BRANSON
BROTHERS Christmas Show
Review
by Nancy Smith
Branson Daily Independent,
12-10-2006
TALENTED SINGERS, COMEDIANS, MUSICIANS MAKE BRANSON BROTHERS A SHOW TO SEE
The
Branson Brothers Show at the Bart Rockett Theater has it all:
tremendous talent abounding throughout the singers, band, and comedians,
put together in a very entertaining package for audiences of all ages to
enjoy.
Making up a trio of fabulous harmonizing voices are Jimmy Ponder, Dee Allen and Andre Sheperd, all stars in their own right.
Ponder, a North Carolina native, is the son of a Baptist minister and school teacher who planted the seed of music in their son. After starting his own gospel group, the Tennessee Valley Boys, at the young age of 17, Ponder moved the group to Branson in 1985 and has been performing in the area ever since. Since then, Ponder has been instrumental in starting the groups Pierce Arrow and New South, and now has brought back his Branson Brothers group with new personnel for our enjoyment.
Dee Allen is from Nashville, the son of Duane Allen (a member of the popular Oak Ridge Boys) and Norah Lee (member of the Carol Lee Singers, the backup group at the Grand Ole Opry). Allen himself sang with the Oaks for a short time, and with his own rock band, Tall Dark Stranger. Allen has been performing in Branson for four years.
In 1992, Sheperd, from St. Louis, sang with a group called Lo-Key which had a number one single on the Billboard charts, "I Got a Thang For You." He is also a songwriter, with credits on the popular movie A Shark's Tale, and was nominated this year (his second in Branson) for Vocalist of the Year.
During the show, the Branson Brothers
sing country, gospel, pop, R&B, and in this season, a few Christmas songs.
It doesn't matter what they sing, the group meshes together into a
great sound. It doesn't hurt to have one of the best bands in the area
(David Creech on lead guitar, Gene Mulvaney on steel guitar, Scott Lancaster
on bass, Gene Reasoner on keys, and Brad Allen on drums), and the help of
terrific singer,Diana Ponder (Jimmy's wife), who has been singing in Branson
since age 17 (Presley's Jubilee, Branson City Lights, Moe Bandy, Memory
Makers, 76 Country USA, and Grand Jubilee). Diana's daughter, Natalie
Nicole, also does a great job in the show, has a great voice, and shows her
lighter side in some comedy skits. Just about to give birth to a second
child, Natalie is coninuing to perform with the group, singing and dancing
like always.
Last, but definitely not least, are the comedic antics of not one, but two of Branson's funniest comedians, Homer Lee and Harley Worthit. Although the two comedians have different styles, together they go "over the top" with their skits, and definitely hit a comedy home run! Terry Sanders, as Homer Lee (2005 and 2006 Comedian of the Year ), and Perry Edenburn, as Harley Worthit (actually a financial advisor in his off time), begin the entertainment for the show by taking you to your seat in character, joking with audience members all the way down the aisle. During costume changes, they come out either solo or as a pair, and produce some of the best comedy you will ever see. Be careful though, you have to pay attention or you might miss something, and you don't want to do that!
The Branson Brothers Show will be performing through Dec. 23, and will be back for Hot Winter Fun, beginninng again on Feb. 16, 2007, and with them will be seven-time Brnason Vocalist of the Year, Doug Gabriel.
