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The world famous Blackwood
Brothers Quartet guest stars on the Sept. 6 and 7 broadcasts of
the Lucas Oil sponsored "Gene Williams Country Television Show,"
the only weekly television show taking Branson to more than 50
million homes coast-to-coast, border-to-border and Puerto Rico
and Canada.
"It was a delight to have the
Blackwood Brothers Quartet on my show," said Gene Williams the
star, producer and creator of the longest running weekly TV show
in Branson. "I’ve done my show for almost eight years in Branson
and this was the first time I have been able to coordinate the
famous group’s schedule with my show’s taping schedule. This
group was founded in 1934. What an honor to have the group that
has such a history to perform on the stage of the Gene Williams
Theatre. Today James Blackwood’s son, Jimmy (James Jr.)
Blackwood continues the 73-year gospel music tradition with
Wayne Little, Randy Byrd and Brad White."
Williams’ television show is
taped at the Gene Williams Showcase Theatre inside the Branson
Mall on Highway 76 where he also showcases several live shows:
Lookin’ for Love Johnny Lee at 8 p.m. in concert with his
Urban Cowboy Band Monday-Saturday; the Sweethearts of Branson,
Denny Yeary and Shelia Renee, at 2 p.m. Monday-Thursday; "Jeff
Sallee's Classic Country Revue" with a tribute to Buck Owens
with Charlie Wilkins Friday-Saturday at 5 p.m.; the Chicken
House Opry, at 2 p.m. Friday-Saturday; and the first Sunday of
each month at 2 p.m. the USO and Veterans Variety Show Benefit.
Set for Nov. 4-10 in a
combination of 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. shows (Nov. 4-6 and 10 at 10
a.m. and Nov. 7-9 at 2 p.m.) is Danny Curtis’ "Road to Hope."
Part of the proceeds from this special comedy and music
patriotic salute will go to Branson’s Vietnam Veterans of
America Chapter 913 "Veterans of the Global War on Terrorism"
Program.
The next taping of the "Gene
Williams Country Music Television Show" is Sept. 21 at 2 p.m. at
the Gene Williams Theatre. Admission to the taping is free and
the doors open at 1:30 p.m.
For more information go to the
website genewilliamscountry.com or call the box office at the
Gene Williams Showcase Theatre in Branson at 417-335-4400.
Williams began his country
music television show in Arkansas 45 years ago and for the past
seven years has taped the show in Branson live before a studio
audience. His television guests have included Doug Kershaw, Ed
McMahon, Mickey Gilley, the Oak Ridge Boys, Roy Clark, Barbara
Fairchild, Sons of the Pioneers, the Osmonds, Johnny Cash’s band
The Tennessee Three, Helen Cornelius, Leona Williams, Charlie
Louvin, Mary Lou Turner, Cal Smith, Stonewall Jackson, Norma
Jean, "Diamond" Dave Somerville, Little Jimmy Dickens, Porter
Wagoner, Jim Owen, Buck Trent and Wanda Jackson.
Williams’ co-host Katie Lynn
has received the Branson Entertainment Awards Best Support
Vocalist twice for her work in the "Mickey Gilley Show." She has
worked with Gilley for more than eight years and also worked
with Jim Owen for seven years. In addition to her singing
career, she is a real estate agent. She and the guest stars
perform weekly on the television show with the Country Junction
Band.
Along with his television show
and his theater in Branson, Williams’ career is filled with
milestones. He most recently had a road named after him by
his hometown of Dyess, Ark. This followed a 2007 presentation of
the key to the city and a historical marker in appreciation for
his support to help preserve the town’s history. A historical
building there will be used for a museum recognizing the town’s
significance and its former residents, Johnny Cash, Tommy Cash
and Williams.
Williams recently received the
key to the city of Horseshoe Bend, Ark., for his work to bring
significant country entertainment to the resort community during
its early development and April 11, 2009, will be celebrated as
Gene Williams Day.
Williams holds a record in
Arkansas of having nine days proclaimed Gene Williams Day. He
was recognized for his community commitment to the industry and
presented an honorary doctorate degree in television and
broadcast communications from St. Martins College. He has also
been honored by the states of Arkansas and Missouri for his work
in tourism, entertainment and community.
Nominated for induction into
two halls of fame, the Branson Entertainment Hall of Fame Museum
and the Arkansas Entertainers Hall of Fame, Williams was named
Grand Ole Opry DJ of the Year in 1961 and inducted into the
Memphis Music Hall of Fame in 1993. In addition to Cash, he has
worked with such greats as the Carter Family, the Statler
Brothers, Carl Perkins, Charlie Walker, Charlie Louvin, Del
Reeves, Merle Haggard, Ray Price, Minnie Pearl and Jack Greene.
He made two movies: "Country Music Jamboree" and the
"Sound of Country Music" that starred more than 39 Grand Ole
Opry stars. |