The stars will come out in Branson when the “Quackers Take Branson!”
Jeanne Bice invites you to join her at three great shows in Branson.
Click On The Show or Event of your Choice!
50'S AT THE HOP
LEE GREENWOOD
THE BELLAMY BROTHERS
SHOWSTOPPERS ABOARD THE SHOWBOAT BRANSON BELLE
QUACKER FACTORY EVENTS
50’s At The Hop
A WOP BOP A LOO BOP A WOP BAM BOO…Are you Searching for FUN?
That’s a hint of the music you are going to hear from the fabulous ‘50s era when you BE-BOP over the ‘50s At The Hop Theatre and Show where the music is FUN, the sound is righteous and the action never stops!
50s At The Hop® Show is the place to be when visiting Branson. This award winning show is packed with such atomic energy from the opening medley to the closing finale it will make your hair stand on end! It’s true…it can happen! You’ll see why ‘50s At The Hop® Show and the music of the ‘50s have proven to be a magical era and continue to bring back the smiles of yesteryear once the music begins!
This rock-n-roll review show takes you on two solid hours of “oldies but goodies” where every performer is a star. You will hear the dynamic vocals of the Dreamdates and beautiful Hoppettes as they perform hit after hit bringing back that warm and fuzzy feeling of nostalgia. Beginning with songs from Buddy Holly, Little Richard, The Shirelles, Connie Francis, and The Big Bopper….you might catch yourself beginning to snap your fingers and sing along to “Get A Job….Sha na na na na na na boom boom…” and then followed by giggles! This era of music is fun and is enjoyed by all ages.
During this smoothly produced and choreographed show, the beautiful Hoppettes, the Dreamdates, and the Rockin’ HOP Band will get down to the legendary sounds of the early roots of rock-n-roll where it began. They will take you back to the early ‘50s and early ‘60s including the Beach Boys, Motown, Elvis and you will enjoy the amazing tight harmonies of doo-wop! The Dreamdates not only have incredible voices and dynamic good looks, but they will have you laughing in the aisles with some of their antics. The adorable
Hoppettes capture your hearts as their ponytails bounce, their poodle skirts whirl and they be-bop in their saddle shoes at ‘50s At The Hop® Show. The Hoppettes have been bringing down the house during their legendary “Rebel” medley as some lucky member of the audience is selected to participate in this great Kodak moment!
Few artists have ever written a song that has become more a part of America’s cultural landscape than Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless the USA.” If he’d never written or recorded another hit, Greenwood would have secured his place in music history with that powerful inspiring ballad.
“God Bless the USA” has been voted the most recognizable patriotic song in America, taking the top honor over “God Bless America” and the “National Anthem,” but it is only one of the many hits that have propelled Greenwood’s successful career. With his distinctive voice, insightful songwriting and unparalleled showmanship, Greenwood has been captivating audiences for decades.
Along the way, he has won numerous accolades including two Male Vocalist of the Year awards from the Country Music Association and the CMA Song of the Year honor in 1985 for “God Bless the USA.” He has won the Top Male Vocal Performance in 1983 for “I.O.U.” His lengthy string of hits includes such classics as “Ring on Her Finger, Time on Her Hands,” “It Turns Me Inside Out,” “Somebody’s Gonna Love You,” “I Don’t Mind the Thorns (If You’re the Rose)” and “Dixie Road.”
Never one to rest, Greenwood continues to write and record with the same passion and integrity that has always fueled his stellar career. “I want my family to see what I do and not just what I did,” he says of sharing his passion for music with his wife Kim and their two sons, Dalton and Parker. “ I like the artistry of it. I could have been a carpenter or a farmer, but I love the spirit of music. That love still flows and I’m writing much more than I have in previous years. I want to create something new.”
That creative spark began early in Greenwood’s life. He grew up on a farm near Sacramento, California and in between doing the hard work required on a working farm; Lee developed his musical skills. He began playing the saxophone at seven and by the time he was 14, he could play nearly all the instruments in the school orchestra. While still in junior high school, he launched his first band, the Moonbeams.
Greenwood became a working musician at a young age and was very focused on his career. He passed on a music/track scholarship to the College of the Pacific and a shot at a professional baseball career to pursue his musical ambitions. He even skipped his high school graduation ceremony because he had a show to play at the Golden Hotel & Casino in Reno, Nevada. “I needed to put my next foot forward,” says Greenwood with a smile. “ So I skipped graduation and headed for Nevada.”
Like all young musicians, Greenwood was faced with a series of decisions that would significantly shape his career. He met a keyboard player named Felix Cavaliere at the Desert Inn Hotel in Las Vegas where they were both working in the lounge. Lee joined the show group and went to Puerto Rico for a month with a promise to appear on the Ed Sullivan Show. The show fell through and Lee ended up living for a while at the drummer’s apartment in Hoboken, New Jersey. His name was Dino Dinelli. Felix and Dino approached Lee about joining them in forming a band to work in New York. However, Lee decided to return to Nevada. The group they would form became the Young Rascals who went on the record the hit “Good Lovin” and enjoy a successful run at the top of the charts. But Greenwood never regretted his decision. “I didn’t want to be part of a band…I always wanted to have a solo career.”
Early on, Greenwood lived in Los Angeles and recorded for Paramount Records, but admits those were lean years. Tired of struggling, he opted for the bright lights of Las Vegas where he became one of the most popular entertainers on the competitive casino circuit. There he honed his live performance skills and developed his craft as a songwriter. Famed country music manager Larry McFaden discovered Greenwood and brought him to the attention of MCA Records Nashville where he teamed with acclaimed producer Jerry Crutchfield to record his groundbreaking country debut album, “ Inside Out.”
Years of performing in Vegas taught Greenwood how to connect with an audience and his ear for a great song combined with his distinctive voice gave him an edge at country radio. He soon became one of the format’s biggest stars serving up such hits as “It Turns Me Inside Out,” “Ain’t No Trick,” “She’s Lying,” “Hearts Aren’t Made to Break (They’re Made to Love),” “You’ve Got a Good Love Comin” and “Going, Going, Gone.”
“I think my choice of material has been an asset to my career. People recognize that I choose songs that have quality and are not cheap shots,” says Greenwood. “ I always record songs that have more depth in the lyric. I’m just not the kind of guy to sing something cute. I’m a songwriter and I go for depth. Maybe that’s what has made me have a lasting career.”
Lee met a young Nashville girl who was in college at the University of Tennessee, Chattanooga. She was also Miss Tennessee USA 1989. On Lee’s USO/DOD tour that year they fell in love and were married in Nashville in 1992.
After more than a dozen years of relentless touring, Greenwood made the decision to scale back and spend more time with his family. Their son, Dalton was born in April 1995 and the following year the veteran performer opened the Lee Greenwood Theater in Sevierville, Tennessee, a booming tourist town in the Smoky Mountains. Boasting state-of-the-art sound and lighting, the theater provided Greenwood an opportunity to indulge his passion for performing yet remain in one place and spend time with his family. (Second son, Parker, was born in 1998.)
“We had a two and a half hour performance that was like a Broadway show with dancers, singers, costumes, lights and a full band,” says Greenwood. “It was everything you would see in New York and we did 220 shows a year.”
After five years, Greenwood decided to leave the Smoky Mountains and resume touring nationally. He continued to be in constant demand, particularly after the terrorist attacks of September 11 when the nation once again embraced “God Bless the USA” as part of the healing process.
Greenwood admits when he first wrote the song, he had no idea how much it would impact people. “One of the reasons I wrote the lyric ‘I’m proud to be an American,’ is I really wanted to instill the pride back in America. The song represents my family, my community and all the Americans who are proud of who they are.”
As proud as he is of “God Bless the USA,” Greenwood is an artist who prefers to look forward not back, and these days he’s most excited about two new recording projects. He’s currently finished an album of pop standards entitled "Proven"
It contains such hits as the Ray Charles’ classic “I’m Busted” and Cyndi Lauper’s “Time After Time.” This album will soon be available on the web site.
Greenwood is also working on a new country album. “This is more than a come back album, this is more like a reinstatement of my talent,” he says. “Even at this age, I can still do this effectively and this will be an album for all generations. I’m hoping to discover a new legion of fans that buy the music that Keith Urban, Toby Keith, Brooks & Dunn and Martina McBride are recording. I intend on being competitive. That’s the only way you’ll get on radio and the charts.”
Competitive and driven as an entertainer, Lee Greenwood is also a loving family man and a savvy businessman who has learned to effectively balance all facets of his busy life. And yes, he could sit back and enjoy the success of his career but that’s not Lee Greenwood. He’s always moving forward, ready to conquer the next challenge.
“I’m not easily defeated,” he says sitting in his Music Row office, wearing a smile and an air of determination. “I’ve been at the bottom and I know I don’t like it there. I prefer to be successful. I prefer to be resourceful and in pursuit of excellence and in pursuit of something I have a passion for. I’ve been a musician and a singer since I was seven years old. It’s always something that brought me joy and because I have joy in my heart for doing it, I spread the joy to other people. Whether I made $100 a week or $50,000 a night, it doesn’t really make a difference to me as long as I’ve made the audience happy. I sing for the joy of it.”
Howard and David continue to prove that the trail they’ve ridden to fame has been as unique as their music itself—music that is now celebrating 30 years of success.
The road that started on the pop music charts in the ‘70’s, took a winding turn into country music in the ‘80’s, paving the way for duos to come, such as Brooks & Dunn, Montgomery Gentry, Big & Rich, and previously—The Judds. But before the road forked into country, the musical odyssey of brothers Bellamy started creatively smoldering in their home state of Florida, before exploding nationally amidst the ’70’s pop music culture of L.A.
The brothers first official gig was in 1968, playing a free show with their father at the Rattlesnake Roundup in San Antonio, Florida. They honed their early skills playing black clubs throughout the south, and singing backup for artists such as Percy Sledge, Eddie Floyd, and Little Anthony & The Imperials. Within a few months, the brothers moved north, immersing themselves and their rock/country sound in the Atlanta market, where the Allman Brothers were the emerging kings of the music world.
With the dawning of the Age of Aquarius on the horizon, and America embroiled in a smoke haze of drugs, civil unrest and an unpopular war, The Bellamy's music picked-up the hard driving edge that bespoke the times. Songwriting had become David Bellamy’s drug of choice during the long road gigs he and Howard were regularly pulling bodies and equipment to and from. It was his songwriting that was posed to soon provide the duo a national breakout.
The break came in the form of the hit, “Spiders & Snakes,” written by David and recorded by Jim Stafford. The song became a smash, eventually selling more than three million units worldwide. It became the catapult that rocketed the brother onto the L.A. music scene. Young and impressionable, Howard and David fell into the musical circle of the greats of the day: Bob Dylan, James Taylor, and Van Morrison, as well as West Coast based country rockers like Poco and the Byrds.
Now known by their music and the company they were keeping, The Bellamys officially lifted off the launch pad in 1976 when their single, “Let Your Love Flow,” became an instant smash in both the U.S. and Europe. It stayed on the international charts long enough to build a huge international fan base for the hip young brothers that endures to this day. In Germany alone it perched at #1 for more than two months. The love was indeed flowing as The Bellamys jammed for audiences on their sold-out concerts and shared stages with the likes of Loggins & Messina, the Doobie Brothers, and the Beach Boys., with their patented blend of rock/country music.
True to their musical roots, their style and their songwriting was moving steadily more towards their raising. By the late ‘70’s The Bellamys were emerging on the country charts with another bona fide smash. “If I Said You Had A Beautiful Body (Would You Hold It Against Me),” originally scrawled on a dinner napkin by David, rocketed them to the top of the country charts the way “Let Your Love Flow,” had done in the pop market just a few years earlier. It proved to be the first of a string of fourteen #1 singles in the U.S. alone.
Success followed success: “Dancing Cowboys,” “Sugar Daddy,” “You Ain’t Just Whistlin’ Dixie,” “Lovers Live Longer,” “Do You Love As Good As You Look,” “Redneck Girl,” “For All The Wrong Reasons,” “I Love Her Mind,” “I Need More Of You,” “Old Hippie,” “Too Much Is Not Enough,” “Kids Of The Baby Boom,” and “Reggae Cowboy” and “Crazy From The Heart,”…all have lined the corridors of the Bellamy’s musical history and their walls with platinum and gold.
Along the way, Howard and David created a patent on the newly cool “duo” category in country music. In the era of the 2000’s, The Bellamy Brothers hold the record in both the Academy of Country Music (ACM) and the Country Music Association Awards (CMA) for the most duo nominations. Numerous Grammy nods have also been directed toward the brothers.
Internationally, the story has been the same—though the titles may be different. The Bellamys have released more than two-dozen hit songs outside the U.S. that were never released here.
With a sharp eye on the songwriting skills that have been the bedrock of their success, Howard and David concur that their career is unique in their international finesse for matching their songs to the market.
“For the international releases, you have to have a strong melody,” notes David. “The lyric is very important, but internationally the melody is something fans can lock into, even if they can’t understand the lyrics.” Howard and David continue to perform and film TV specials in Europe and around the world.
These days when the subject turns to touring, The Bellamys are showing a new generation of country music how it’s done. “We’re old road dogs,” grins Howard when asked about the motivation behind the brothers 200 plus concert dates each year. Adds David: “Our live draw is bigger than it was in the ‘80’s. I think the same people that grew up with us and with our music in the ‘60’s and ‘70’s obviously have raised a whole new generation of Bellamy fans who started toddling to our music. Now they’re turning up at our concerts as college kids, who are really turned on and tuned in to us and our music….it’s a great feeling.”
On the infrequent off days from the road, Howard and David head the bus back to their 150-acre family ranch in Darby, Florida just north of Tampa. A working ranch, the spread consists of Purebred Charlois cattle and quarter horses. Amid a land lush with fruit trees, ancient oaks and crepe myrtles, three generation of the Bellamy family, headed by David and Howard’s mother, Frances, populate the homes clustered in the family compound.
David and Howard’s latest effort has been the corroboration with thirty or more guest artists from all genres of music recording their vocals on over twenty of the Bellamy’s greatest hits plus three new selections. The release of “Angels & Outlaws - Volume One” (Curb/Bellamy Brothers Records) features such songs and artists as “You Ain’t Just Whistlin’ Dixie” with Alan Jackson; “Old Hippie” with Montgomery Gentry; and “If I Said You Had a Beautiful Body” with none other than Ms. Dolly Parton (whose interpretation makes it sound new all over again). Cuts from Volume One have charted here as well as in Europe. (As reported, “The Bellamy Brothers Country Music Duo makes history by scoring the Top 3 Slots on Europe’s Hotdisc Chart.”) Willie Nelson, George Jones, Tanya Tucker and many more also contributed their talents to this CD proving these hits from the past still resonate today. Once again, The Bellamy’s “Let Their Hits Flow.” Stay tuned for Volume II and another 30 years.
And finally, we will be taking like “ducks to the water” on Branson’s Table Rock Lake on board the beautiful Showboat Branson Belle, as we paddle past the lush Ozark Mountains and enjoy a terrific dinner cruise featuring Showstoppers, a variety show showcasing over thirty award winning numbers.
Showboat Branson Belle's tremendously talented cast of emcees, singers and dancers, adagio artist and comedians will bring you one show-stopping performance celebrating memorable moments in music that have changed the face of entertainment forever!
Russian Acrobat Andrei Soumiatin performed with the Moscow Circus for nine years and specializes in European style clowning, performing in and directing comedy production in Russia. Russian ballerina Marina Bolkchakova began training with the Bolshoi Ballet School at age 11 and toured with them for eight years, performing around the world. After marrying, the gifted duo combined their talents resulting in their own brand of stunning adagio dance. The Paddlewheel Ramblers transport you to those grand old Showboatin' days with elaborate song and dance numbers.
A favorite on the Showboat, nationally acclaimed comedian and ventriloquist Todd Oliver (pictured above) has appeared on television shows including Walker Texas Ranger, The Howie Mandel Show, David Letterman, Penn & Teller Las Vegas Spectacular and twice on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. His unique brand of comedy has been featured in brilliant performances around the world, with a cast of lively characters including talking dogs - Lucy, Irving and newcomer Elvis.
During this amazing vacation you will have the opportunity to attend some fun gatherings and exclusive events! The following is a listing of scheduled events:
- Meet the Head Quack in Person
- Quacker Treasure Hunt
- Everything Quacker Factory
- Behind the Scenes, with Jeanne, Lee and Tim Bice!
- Pajama Breakfast
- Fashion Show
- Sock Hop Costume Night
- Southern Belle aboard the Belle Costumes are optional!
More information will be announced later this year on the events that Quacker Factory will present.
Please note: All Quacker Factory events listed for this vacation in Branson are exclusive and must be booked though Quacker Vacations and Cruise Everything. All guests will be required to wear a provided name badge to enter each event, show, meal or function. Please accept our apology, but we cannot accommodate any guests outside our group due to capacity limitations at events and shows.
