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Branson’s New Airport Offers Just The Right Setting For Visitors
Arriving passengers at the new Branson Airport will find a warm, Ozark setting when they enter the new terminal building. This photo was taken just before the official opening on May 11. STORY & PHOTO BY BOB LINDSEY
Branson is celebrating the Ozark Mountain community’s 50th anniversary of live music this month coinciding with the area’s opening of the first privately-funded airport in the country, which is expected to bring even more visitors to discover the region’s entertainment and outdoor attractions.
The first music show in Branson started 50 years ago when the original members of the Baldknobbers, the Mabe brothers, provided country and hillbilly music for the fishermen who didn’t have much to do in the evenings. Today, the Branson area boasts 50 live entertainment venues with more theater seats than New York City.
The new airport is expected to open up the area to additional markets as well as to states where Branson already draws heavily. Air Tran and Sun Country are operating flights to Branson from Dallas, Atlanta, Minneapolis and Milwaukee. Regional jets to 757s can arrive at the new airfield, which was evident the weekend we visited when huge Air Force cargo planes were there for the air show that kicked off the airport’s opening.
“Convention business will continue to grow with low-cost airfare and even the motorcoach industry will have a fly/drive option of using local buses for their tours,” said Ross Summers, president/CEO of the Branson/Lakes Area Chamber and Convention & Visitors Bureau.
After attending the grand opening weekend of events for the airport earlier this month, it was easy to anticipate the reactions that first-timers and infrequent visitors would have after landing at the new airport.
The new terminal building greets arrivals to a rustic Ozark setting. As you enter the terminal, the appearance is like walking into a Bass Pro shop except there’s actually a bar on the premises and a full-service Famous Dave’s barbecue restaurant. The waiting area features rustic Ozark-style seating. The ten-minute drive into the heart of Branson rolls through the Ozark hills offering a warm friendly welcome.
Currently there are no flights from St. Louis. Perhaps that’s because we’re less than a four-hour drive away or Lambert Airport will be added later. You would think it would be perfect fit for American Airlines or American Eagle, but carriers are always secretive about plans for future air routes. For us, the drive down Interstate 44 and the new Highway 65 works fine.
Spring and Summer Shows
Of course, no trip to Branson is complete without taking in some of the great shows and we saw some old favorites and a couple of new ones on this visit.
Mickey Gilley is one of those Branson long-time regulars who still has the voice, surrounds himself with an award-winning eight-piece band, and plays the crowd with the songs he made famous. His Louisiana roots (he’s a first-cousin of Jerry Lee Lewis) is evident in his musical style and voice. Add in the comedy of band member Joe Riley and you have a two-hour delightful show now celebrating 20 years in Branson.
I forgot that it was his Houston nightclub Gilley’s that was the scene of the big John Travolta/ Debra Winger hit movie Urban Cowboy, which started an urban country and western fad 30 years ago. Gilley reminds us of those days performing songs from the movie, most of which he wrote, with a backdrop of the film on screen. Musician and comedian Joe Riley and Gilley’s banter add just the right mix to the show. Riley does his own matinees at the Mickey Gilley Theater on W. Highway 76. Phone 417-334-3210 or www.gilley.com.
The Spirit of the Dance is another show we witnessed for the first time. Located at the Branson Variety Theater, which also hosts the popular Twelve Irish Tenors and Broadway Celebration, the dance show was not entirely what we expected. This isn’t all Irish River Dance style, but a wide variety of dance and music that’s Irish in origin but worldwide in variety. This is a fast-paced two hours of hoofing and music for all tastes. Phone: 888-462-7267 or visit www.bransonvarietytheater.com.
The Legends in Concert we had seen once before, but some of characters were different. That’s because they change the performers four times a year. Two of our favorites, the Blue Brothers and an early Elvis, are still in the show and will be all year. The show we saw feathered Tina Turner, Alan Jackson and Rod Stewart look-a-likes and sound-a-likes.
The summer season show begins this weekend by adding Gretchen Wilson, Marilyn Monroe and the Temptations with Elvis and the Blues Brothers. This is a great tribute show to the originals and one of our favorites. The Legends Show has moved to the Dick Clark’s American Bandstand Theatre, a better fit for the show. Dick Clark’s ‘50s style diner adjoins the theater. Downstairs is the ’57 Heaven auto museum and town square, a must see for car buffs as it houses every 1957 vehicle imaginable in perfect mint condition. Phone: 417-332-1305, or. www-legendsbranson.com.
Two other Branson favorites were part of our Spring visit, Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede (see sidebar story on this page) and Branson’s famous fiddler Shoji Tabuchi has long been the must-see entertainer on a Branson visit. Busloads of visitors pack the theater for his three daily shows. The Japanese musician who came to the U.S. with $500 in his pocket as a young man is also in his 20th year in Branson. Because he spent a few years in Nashville and Bossier City, Louisiana, his musical talent includes Country, Bluegrass and Cajun, along with the classics, popular, gospel and show tunes. Shoji introduces most of the songs often with a short story before he makes his fiddle sing. Sometimes he provide special effects on the fiddle such as a roaring train or cows in the pasture.
The superb dancers are under his wife, Dorothy’s direction and their daughter Christina adds a delightful voice to the show. They even add a Christmas setting and a little holiday music to their Spring and Summer fare. The Shoji Tabuchi Theater famous is for its elaborate ladies and gentlemen’s room. The men’s room has Victorian antiques, black leather chairs, a marble fireplace and the famed billiard’s room. I was told the ladies room also has a fireplace, orchids and an attendant who dispenses hand lotion or perfume. Phone: 417-334-3716 or www.Shoji.com.
For more information about Branson and its more than 100 lives shows, Silver Dollar City, lakes, golf courses and accommodations call 800-214-3661 or visit www.explorebranson.com.
