Wins Three 2007 National Telly Awards

Gene Williams wins 3 Telly Awards
for country music television show

     The “Gene Williams Country Television Show,” that is sponsored by Lucas Oil Products and has been taped live in Branson for the past six years, has been awarded three bronze Telly Awards for 2007. Williams’ show took top honors in the entertainment, best use of music and best use of graphics categories.
     The 28th Annual Telly Awards received entries from all 50 states and five continents. Since 1978 the Telly Awards have honored the very best local, regional, and cable television commercials and programs, as well as the finest video and film productions. It is one of the most sought-after awards by industry leaders, from large international firms to local production companies and ad agencies. Judges are top advertising and production professionals.
     Williams is among past Telly winners for excellence in country music. Industry professional who have won Tellys include CNN, American Movie Classics, Bass Pro Shops, FX Networks, Starz Entertainment Group, TV Guide Networks-Creative, Christian Broadcasting Network, GEICO, Comedy Central, Discovery Education, Disneyland Resort, ESPN Classic, Nickelodeon, Nike Inc. and Turner Classic Movies.
     “I share these awards with my excellent crew and staff - my co-host Katie Lynn, my band the Country Junction Boys, KY3 Production, Linda and Carl Ward of PR Pro, my announcer Ed McMahon, sidekick Gary Heidrick and his dog Tuffy, my wonderful sponsor Lucas Oil Products and most importantly my son Glen Williams, the show’s executive producer,” said Williams who created, stars and produces the television show that takes Branson to more than 23 million households across the nation and into Canada and Puerto Rico.
     Telly Awards are not the only awards the “Gene Williams Show” has garnered. It was listed in 2006 as the most popular television show in national ratings on WNGS Buffalo/Rochester, N.Y., as a favorite TV show in the March, 2006, issue of the national magazine, “Maxim” and as one of WB’s top rated television shows.
     In the six years of taping in Branson, Williams has interviewed an impressive list of guest stars. They include Mickey Gilley, Doug Kershaw, Ed McMahon, the Oak Ridge Boys, Roy Clark, Barbara Fairchild, Sons of the Pioneers, the Osmonds including Jimmy Osmond, Johnny Cash’s band The Tennessee Three, Helen Cornelius, Leona Williams, Bob Anderson, Fred Travalena, Charlie Louvin, Narvel Felts, Margo Smith, Mary Lou Turner, Cal Smith, Stonewall Jackson, Norma Jean, Little Jimmy Dickens, Bill Anderson, Porter Wagoner, Jim Owen, Buck Trent, the Duttons, Johnny Lee, the Haygoods, Gary P. Nunn, Todd Fritch and Razzy Bailey.
     Williams is credited with having the largest syndicated country music television show not affiliated with Nashville and with breaking ground for country television. His television career led to the making of his motion pictures, Sound of Country Music and Country Music Jamboree. A radio personality first, he is an inductee to the Memphis Music Hall of Fame and a Grand Ole Opry DJ of the Year. During his impressive career, Williams has also worked with such greats as Johnny Cash, the Carter Family, the Statler Brothers, Carl Perkins, Charlie Walker, Charlie Louvin, Del Reeves, Merle Haggard, Ray Price, Minnie Pearl and Jack Greene.
     Among Williams’ achievements are receiving an honorary doctorate St. Martins College in Milwaukee, Wis., in television and broadcast communications in recognition of his community commitment to the industry and being honored for his contributions to the tourism industry by the Missouri Senate and the State of Arkansas. He holds a record in Arkansas of having nine days proclaimed Gene Williams Day (1964 Orval Faubus, 1968 Win Rockefeller, 1973 and 1974 Dale Bumpers, Williams’ friend former President Bill Clinton three times, Jim Guy Tucker once and Mike Huckabee, now presidential candidate, once).
     Most recently, Williams was honored by his hometown of Dyess, Ark., where he grew up down the road from Johnny Cash. In 2006 was recognized with a historical marker in his hometown along with Johnny Cash. This year Williams has been instrumental in saving the historical administration building that is to be named the Gene Williams Building that will house the Dyess Colony Museum, Johnny Cash Memorial Project and the Gene Williams Museum and Tommy Cash Museum.
     Williams has also been helpful in organizing Dyes Memorial Day entertainment on July 7, a fund raiser for the Administration Building project. Headlining the entertainment are Mickey Gilley and the Urban Cowboy Band, Johnny Cash impersonator Jackson Cash, Katie Lynn and the Country Junction Boys. For more information go the dyessday.com.
     The next taping of the “Gene Williams Country Music Television Show” is Sunday, May 20, at the Branson Showcase Theater inside the Branson Mall. Jody Miller of the Grand Ladies and the Grand Ole Opry, Mickey Gilley and the Urban Cowboy Band, singing impressionist Mike Walker and Johnny Cash impersonator Jackson Cash are scheduled. Guests for the June 10 taping are Jean Shepard, Norma Jean and the Baldknobbers.