are three generations actually performing in the show. My grandpa performed on stage up until last year, but has retired.

BTC: Any of the original cast still performing?
JP: Yes, my dad Steve Presley the shows drummer and my uncle Gary Presley who plays the character of “Herkimer” in the show.

BTC: What is your first memory of Branson?
JP: Being born here I have a lot of memories but one of the things that comes to mind is going fishing with my grandpa on Table Rock Lake.

BTC: What do you like best about performing in Branson?
JP: Being able to relate to and interact with the audience in a personal way. We don’t just perform and walk away, we get to meet them personally and that means a lot.

BTC: Where is your favorite place to eat in Branson and your favorite dish at that place?
JP: I love Chester’s. My favorite dish is the Chicken Pesto Salad Sandwich.

BTC: If you could perform or meet with any entertainer/person (living or deceased) who would it be and why?
JP: Floyd Cramer because I grew up with learning his style piano and play some of his songs in the show. His song “Last Date” is the number one song people like to hear me play.

Click here for the entire interview.

Elvis tribute artist Joseph Hall.

“Branson, Missouri is blessed with a number of great Elvis tribute artists,” said Tammy Johnson, the Director of Operations for the Branson Tourism Center. “From entire tribute shows like Tony Roi’s Elvis Experience and Joseph Hall Presents Elvis – Eras of the King to segments of individual shows such as Tony Z in the Legends of Concert, Elvis and the Superstars or the Rankin Brothers, Branson is one of the best places in the nation to experience the excitement of Elvis.”

How good are Branson’s Elvis tribute artists? As but one example, when Joseph Hall appeared on America’s Got Talent Piers Morgan said, “Elvis is back in the building.” Marti Nelson, an avid Branson Show goer and an Elvis fan since 1962 has personally seen ten live Elvis Concerts. In commenting on Hall’s show she said, “Although he’s new at this he is the best that I have seen. It’s like watching Elvis.” When asked if she would recommend the show she said, “I would say everybody has to go see Joseph Hall.”

“The saying, ‘Elvis has left the building,’ takes on special meaning for the 2011 Branson season,” says Johnson. “But there’s good news, because although they are leaving the building it is just to change theatres. Tony Roi will be moving from the Americana Theatre to the Andy Williams Moon River Theatre for his 20ll season. Joseph Hall will be leaving the Owens Theatre in Historic downtown Branson and moving to the Americana Theatre in the middle of the Branson Strip.

Hall said, “I am absolutely thrilled to be moving my show to the strip and to The Americana Theatre.” He also said he was very excited to be working in the same theatre as The Haygoods and that “they are an incredible success story here in Branson!” In leaving the Americana Theatre for Andy Williams Moon River Theatre Roi said, “I have enjoyed working with the Haygood Family, but the time has come for me to branch out and have my own slot in another location on the strip.”

“One thing is for sure,” said Branson Tourism Center’s Johnson, “Anyone wanting a great Elvis experience can find it in Branson Missouri, the ‘Live music show capital of the world.”‘ For additional information on any of the shows mentioned in this article or any of Branson’s other shows and attractions or for lodging arrangements please contact the Branson Tourism Center (BTC), one of Branson’s largest and most respected vacation planning services. BTC can be reached by either calling their toll free number 1-800-785-1550 or through their website www.BransonTourismCenter.

Michael Grimm during Branson Tourism Center interview.

(Branson, Mo)  During an interview about his expectations from competing on the NBC prime time hit show “America’s Got Talent (AGT)” Michael Grimm said, “I just want to get as far as I can get. It would be an honor if I can make it a couple of rounds, open some doors for my career, and make enough money to build my Grandma a new house.” The exclusive interview, for the Branson Tourism Center, was conducted right after his initial audition for AGT had aired and two days prior to leaving the “Righteous Brothers’ Bill Medley” show in Branson, Missouri to devote full time to the competition.

On the evening of September 15, the smooth raspy voiced southern blues singer went as far as anyone can go on America’s Got Talent and received its ultimate honor. In front of a national prime time audience, Grimm won AGT and its first place prize of $1 million dollars and being the privilege of being headliner on the AGT National Tour and show at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.

From the thousands that initially auditioned for the show and after weeks of competition four acts made it to the Finals which was held the evening of September 14. The four finalist were “Prince Poppy Cock,” basically a singer who presents his songs in his own unusual, but extremely entertaining way; “Fighting Gravity,” a black light show with great visual appeal and Jackie Evanco an 11 year old young lady with an operatic voice that is unbelievable and Michael Grimm. “America voted” and Michael Grimm came in first, Jackie Evanco second, Fighting Gravity third and Price Poppycock fourth.

During the Branson Tourism Center interview Grimm said that his relationship with his Grandma, Laura Butters, goes back to about age four when she took over the raising of him and his sister after their parents separated. He unabashedly says that “My grandma is my inspiration” and credits her, not only with his interest in music, but with the start of his professional career.

Michael Grimm and McKenna Medley singing ""You Don't Know Me" during one of his last performances in the "Righteous Brothers' Bill Medley Show."

He said that it started at about age six when he and his sister started singing the great hymns like “Jesus Loves Me,” “Amazing Grace” and others in church. At about age twelve he started singing professionally in “hole in the wall” bars in the Waveland Bay St. Louis area in southern Mississippi. On each appearance his Grandma would chaperone him and sit there drinking “Diet Cokes” all night until he was through.

Grimm said that over the last ten years he has worked a lot in Las Vegas at casino lounges such as Caesar’s Palace, New York New York and the Station Casinos. He is also an accomplished song writer; has opened for artists such as the band Heart, BB King and Peter Green, who used to be with Fleetwood Mac; has recorded and released two CDs “Michael Grimm Live,” recorded live at the Cannery Casino in Las Vegas and “I Am Michael Grimm,” with all original music and is currently working on another unnamed CD with which he is honored to have Bill Medley helping him on a couple of the songs.

He went on to say that over the last year or so he has been working with Bill Medley on various road trips and in “The Righteous Brothers’ Bill Medley Show in Branson, as a vocalist and guitar player. Although his first visit to Branson wasn’t until the second half of 2009 it has obviously made an impression on him. Grimm said, “My first memory of Branson is the hospitality and friendliness of everybody. This is God’s country out here, this is America and that’s what I love about it.”

In an interview with Levi Michael of the Branson Tourism Center on September 16, Bill Medley said that Grimm is a true artist, passionate about his music and deserves every bit of the wave of success he is riding. When asked what she thought about Michael winning AGT McKenna Medley said, “I am so ecstatic, it’s not even funny. I was freaking out, I went running jumping screaming and couldn’t even talk for 30 minutes.”

While in Branson performing in the Righteous Brothers’ Bill Medley Show, Grimm sang a duet with McKenna of the Jann Arden song “You Don’t Know Me.” He sang that song in the audition that launched him on his way to winning AGT and caused the shows MC, Nick Cannon to say, “That’s a Super Star’s voice right there.” America has voted and evidently they agree.

Related articles:

Branson entertainer Michael Grimm makes Final Four in “America’s Got Talent”

Branson entertainer Michael Grimm pursues dream on NBC’s “America’s Got Talent”

Great video of Bill and McKenna Medley sharing insights on Micheal Grimm

( Branson, MO ) “A recent Branson show review appearing on www.Branson.Com/News describes Branson’s Dutton Show as ‘a driving, exciting, touching, comfortable and simply wonderful entertainment experience,'” said Tammy Johnson, the Director of Operations for the Branson Tourism Center, one of Branson’s largest and most respected sellers of Branson show and attraction tickets, lodging and vacation planning services. “It was a great review, entitled ‘The Duttons drive their audience to new entertainment heights,'” she continued.

Johnson points out that the reviewer said the shows enjoyment goes beyond its “instrumentality, vocal skills, great sets, costuming, choreography and the way the show seamlessly flows from one enjoyable element to the other.” The review refers to the synergy of the show’s individual elements resulting “in a dynamic and unique quality family entertainment phenomenon that thrills and delights the audience.”

It also indicates that children should just love this show because of the artful integration of the Dutton grandchildren into the show at key points. The reviewer said, “The way additional younger family members are worked into the show is a joy to experience…. Whether its playing a Munchkin, singing or playing a fiddle, the participation of the younger children in the show is well planned, professional, and not only enhances the total entertainment experience of the show for adults, but gives the children in the audience something they can specifically relate to and enjoy.”

Excerpts:

The “driving start” to this year’s show gives the audience an idea of some of the surprises and exciting entertainment that lies ahead. There’s nothing ordinary about any part of this show…

Their “initial set,” including the Alabama hit “Roll On (Eighteen Wheeler),” their own special rendition of “The Orange Blossom Special,” the Duttons’ “patented” musical introductions using the “Foggy Mountain Breakdown, the Buddy Holly hit “All My Love All My Kisses,” “Footloose ” and others, sets the tenor for what is to follow. Within those first few numbers, the audience not only meets the Duttons, but experiences the power, diversity, excitement, originality, energy and beauty of the entertainment experience that is “The Duttons!”

Click here to read the entire review.

America's Got Talent Finalist,Michael Grimm during interview just prior to leaving Branson for his live AGT performances.

“The caliber of the vocal and instrumental performers in Branson’s live shows is second to none,” said Tammy Johnson, the Director of Operations for the Branson Tourism Center. “Day to day, in terms of quality, diversity of choice and excitement, Branson’s live shows provide some of the best entertainment available anywhere.”

Johnson points out that until a couple of months ago, visitors to Branson would have seen Michael Grimm, as the guitar player and vocalist with the “Righteous Brother Bill Medley Show” in Branson. On September 7 and 8, with millions watching on national TV, Grimm competed and was selected as one of the four finalists on the NBC prime time hit show “America’s Got Talent (AGT).”

The other finalists are “Prince Poppy Cock,” basically a singer who presents his songs in his own unusual, but extremely entertaining way; “Fighting Gravity,” a black light show with great visual appeal and Jackie Evanco an 11 year old young lady with an operatic voice that is unbelievable. They will be competing for the $1 million dollar prize and other career changing opportunities including a National Tour and being the headliner of a Las Vegas Show, on Tuesday night, September 14 with the results being announced on Wednesday night September 15.

At the time of the airing of the taped audition show that started Grimm on his journey he was playing in the Righteous Brother Bill Medley show in Branson. Within a week of that airing, after his June 5th performance with the show, he left Branson to devote full time to the AGT competition.

Two comments come to mind that seem particularly appropriate as Grimm goes into the AGT Finals. One was the almost prophetic statement made by AGT host Nick Cannon, after watching Grimm’s initial audition performance, when he said, “That’s a Super Star’s voice right there.” The other two were made by Grimm himself during an exclusive interview with this writer for the Branson Tourism Center, one of Branson’s largest and most respected vacation planning services, two days before his final Branson performance, when he said, “I just want to get as far as I can get. It would be an honor if I can make it a couple of rounds, open some doors for my career, and make enough money to build my Grandma a new house.”

Grimm,s relationship with his “Grandma” is special and dates back to when he was four and she took over the raising of him and his sister after their parents separated. He credits her with his interest in music and the start of his professional career saying, “My grandma is my inspiration.” Grandma Laura Butters was sitting in the audience as he performed for the finals on Tuesday night and on Wednesday night when his selection to the Final Four was announced.

Grimm also said during the interview that he would be coming back to Branson. When asked “Even if you win?” Shaking on it he said that there are wonderful people here, he had a great experience in Branson and would be back whether he wins or not.

“While it would be nice if Grimm does come back to Branson to perform, the great news for Branson visitors,” said Branson Tourism Center’s Johnson, “is that many performers of his caliber are performing in Branson’s live shows on a daily basis”. For additional information or tickets for any of Branson’s shows and attractions or for lodging arrangements please contact the Branson Tourism Center by either calling their toll free number 1-800-785-1550 or through their website www.BransonTourismCenter.com.

Branson Tourisim Center's Becky Jewsberry congratulating the Petersen's after presenting them with the first place prize check. Left to right, Katie, Matthew, Jon, Karen (mostly blocked) and Ellen. The lady in red to the right is Barbara Fairchild.

Branson’s “Petersen Family Band” won the 2nd Annual Branson Christian Action Ministries’ (CAM) Gospel Sing-Off held at Branson’s Sight and Sound Theatre, the home of spectacular productions of “NOAH the Musical” and the “Miracle of Christmas” at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 5. The 12 finalists, selected from over 50 applicants from five different states performed before a large Branson crowd and a panel of celebrity judges competing for $3,000 in prizes.

The celebrity judging panel was composed of people, who like the vast majority of everyone else associated with CAM, volunteered their time. The judges were Branson performers Barbara Fairchild, George Dyer, and Benjamin Dutton; Ronnie Page Entertainment Editor for the Branson Daily Independent and a member of the “Nashville’s Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame” and John Bartley, a photographer for the Chicago Tribune.

The 12 finalists were “Jericho,” a quartet from DeSoto, MO; Shelley Luginsland living in Branson West, MO; Todd Braschler from Wichita, KS; “One For All,” quartet from Harrison, AR; “Angels Wings” from Branson, MO; Zach Svoboda from Vinton, IA; “The New Joy Quartet” from Ash Grove, MO; Sarah Clemmens from Tahlequah, OK; “Psalmody,” a trio from Branson, MO;” Matt’s Family Jam,” a family quintet from Branson, MO; “Connected,” a duet from Branson West, MO and “The Petersen Family Band from Branson, MO.

The competition was filled with great gospel singing and a great mix of original music. When the results were tabulated Todd Braschler had won the third place prize of $500.00, Psalmody second place and $1,000 and The Petersen Family Band first place and its $1,500 first place prize.

The Petersen Family Band, consisting of the father Jon; mom, Karen; sisters Katie and Ellen and brother Matthew performed a live “non track” music program displaying not only their instrumental and vocal talents, but their ability to connect with the audience. The highlight, in this writers opinion, was their acapella version of “Travelin Shoes.”

After presenting the checks to the winners, Becky Jewsberry representing the prizes donor, the Branson Tourism Center, said, “What a wonderful afternoon of talent and gospel music. It was a an honor for us to be able to partner with CAM in an event like this that is a major fund raiser for CAM’s work in helping to feed the needy and hungry within our community. What a blessing it is to be a part of providing an opportunity for such talented performers to share their talents on the stage of the Sight and Sound Theatre with a Branson audience having a heart for CAM’s work and gospel music.”

Bob Hubbard, of the “Foggy River Boys” and the original lead singer of “The Jordanaires,” did an excellent job of Emceeing. In addition to the talent of the competitors, world-renowned tenor and Branson performer George Dyer opened the show with a set. His rendition of “Abide With Me Tis Even Tide” was simply amazing. While awaiting the judges final tabulations, last year’s winners of the event, “The Sons of the Silver Dollar, who perform at Silver Dollar City, showed the crowd just why they won with a wonderful performance and their goose bump generating presentation of “In God We Still Trust.”