Branson Shows Concert & Telethon for Hurricane Katrina Vicitims

[bgroman]

Branson Stars Set September 18 ‘Branson Cares’ Concert & Telethon to Raise Funds for Hurricane Victims

(Branson, Mo. 9-9-05) “Branson Cares” is the message the Branson community wants to send to victims of Hurricane Katrina – along with relief funds raised by a concert and a telethon set for Sunday, September 18 in the Southwest Missouri town known for live entertainment.

“Our neighbors to the south have shared our hospitality during the good times, and we want them to share our hospitality in the bad times too,” said Ann Stafford, event organizer and co-owner of the Jim Stafford Theatre in Branson. “Branson’s stars want to help with relief efforts and show that Branson cares – we want to reach out with the heart and soul of this community.”

The live concert will be at the Tri-Lakes Center on Hwy. 248, 7 p.m. Sunday, September 18.

Performers include:
Jim Stafford
Andy Williams
Yakov Smirnoff
Mickey Gilley
Ray Stevens
Pam Tillis
Marie Osmond
Moe Bandy
Janet Lennon
Doug Gabriel
The Lennon Sisters
Les Brown Jr.
Merrill Osmond
Baldknobbers Jamboree
New Shanghai Circus
Buck Trent & New South
Ed Ames
Patti Page
Todd Oliver & his Talking Dogs
Carol Lawrence

The show will be broadcast live by Springfield NBC affiliate KY3 from 8-10 p.m. Central Time. The Branson Cares Benefit will be available via satellite for broadcast from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. by stations throughout the Midwest. KY3 has graciously donated the equipment, labor, and the satellite services for this event.

The League of Branson Theater Owners and Show Producers (The League) is producing the Branson Cares Concert Benefit and Telethon. Other Sponsors of the event are KY3 Television, the Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce & CVB, the City of Branson, a variety of area businesses, and numerous volunteers.

KY3, in providing the live broadcast of the show and facilitating the satellite uplink, is making it possible for the telethon to be shown in communities throughout the country, with those station placement efforts currently underway. Stations such as KFJX, the Fox affiliate in Joplin, Missouri, will be airing the program live from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Sunday, September 18. Most recently KNWA-KFTA, the NBC affiliates for the Fayetteville-Ft. Smith, Arkansas area as well as the NBC affiliate in Little Rock Arkansas, KARK, have announced that they will be airing a tape delay of the Branson Cares Telethon from 10:50 to 12:50 PM on Sunday, September 18. Viewers are advised to call their local TV stations to check the schedule to see if their hometown stations are airing the Branson Cares Concert and Telethon.

The famed entertainment town has often used its strong talent pool to show its generosity, having hosted many charitable events. Most notably, Branson pulled together for a national telethon to raise emergency assistance for the Midwestern floods of 1993.

“This community, when it sets its direction to help those in need, exemplifies its solid, Christian backbone. We want our fellow Americans to know Branson cares,” concluded Stafford, who is also the Vice-President of The League and Branson Cares Benefit Chairperson.

All proceeds from the concert and telethon will go to the American Red Cross Greater Ozarks Chapter and the Salvation Army. To purchase tickets to the live concert at the Tri-Lakes Center, 7 p.m. Sunday, September 18, please call 417-336-0219.

Visitors are also encouraged to bring non-perishable food items, socks, underwear, hygiene kits, and toys to the benefit for the Convoy of Hope trucks that will be on site during the Branson Cares Benefit. These items will be sent directly to the disaster area.

Donations to the Branson Cares relief effort may be made to:

Branson Cares
c/o The League of Branson Theatre Owners and Show Producers
Post Office Box 5083
Branson, Missouri 65615

For Immediate Release

[ggh]

This is FANTASTIC!

[Don Baker Sr]

Branson Cares.......Thanks Basil......we are arriving on Sun Nite , Sept 18th anyway, so maybe we can leave a little earlier and make it O.K.....like 4 AM hehe.I called for tickets and got a recording stating they were closed until Mon morn, 9AM...Will try back then Thanks again....db........THE GOOD OLE DAYS ARE RIGHT NOW!

[Suselit]

Wow...This is great!
What a Show Line-up!

[PatiCake101]

That will be some show.....and for a great cause!! Wish that we could stay and see it, but have to be back on Saturday for my grand-daughters 1st birthday.

Great line-up....I'm sure it will be packed, especially for the cause.

[PUMPKIN]

THANKS BASIL, GREAT LINE UP. JUST WISH I WAS COMING UP AND SEE THE SHOW. MAYBE THEY WILL PUT IT ON VHS AND DVD AND SELL THEM TOO. I WOULD BUY ONE.