How Did Live Entertainment Begin In Branson?
How did Live Entertainment Began in Branson?
The city of Branson didn't start to become a popular international destination for great music. But in the year 1967, entertainment venues keep popping up. The two dams were created out from the White River and historic Marvel Cave. They are among the beautiful natural locations that many visitors want to step beyond the music halls and into the greater Branson area.
Besides Branson's unrivaled reputation as "The Live Entertainment Capital of the World," the city became famous more than a century ago that started with a cave and a book called "The Shepherd of the Hills," written by Harold Bell Wright.
Branson is currently visited by seven million people who want to glimpse the more than 45 theaters and 80 shows, world-class water sports adventure, and many exciting attractions. Aside from enjoying live entertainment shows, many of Branson's visitors can't wait to visit Branson Jet Boats where they can experience a thrilling ride with a Jet Boat in Branson.
At the start of the 20th century, this popular vacation spot in the Midwest has attracted visitors, lured by natural beauty and many exciting outdoor adventures. Many visitors were drawn to Branson after publishing the 1907 novel of Harold Bell Wright, "The Shepherd of the Hills."
Many of the avid readers of the famous book have come to Branson to learn more about the novel's characters' lifestyle. The book was a great success during that time. Millions of copies were sold in various languages, and four movie versions were produced. The book is now the fourth most widely read book in publishing history.
Branson rose to national prominence in entertainment in 1954, when Red Foley, a great country singer with 38 Top 10 singles, relocated to Springfield, Missouri, hosting the "Ozark Jubilee," one of the first major network television series at the time.
In 1959, the Baldknobbers, composed of four brothers, has started performing country music, Ozark mountain music, and comedy, performing two shows a week in Branson. The brothers poured in a touch of fun to keep audiences entertained wherever they could find them. Droopy Drawers, one of Branson's most well-known characters, was designed by Jim Mabe and has thrilled visitors worldwide. Ten years later, a theater for Baldknobbers was built on Highway 76.
Hugo and Mary Herschend, the couple who leased Marvel Cave for 99 years, developed "Silver Dollar City" in 1960, a reconstructed 1880s mining village with steam train rides, craft displays, themed shops, and music. The first roller coaster in Branson was enjoyed by many visitors in this beautiful theme park.
The park garnered 125,000 visitors in its first year and quickly rose to become Missouri's top tourist attraction within three years. Silver Dollar City later expanded to include a water park, thrill coasters, food options, and a nighttime music show featuring top entertainers.
Enhancing the theme park's reputation, the "Beverly Hillbillies" filmed five episodes in Silver Dollar City in 1967. The Presley family (no connection to Elvis) were the first to erect a music theater along Highway 76, today known as "The Strip," that same year.
Over the next 25 years, other famed artists settled to Branson and built their entertainment venues, including Box Car Willie, Roy Clark, Ray Stevens, Jim Stafford, Moe Bandy, and Mickey Gilley. In a 1991 segment of "60 Minutes," Branson was dubbed "the live music capital of the world," and 22 venues had opened along Highway 76.
Through the 60s and 70s, several entertainers continued to grow to perform in Branson. A milestone was reached in 1983 with the opening of Roy Clark Celebrity Theatre, the first to be linked to a celebrity entertainer. Other stars such as BoxCar Willie and The Sons of the Pioneers followed suit.
During the gasoline crisis in the '70s, Ozark's ingenuity saved the city. Before this happened, 85% of all visitors drove to Branson. The oil shortage hampered visitors' ability to make the trip. Thus, several Branson merchants banded together and bought a supply of fuel. The promotion "If you get here, we'll bring you back" was born. Visitors who drove into Branson were permitted to fill up for free to make the trek back home.
Many entertainers moved to the area as Branson built a reputation in the 1980s for pleasant, family-oriented performances. More theaters, hotels, and attractions were constructed, and the town began to develop its reputation as a premier entertainment hub. Locals and visitors alike could feel the fun and excitement everywhere, and Branson was on its way to international stardom.
The Jet Boat in Branson is one of the most popular attractions, where many of the visitors want to try a thrilling ride after watching live shows from some popular entertainment venues.





