John Conlee

Just about anyone who has heard of John Conlee has heard him referred to as the singing mortician. Well it is true that he was a licensed mortician as a young man. We are fortunate that he did not choose that as a career path. After a few unimpressive releases, John hit it big in 1978 with Rose Colored Glasses, which Conlee wrote.

Rose Colored Glasses Video

In 1979 ABC re-released Back Side of Thirty, which this time went to number 1. After that, a string of hits followed including, Lady Lay Down, Before My Time, Friday Night Blues, Miss Emily’s Picture, Busted, the eerie I Don’t Remember Loving You, Common Man, I’m Only In It For The Love, In My Eyes, As Long As I’m Rocking With You, Years After You, Domestic Life, Mama’s Rockin Chair, Hit the Ground Runnin, and Fellow Travelers.

John is a member of the Grand Ole Opry, and performs there regularly, as well as doing some touring.

I feel that John Conlee could easily pack them in for a night time show in Branson.

F. M.

Juice Newton

I purchased Juice Newton’s 1981 breakout album and nearly ran the needle through it...that’s right, it was a vinyl record…..haha I still have that album. When I first became aware of Juice, I referred to her as a hippie singing country.......But she SURE could sing country...........

That album included the hits Angel of the Morning, Queen of Hearts and The Sweetest Thing.

The Sweetest Thing Video

I dedicate this video to my wife, who IS the sweetest thing I have ever known!!!!!..I love you.

Juice had many more hits throughout the ‘80’s including Break It To Me Gently, Love’s Been a Little Bit Hard On Me, and Tell Me True.

While researching for this article on Juice, I was reminded again how powerful and captivating her voice can be. She pours her heart and soul into every song.

Juice Newton remains a top performer on stage, and also has continued her recording career. Recently, she has been touring with Pam Tillis who has spent quite a bit of time in Branson, and is scheduled to return in 2008. Maybe Pam will tell Juice what a great place Branson is and we will be seeing her real soon.

F. M.

Branson Weather

As a service to my readers, I am now offering a one touch way to check the weather in Branson from the most trusted source The Weather Channel. With one click of the mouse, you will be able to check the current weather as well as the forecast, traffic reports and much more.

Joe Diffie

BREAKING NEWS—It was announced in November 2007 that Joe Diffie will be performing at the Yakov theater in the fall of 2008. He said he wants to spend more time with his family and he felt that Branson is the perfect location to do that and still be able to perform….. Joe may very well be the hottest star ever to perform full time in Branson. We say “Welcome to Branson”.

Prop Me Up Beside the Jukebox Video

After finding some success as a songwriter, Joe Diffie found hits singing such songs as Home, If You Want Me To, If The Devil Danced In Empty Pockets, and New Way To Light Up An Old Flame.

Then he began to show a different side with such hits as Pick-up Man, John Deere Green , Third Rock From The Sun , Bigger Than The Beatles and Prop Me Up Beside The Jukebox (If I Die). He also had a major hit with George Jones called I Don't Need Your Rocking Chair.


Joe is currently on the Rockin' Roadhouse Tour with Aaron Tippin and Mark Chestnut.
Branson is waiting for the likes of Joe Diffie.




F. M.

Kentucky HeadHunters

The Kentucky Headhunters were one of those groups that spent over 20 years becoming an over night success.

Forming in 1968, it wasn’t until 1990 that they had their first national hit with Dumas Walker, which reached number 15. That was followed by Oh, Lonesome Me, which reached number 8. The band picked up CMA Awards in 1990 and 1991 for vocal group.

The band began to go through transitions and have had trouble gaining traction on the charts ever since.

Dumas Walker Video

Their long hair and odd name do not fit into the traditional country mold.

However, they do have a following and I believe they would be a hit in Branson, even if they were more of an afternoon act instead of a night time headliner.

F. M.

Steve Wariner

Steve began his career by playing guitar for Dottie West at age 17.


I was privileged to see Steve Wariner as his career was taking off in 1981 at a venue called Duke’s Country (the same place that Ronnie Dunn cut his teeth as the house band for several years) in Tulsa, OK. I knew then he was destined for great things. A year later, he was setting atop the charts with All Roads Lead To You.

In the late ‘90s, Steve was once again making a name for himself as a song writer penning such hits as Longneck Bottle (which he sung as a duet with Garth Brooks) and Nothin’ But the Taillights with Clint Black.

Life's Highway Video

Wariner then signed with Capitol Records and offered Holes in the Floor of Heaven, which won the CMA single and song of the year in 1998. A collaboration with Asleep at the Wheel brought Wariner his second Grammy in 1999.


Steve joined the Grand Ole Opry in 1996.

I say Steve should pack up and move a few hundred miles northwest and open a theater in Branson and let thousands of old and new fans enjoy his music live.


F. M.

Captain & Tennille

I know, I know, the Captain and Tennille are not classic country artists. However, neither are Andy Williams, Tony Orlando, Wayne Newton or Yakov Smirnoff, but these stars have had very successful theaters in Branson. Besides, I just happen to like them…..

Toni and Daryl released their first album in 1974 and stardom quickly followed, taking top honors at the 1975 Grammy Awards by winning Record of the Year for Love Will Keep Us Together, which was also a comeback of sorts for Neil Sedaka.

Love Will Keep Us Together Video

Captain & Tennille recorded numerous follow-up, hit singles including: Muskrat Love, Shop Around, The Way I Want To Touch You, You’ve Never Done It Like That, Do That To Me One More Time, and Come In From The Rain. In 1976, the duo landed their own weekly variety television series on ABC, “The Captain & Tennille Show,” which I thought was very entertaining.

Although they have not had a hit in nearly 3 decades, they continue to tour and do special performances. I say they need to head that tour bus to Branson, MO and park it at a theater and stay a while.

F. M.

Barbara Mandrell

I believe that Barbara Mandrell is truly one of the queens of country music. While experiencing most of her success in the ‘70s and ‘80s, she is still a fan favorite and a big draw at concerts.

She is probably best known for her #1 hit, I Was Country When Country Wasn't Cool, but also had several other chart toppers including Sleeping Single in a Double Bed and (If Loving You Is Wrong) I Don't Want to Be Right.

She also found success with her own variety show which also featured her sisters, Louise and Irlene.

In 1984, Barbara nearly lost her life in a head on auto accident that also involved her 2 children. After a year long recovery, she resumed her career.

I Was Country When Country Wasn't Cool Video

I attended one of Barbara’s concerts with Lee Greenwood in the early ‘80s and was thoroughly entertained. Also, on a side note, one of her other big hits, You Can Eat Crackers In My Bed, is a song that my best friend Arnold still thinks he should receive royalties from(an inside joke).

Barbara would be sure to pack them in to her own theater in Branson every time the doors opened. Come on Barbara, do us all a favor and move to Branson !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

F. M.

Marie Osmond

My first knowledge that the Osmond family included a girl was in 1973 when Marie recorded the number one hit Paper Roses. It was such a hit with me that I chose it as my favorite song in my senior spotlight in 1977. I am not sure if it was the song or the singer that made the most impression on me……….haha

Paper Roses Video

In 1976 “The Donnie and Marie Show” debuted and lasted until 1981. This show made her a major star, not only in music but also on T.V. Also, it led to several acting roles on stage and in several T. V. movies.




In 1985, Marie was back on the top of the charts. There’s No Stopping Your Heart, which featured two #1 country hits: the title track and Meet Me In Montana, (a duet with Dan Seals which won the Country Music Association’s Vocal Duo of the Year award). I Only Wanted You (1986) earned her a CMA Vocal Duo of the Year nomination this time with Paul Davis for the #1 country hit “You’re Still New to Me.”

More recently Marie has produced a popular doll collection. She has also made big waves with her “Dancing with the Stars” performances, where she finished 3rd (I actually thought Jennie Garth should have filled the 3rd spot). Marie is now on tour with her brothers, and will be a part of the “Dancing with the Stars” tour. Also, she may be reuniting with brother Donnie for a Las Vegas show (why not in Branson???).

Marie’s brothers had a theater in Branson for years, and Jimmy tapes some shows for PBS from Branson.

I feel that Marie would be a big hit in Branson, especially if she teamed up with Dan Seals once again. She could now include some of those dance moves in her show………….

F. M.

Gene Watson

My first recollection of Gene Watson was in 1974 when he released the edgy Love in the Hot Afternoon. This was a song that had been rejected by many established artist because of its steamy overtones, but Gene took a risk and it paid off many times over.

Love in the Hot Afternoon Video

Gene followed up with such hits as Farewell Party (my personal favorite), Should I Come Home (Or Should I Go Crazy), Paper Rosie, and Nothing Sure Looked Good on You. It wasn’t until 1982 that he recorded his only number 1 hit, Fourteen Carat Mind.

In the ‘80s, Gene also had top 10 hits such as, Speak Softly (You’re Talking to My Heart), and You’re Out Doing What I’m Here Doing Without.

Gene has recorded several albums and CDs since, and tours occasionally.

I feel Gene Watson would be a perfect fit in Branson. With his pure country voice, and a string of hits, he would be sure to fill his own theater over and over again.

F.M.

Howdy

Hi, my name is Family Man, and I love everything Branson.

Branson is known for having more theater seating than Broadway. These theaters are the home of some of the biggest names in country music from days gone by.

Branson is also famous for Silver Dollar City (my family's favorite place to visit), which was actually the biggest draw in the Ozarks before the stars starting moving to Branson.



Other than an occasional visit to The Grand Palace, you don’t expect to see current stars such as George Strait, Carrie Underwood, Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Shania Twain, Garth Brooks, Kenny Chesney, Blake Shelton, Toby Keith, Brooks and Dunn, Josh Turner, Rascal Flatts, or many of the other big name stars.

I will write about all the stars that would be perfect to have their own theater in Branson. Big name stars that perhaps have not had a hit song in a while, but have a great fan base, many of whom never saw these stars on tour.

Also, I will occasionally highlight current Branson shows.

So check back often. I am sure if you are a fan of classic country, you will find many names you will recognize, and many that you have forgotten about. If you want to read about someone that I have not written about yet, drop me a line and I will add them.