Synopses & Reviews
Branson, Missouri, a tiny town buried deep in the Ozark Mountains, has become the live entertainment capital of the United States. More than 5 million fans have flocked to its thrity huge celebrity theaters annually to see the likes of Andy Williams, Bobby Vinton, Barbara Mandrell, and the Lennon Sisters.
In the first book to capture the magic and excitement of the Branson experience, renowned photographer Henry Horenstein documents the town, the stars, the theaters, and the fans (as well as their tour buses!) in glorious color photographs.
An entertainment mecca that rivals Las Vegas and Disney World in number of visitors annually, Branson happened because of a couple of old guitar pickers like Boxcar Willie and Roy Clark got tired of the grind of the road and set up shop in this beautiful but sleepy neck of the woods. Other acts, finding it too expensive to tour--even if the audience was there to support them--followed suit. Like magic, legions of fans in cars, RVs, and tour buses started to appear.
The future looks even brighter: An expected 9 million people will pack up the family, from Grandma to the kids, and head to Branson for some wholesome entertainment the way many Americans remember it. Why not join them in Branson, MO?
Synopsis
In the first book to capture the magic of the Branson experience, renowned photographer Henry Horenstein documents the stars, theaters, town, and fans (along with their buses!) in glorious color photographs and enlightening text and captions.
Branson, Missouri, a tiny town buried deep in the Ozark Mountains, has become the live entertainment capital of the United States. Last year alone, more than 5 million fans flocked to Branson's thirty huge celebrity theaters built by performers such as Andy Williams, Johnny Cash, and Conway Twitty.
Second only to Disney World in number of visitors annually, Branson happened because a couple of old guitar pickers like Box Car Willie and Roy Clark got tired of the grind of the road and set up shop in this beautiful but sleepy neck of the woods. Other acts, finding it too expensive to tour (even if the audience was there to support them), followed suit. Like magic, legions of fans in cars, RVs, and tour buses started to appear.
An expected 9 million people will pack up Grandma and the kiddies and head to Branson this year for some wholesome entertainment the way many Americans remember it.
About the Author
Journalist Alanna Nash has written extensively on country music and popular culture. She lives in Louisville, Kentucky.Henry Horenstein is a photographer, author, and teacher. He has written and illustrated more than twenty books for adults and children, including the classic texts Black and White Photography, Beyond Basic Photography, and Color Photography, as well as the photo-essay Racing Days. He teaches photography and illustration at the Rhode Island School of Design and lives in Boston.The singing Lennon Sisters of Lawrence Welk fame live and work in Branson, MO.
Table of Contents
Foreword by the Lennon Sisters
Introduction by Alanna Nash
The Town
The Theaters
The Headlines
The Fans
The Shows
The Other Branson