(Joplin, Mo. 10-25-2011)

With the presentation of $159,785.44 to St. John’s Mercy Hospital-Joplin, Branson Cares for Joplin saw the fulfillment of their original goal to “help our neighbors”. This message was delivered during the live Branson Cares For Joplin Benefit Concert & Telethon sponsored by the League of Branson Theatre Owners & Show Producers (The Branson Show League). At that time it was announced that over $221,000 was pledged to help the Joplin School’s music program and St John’s Mercy Hospital-Joplin.

Jim Barber, Gary Pulsipher, Danny Thomas, Susan Weimer, Cindy Merry, Gene Bicknell

Jim Barber, of the Hamner Barber Variety Theater and President of The Branson Show League said, “To date we’ve raised $223,463.68 and donations are still arriving. Of the monies already collected we’ve distributed $45,000 to the Joplin Band Booster account, $5000 to St Mary’s Catholic Music program, and $1,000 dollars each to Palen Music and Hoover Music for instrument repair (over 300 instruments valued at $100,000 dollars were also donated). This donation today of $159,785.44 to St. John’s Mercy Hospital-Joplin goes to help support Mercy Health keep their over 2,000 workers employed as the hospital is being rebuilt. On behalf of the Branson Community, and the many, many participants in raising and donating these funds, it’s an honor to be able to help our neighbors in Joplin.”

“We are humbled and thankful for this amazing donation of $159,785.44 to our rebuilding efforts,” said Gary Pulsipher, St John’s Mercy Hospital president / CEO. “As we remain committed to keeping all co-workers on the payroll and to investing more than $950 million to rebuild health services in the community, philanthropic support such as this is crucial to help us sustain the ministry.” Barber noted that “there are some monies yet be donated to the All City Music Choir, after that, any remaining funds and pledged donations that continue to arrive will be donated to St John’s. We hope with those additional dollars that this will be the largest gift to-date.” Donations may still be made on-line at JoplinBenefit.com.

The check presentation took place at a special ceremony today in Joplin at the site of the temporary hospital. In his welcoming comments emcee Danny Thomas (who was instrumental in bringing Branson Cares For Joplin together with St. John’s and the Joplin Schools), KOAM-TV president / general manager and St John’s Mercy Hospital board chairman said, “The results of the Branson Cares telethon provides further proof of both the generosity of the Branson entertainers and businesses as well as their popularity with fans across the country. We can’t thank them enough for sharing their incredible talents and going above and beyond to help the people of Joplin.” Barber said, “The entire Branson community helped make this happen. There are so many people and businesses like RFD-TV, Summer Winds Resort, CenturyLink, Gene Bicknell, The Mansion Theatre, and more that we’d like to thank, and while we can’t name all of them in this press release we do want to continually acknowledge the support of so many. In particular we want to thank all of the generous people who responded to our request to “help Joplin now” by donating money and instruments. From performing on stage at the concert to answering phones in the telethon room to helping to collect the pledges, the one constant that we kept seeing was the big hearts that our visitors from across the country have. Frankly it was an amazing experience for us.”

Donations to the Joplin relief effort may be made to:
Branson Cares Joplin Benefit
c/o The League of Branson Theatre Owners and Show Producers
Post Office Box 5083, Branson, Missouri 65615 or by visiting JoplinBenefit.com

‘Legends in Concert’ extends multi-year pact with

New Owner of Dick Clark’s American Bandstand Theater

BRANSON, MO – (September 21, 2011) – Celebrated tribute artist production ‘Legends in Concert’ announced today that they have signed a multi-year, multi-dimensional agreement with Jim D. Morris, the new owner of the Dick Clark’s American Bandstand Theater. The new relationship will allow one of the most successful shows in Branson history to enjoy many more years at its current home and state of the art venue.

“We are thrilled to be partnering with Jim D. Morris whose name is iconic in the Branson and Springfield communities, and throughout Missouri.” said Jeannie Horton, General Manager for Legends in Concert. “He has a 50 year track record as a distinguished businessman and his name speaks for itself.”

Mr. Morris said he is “excited about the venture and working with the great people who produce Legends in Concert.” He looks forward to completing the re-development of the complex including a new restaurant and other attractions complimenting the Legends in Concert production. Morris added, “Signing a long term agreement to have Legends continue where they have experienced great success will certainly entice other new partners to be a part of this growing complex.”

Dick Clark’s American Bandstand Theater, the ultimate Branson rock and roll complex, was built in 2006 and boasts 900 seats. It’s innovative design creates an intimate concert space with great sight lines to the stage, cushy comfortable seats with generous leg room, a dance floor, spectacular projection screens, and fascinating memorabilia recalling the historic roots of rock n’ roll and country.

“The theater is a perfect fit for our show and we look forward to continuing to produce and provide family-oriented, value-priced, high quality shows in this fabulous entertainment facility,” said Brian Brigner, chief operating officer for “Legends” producer On Stage Entertainment. “We’ve enjoyed 16 wonderful years operating our production in this community and look forward to many, many more.”

Legends in Concert performs 3pm and 8pm shows 6 days a week, February through December. For tickets, information or current line-up, please call 417-339-3003 or visit legendsinconcert.com.

About Legends in Concert

Celebrating its 28th year, “Legends in Concert” is a live musical celebration featuring the world’s greatest celebrity tribute artists. The product is owned and operated by Las Vegas based On Stage Entertainment, Inc. Widely recognized in the entertainment industry as the originalcelebrity tribute show, “Legends in Concert” has not only performed throughout the United States, but the show has traveled to 15 countries on five continents, entertaining more than 15 million fans. It currently operates numerous fixed-based, touring, limited-term and private engagements of “Legends” throughout the world. In addition to Las Vegas, “Legends” is presented year-round in numerous cities including Myrtle Beach, S.C.; Branson, Mo.; Atlantic City, N.J. , Waikiki, HI and on the high seas onboard the Norwegian EPIC. For more information: www.legendsinconcert.com

About Jim D. Morris

Morris Branson Theatre LLC is wholly owned by Jim D. Morris. He continues to own and operates Morris Oil Company in addition to the Quality Inn and Ramada Inn in Branson and other business throughout Missouri. Mr. Morris is recognized for his many community, charitable and humanitarian achievements.

###

Branson comes together to put “Branson” back in the “fun” of the Funseekers

Press Release written by: Gary Groman – Branson Tourism Center

Although all Branson visitors are special, from Sep. 12th through the 15th, Branson will be entertaining a very special group of senior citizens who are at last, thanks to the heart and spirit that is Branson, getting the Branson trip they thought had been stolen from them. Over 50 members of the “Funseekers” will be traveling to Branson on a trip that has been planned since 2008, thought gone because a travel agent in Connecticut took their money and then never fulfilled their trip, which is now possible, at no cost to them, because of the Branson entertainers and businesses that came together to make it happen.

On February 23, 2011, a Connecticut Post article entitled “Travel agent headed to jail for defrauding seniors” told the story of 54 senior citizens who had paid a travel agent over $40,000 for a three night trip to Branson, Missouri in 2008. The story focused on the ultimate conviction of the travel agent who stole the “Funseekers” money and his impending jail sentence.

However, over 1,000 miles away, the owners of Branson Tourism Center picked up on this article and were so touched that they spearheaded a community-wide effort to make this group whole. They contacted the reporter who wrote the article and shared their desire to help, and then rallied the town of Branson to join together and replace their stolen trip for free, saying “Heck, they already paid for it once, they shouldn’t have to pay for it again.”

With the overwhelming response, and thanks to the generous hearts of many in the Branson community, the “Funseekers” will arrive in Branson on September 12 to experience Branson, all expenses paid. As far as practicable, everything on their original itinerary, from airfare, to bus service, lodging, shows and most meals is being provided courtesy of the following which are listed in alphabetical order Andy Williams Moon River Grill, Branson Coach, Branson Tourism Center, the Brett Family Show, Jim Stafford Show, McFarlain’s Restaurant, Shoji Tabuchi Show, the Showboat Branson Belle Dinner Show, the Stone Castle Hotel, the Twelve Irish Tenors and the Yakov Smirnoff Show.

Many who live, work or have visited Branson feel that it is truly a special and different place and situations like this illustrate why. Branson is famous for its live shows, attractions, entertainment, shopping and much more, but at its core it’s about how the spirit of its people and businesses meet the needs of others. Branson’s reaction and response to the call to help the “Funseekers” is but one manifestation of that spirit.

For additional information about the “Funseekers” trip to Branson please contact Annette Wood, Director of Group Sales for the Branson Tourism Center at 1-800-268-4014.