Branson Spotlight Winners
Doug Gabriel’s
Branson Spotlight 2005: Singers compete each
Friday at 11 p.m at the Jim Stafford Theatre, 3440
W. Hwy. 76, Branson, for a
prize package including $100 cash, and a spot in semi-finals and then
the finals to win a top prize of $5,000 cash, sponsored by Pepsi, a
recording session, a one-day multi-shoot photo session by Big Smile
Studio, and much more. Each week’s winner also performs on KRZK Radio’s
Late Night Live Show and Doug Gabriel’s morning show which is
celebrating its 11th season in Branson, also performed at the Jim
Stafford Theatre at 10 a.m.
October 24, 2005
Justin Long Is $5,000.00
Richer
"Justin Long of Springfield, Mo., took home the $5,000 prize,
sponsored by Pepsi, in the second annual Doug Gabriel’s Branson
Spotlight."
continue
DH 6:30
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Justin Long of Springfield
Justin Long of Springfield, Mo., is the fourth semi-finalist to
qualify for the finals of Doug Gabriel’s Branson Spotlight as
the last week of competition begins. The final, featuring guest
judge Jim Stafford, is Friday at 11 p.m. at the Jim Stafford
Theatre where the winner will take home $5,000 sponsored by
Pepsi among other prizes.
Long joins Michelle Ostman of Belleville, Ill., Alaina Whitaker
of Tulsa, Okla., and Gordon Wensel of Lebanon, Mo., as
finalists. One more finalist will be selected in a special
two-hour wildcard show on Wednesday, Oct. 19, at 10:30 p.m. also
at the Jim Stafford Theatre.
Michelle Ostman of Belleville, Ill., qualifies
for Doug Gabriel’s Branson Spotlight Finals
Michelle Ostman of Belleville, Ill., is the third semi-finalist to
qualify for the finals of Doug Gabriel’s Branson Spotlight as the last
semi-final heats up. The last semi-final is Friday at 11 p.m. at the Jim
Stafford Theatre.
Contestants this week are Justin Long of Springfield, Mo., Casey Fetters
of Pond Creek, Lloyd Holt of Tulsa, Okla., Michael Porter of Old
Hickory, Tenn., Bryan Davis of St. Joseph, Mo., and Nathan Foster of
Ballwin, Mo.
Bart Rockett to judge
third semi-final
of Doug Gabriel’s ‘Branson Spotlight’
Alaina Whitaker of Tulsa, Okla., qualifies
for finals
Alaina Whitaker of Tulsa, Okla.,
is the second semi-finalist to qualify for the finals of Doug Gabriel’s
Branson Spotlight as the third semi-final heats up. This week’s guest
judge for the 11 p.m. talent contest at the Jim Stafford Theatre Friday
is magician Bart Rockett.
Contestants this week are Michelle Ostman of Belleville, Ill., Doug
Cooper of Blue Springs, Mo., Elizabeth Teel of Wills Point, Texas, Kayde
Wright of Barnhart, Mo., Troy Sawyer of Liberty, Mo., and Chelsea Martz
of Lenexa, Kan.
Steve Fairchild from
Legends in Concert
to judge second semi-final
of Doug Gabriel’s ‘Branson Spotlight’
Gordon Wensel of Lebanon, Mo., qualifies
for finals
Gordon Wensel of Lebanon, Mo., is the first semi-finalist to qualify for
the finals of Doug Gabriel’s Branson Spotlight as the second semi-final
heats up. This week’s guest judge for the 11 p.m. talent contest at the
Jim Stafford Theatre Friday is Steve Fairchild who plays Garth Brooks in
the Legends in Concert.
Contestants this week are John Sagger of Deshler, Ohio, Luke Foster of
Broken Arrow, Okla., Jenny Lee of Sandoval, Ill., Gregory D. Manis of
High Ridge, Mo., Alaina Whitaker of Tulsa, Okla., and Tim Reeves of
Pacific, Mo.
Moe Bandy to judge
first semi-final
of Doug Gabriel’s ‘Branson Spotlight’
Timothy Reeves of Pacific, Mo., last week’s
winner
 The
competition is heating up as Doug Gabriel’s Branson Spotlight moves into
the semi-final rounds of the talent contest with Moe Bandy scheduled as
the first semi-final guest judge for the 11 p.m. show at the Jim
Stafford Theatre Friday.
Tim Reeves of Pacific, Mo., became the last of 24 qualifiers
representing six states (narrowed down from 144 from 14 states) who will
vie for a spot in the Oct. 22 finals. The top finalist will win a prize
package which includes $5,000 sponsored by Pepsi, a recording session, a
one-day multi-shoot photo session by Big Smile Studio and much more.
Contestants this week are Thomas Sheffield of Lawton, Okla., Emily Groce
and Gordon Wensel of Lebanon, Mo, Kurt Pearson of Independence, Mo.,
Amberdawn Bolding of Ozark, Mo., and Jason Martin of St. Charles, Mo.
The winner will receive a prize package including $100 cash and a spot
in the finals. He or she will also get to perform on KRZK Radio’s Late
Night Live Show and Doug Gabriel’s morning show that is celebrating its
11th season in Branson, also performed at the Jim Stafford Theatre at 10
a.m.
Jackie Brown at ‘Country Tonite’ to
judge
Doug Gabriel’s ‘Branson Spotlight’
Chelsea Martz of Lenexa, Kan., last
week’s winner
Chelsea Martz of Lenexa, Kan., is the newest winner in the hit
Branson late night show, Doug Gabriel’s Branson Spotlight, as the
show gears up for its last week of preliminary competition this
Friday with guest judge Jackie Brown of Country Tonite.
Contestants this week are Cara Humphrey of St. Joseph, Mo.,
Mackenzie Lollar of Shawnee, Okla., Don Ramhort of Collinsville,
Okla., Jaime Highfill of Owasso, Okla., Parry Hough of Ellisville,
Mo., Dmitri Sobol of Tulsa, Okla., and Tim Reeves of Pacific, Mo.
Jessica James to judge
Doug Gabriel’s ‘Branson Spotlight’
Amberdawn Bolding of Ozark, Mo. last week’s
winner
 This week’s contestants from Oklahoma, Missouri, Texas
Amberdawn Bolding of Ozark, Mo., is the newest winner in the hit Branson
late night show, Doug Gabriel’s Branson Spotlight, as the show gears up
for its 22nd week of competition this Friday with guest judge Jessica
James.
Contestants this week are Dmitri Sobol and Julie Rockwell of Tulsa,
Okla., Kent Walker of St. Joseph, Mo., Katrina Caddell of Kansas City,
Gina Lodike of Fenton, Mo., and Justin Temme of Fort Worth, Texas
Brett Family to judge
Doug Gabriel’s ‘Branson Spotlight’
Troy Sawyer of Liberty, Mo. last week’s
winner
This week’s contestants from
Oklahoma, Missouri
Troy Sawyer of Liberty, Mo., is
the newest winner in the hit Branson late night show, Doug Gabriel’s
Branson Spotlight, as the show gears up for its 21st week of competition
this Friday with guest judges the Brett Family.
Contestants this week are Alesha Dalton of Lebanon, Mo., Mandy Sanders
of Bixby, Okla., Christie Ogden of Platte City, Mo., Dan Vivion of
Tahlequah, Okla., Jennifer Henry of Arnold, Mo., and Amberdawn Bolding
of Ozark, Mo.
KRZK’s Janet Ellis to
judge Doug Gabriel’s ‘Branson Spotlight’
Steve Willoughby to co-host
Bryan Davis of St. Joseph, Mo. last week’s
winner
This week’s contestants from
Oklahoma, Missouri
Bryan Davis of St. Joseph, Mo. is the newest winner in the hit Branson
late night show, Doug Gabriel’s Branson Spotlight, as the show gears up
for its 20th week of competition this Friday with KRZK’s Janet Ellis as
the guest judge and KRZK’s Steve Willoughby as the co-host.
Ellis and Willoughby are the popular duo on Hometown Radio’s morning
show, Steve and Janet in the Morning. Willoughby will join Cheryl
Gabriel who is the regular co-host of the Branson Spotlight.
Contestants this week are Destiny Lakin of Harrisonville, Mo., Steve
Yates of Springfield, Mo., Leah Swindell of Copan, Okla., Heath Boutwell
of Broken Arrow, Okla. and Troy Sawyer of Liberty, Mo.
Debra Lowther, producer of Branson
Jubilee TV show, to judge Doug Gabriel’s ‘Branson Spotlight’
Jason Martin of St. Charles, Mo. last
week’s winner
This week’s contestants from
Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri
Jason Martin of St. Charles, Mo., is the newest winner in the hit
Branson late night show, Doug Gabriel’s Branson Spotlight, as the show
gears up for its 19th week of competition this Friday with Debra Lowther,
producer of the Branson Jubilee television show, as the guest judge.
Contestants this week are Amy Hargrove of Tulsa, Okla., Bryan Davis of
St. Joseph, Mo., Brittany Moses of Bethan, Mo., Roy Weathers of
Collinsville, Okla., Katie Bundstein of Festus, Mo., and Luke Robinson
of Holliday, Texas
C.J. Andreas, 2004 winner, to judge
Doug Gabriel’s ‘Branson Spotlight’
Alaina Whittaker of Tulsa last week’s
winner
This week’s contestants from
Nebraska, Oklahoma, Missouri
Alaina Whittaker of Tulsa, Okla., is the newest winner in the hit
Branson late night show, Doug Gabriel’s Branson Spotlight, as the show
gears up for its 18th week of competition this Friday with C.J. Andreas,
2004 Spotlight winner, as the guest judge.
Contestants this week are Robert Webster of Crocker, Mo., Rebecca Sharp
of Fall City, Neb., Melinda Sluder of Platte City, Mo., Jason Martin of
St. Charles, Mo., and David Miller and Jesse Beims of Tulsa, Okla.
Doug Brewin ‘Alan Jackson’ from
‘Legends in Concert’ to judge Doug Gabriel’s ‘Branson Spotlight
Michael Porter of Old Hickory, Tennessee
last week’s winner
This week’s contestants from Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri
Michael Porter of Old Hickory, Tenn., is the newest winner in the hit
Branson late night show, Doug Gabriel’s Branson Spotlight, as the show
gears up for its 17th week of competition this Friday with Doug Brewin
who portrays Alan Jackson in Branson’s Legends in Concert as the guest
judge.
Contestants this week are Jeremy Long of Savannah, Mo., Alaina Whittaker
and Vanessa Gatzman of Tulsa, Tammy Porter and Misty Porter of Kansas
City and Jack Buuck of Watauga, Texas
Callie Agler of ‘Grand Country
Comedy Jamboree’ to judge
Doug Gabriel’s ‘Branson Spotlight
Justin Long of Springfield, Mo. last week’s
winner
 This
week’s contestants from Illinois, Arkansas, Tennessee, Oklahoma,
Missouri
Justin Long of Springfield, Mo., is the newest winner in the hit Branson
late night show, Doug Gabriel’s Branson Spotlight, as the show gears up
for its 16th week of competition this Friday with Callie Agler of Grand
Country Comedy Jamboree as the guest judge.
Contestants this week are Christopher Krause of Granite City, Ill.,
Jaime Barber of Phillipsburg, Mo., Savanah Wilber of Bentonville, Ark.,
Kari Brummett of Bixby, Okla., Michael Porter of Old Hickory, Tenn., and
LaVerne Oatman of Collinsville, Ill.
Ambrus
Leigh of Presley’s Country Jubilee to judge
Doug Gabriel’s Branson Spotlight
Thomas Sheffield of Lawton, Oklahoma last
week’s winner
This week’s contestants from Kansas, Oklahoma, Missouri
Thomas Sheffield of Lawton, Okla. is the newest winner in the hit
Branson late night show, Doug Gabriel’s Branson Spotlight, as the show
enters its 15th weekly competition this Friday with Ambrus Leigh of
Presley’s Country Jubilee as the guest judge.
Contestants this week are Jon Elder of Prairie Village, Kan., Tiffany
Drueppel of Owasso, Okla., Justin Long of Springfield, Mo., Bailey
Tucker of Pleasantville, Mo., Alyson Jones of Pacific, Mo., and Crystal
Riley of St. Joseph, Mo.
Stacey Whitton of
Legends in Concert to judge
Doug Gabriel’s Branson Spotlight
Casey Fetters of Pond Creek, Oklahoma last
week’s winner
This week’s contestants from Kansas, Oklahoma, Missouri
Casey Fetters of Pond Creek, Okla., is the newest winner in the hit
Branson late night show, Doug Gabriel’s Branson Spotlight, as the show
gears up for its 14th week of competition this Friday with Stacey
Whitton of Legends in Concert as the guest judge.
Contestants this week are Amanda Robbins of Catoosa, Okla., Derek Craft
of Parkville, Mo., Teri Selica of Broken Arrow, Okla., Mallory Auffert
of Topeka, Kan., Case Calcatara of Villa Ridge, Mo., Thomas Sheffield of
Lawton, Okla.
Barbara Fairchild to
judge
Doug Gabriel’s Branson Spotlight
Kayde Wright of Barnhart, Missouri last
week’s winner
This week’s contestants from Illinois, Oklahoma, Missouri
Kayde Wright of Barnhart, Mo. is the newest winner in the hit Branson
late night show, Doug Gabriel’s Branson Spotlight, as the show gears up
for its 13th week of competition this Friday with Barbara Fairchild as
the guest judge.
Contestants this week are Stephanie Foster of E. Peoria, Ill., Dominic
McClenny of Stillwater, Okla., Casey Fetters of Pond Creek, Okla., Russ
Anderson of St. Louis, Stephanie Gamble of Tulsa, Okla. and Robert
Slavens of Springfield, Mo.
Amanda Haffecke from Magnificent 7
to judge Doug Gabriel’s Branson Spotlight
Doug Cooper of Blue Springs, Missouri last
week’s winner
This week’s contestants from Illinois, Oklahoma, Missouri
Doug Cooper is the newest winner in the hit Branson late night show,
Doug Gabriel’s Branson Spotlight as the show gears up for its twelfth
week of competition this Friday with Amanda Haffecke from Magnificent 7
as the guest judge.
Contestants this week are Yvonne Wheeler of Independence, Mo., Lisa
Higbee of Lebanon, Mo., Angela Frederick of Edgerton, Mo., Don Jefferson
of Tulsa, Okla., Gary Metze of Troy, Ill., and Kayde Wright of Barnhart,
Mo.
#1 Hits of the Sixties to
judge
Doug Gabriel’s Branson Spotlight
Michelle Ostman of Belleville, Illinois
last week’s winner
This week’s contestants from Kansas, Missouri
Michelle Ostman of Belleville, Ill., is the newest winner in the hit
Branson late night show, Doug Gabriel’s Branson Spotlight as the show
gears up for its eleventh week of competition this Friday with cast
members of #1 Hits of the Sixties as guest judges.
Contestants this week are Heather Biggs of Dixon, Mo., Vernon Kolhbusch
of Hermann, Mo., Doug Cooper of Blue Springs, Mo., Tonya Starnes of
Coffeyville, Kan., Mike Sheppard of Cedar Hill, Mo., and Jaime Sansgaard
of Overland Park, Kan.
Ronnie Phophet to judge
Doug Gabriel’s Branson Spotlight
Kurt Pearson of Independence, Missouri last
week’s winner
(no picture) This week’s
contestants from Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri
Kurt Pearson of Independence, Mo., is the newest winner in the hit
Branson late night show, Doug Gabriel’s Branson Spotlight as the show
gears up for its tenth weekly competition this Friday with Ronnie
Phophet as guest judge.
Contestants this week are Michelle Ostman of Belleville, Ill., Harvey
Miner of Miami, Okla., Alice Radford of Gower, Mo., Jeff Bookout of
Broken Arrow, Okla. and Erin Drew of Appleton, Minn.
The World Famous Platters
to judge
Doug Gabriel’s Branson Spotlight
Lloyd Holt of Tulsa last week’s winner
(No picture) This week’s contestants from
Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri
Lloyd Holt of Tulsa, Oklahoma is the eighth winner in the hit Branson
late night show, Doug Gabriel’s Branson Spotlight as the show gears up
for its ninth weekly competition this Friday with The World Famous
Platters as guest judges.
Contestants this week are Michael Goff of Burlington Junction, Mo., Kurt
Pearson of Independence, Mo., Erica Jernegan of Tulsa, Teresa Hilligoss
of Jenks, Okla., Melissa Bacott of Eureka, Mo., Mercedes Jayne Crawford
of Augusta, Kan.
Area Appreciation,
Benefit Show
Joey Riley guest judge, contestants from Missouri, Oklahoma, Ohio
Gregory D. Manis of High Ridge, Missouri,
May 13 winner
 Gregory
D. Manis of High Ridge, Mo., is the sixth winner in the hit Branson late
night show, Doug Gabriel’s Branson Spotlight as the show gears up for
its seventh weekly competition this Friday with Joey Riley as guest
judge.
Contestants this week are Nancy Johnson of Lebanon, Mo., Weslie
Viddaurri of Claremore, Okla., Cynthia Green of Kansas City, Angie
Mohamed of St. Joseph, Amber Allred of Imperial, Mo. and John Sager of
Deshler, Ohio.
Friday night’s performance at 11 p.m.
is area appreciation and a benefit show for the family of the
late Michael J. Slagley, Doris Budenbacher and Julie Langton.
Budenbacher and Langton remain hospitalized following a May vehicle
accident. Doug Gabriel’s morning show at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 21
continues the area appreciation and benefit at the Jim Stafford Theatre,
3440 W. Hwy. 76, Branson. A $5 per adult donation for locals is
requested..
Daniel O'Donnell to judge
Doug Gabriel’s Branson Spotlight
Elizabeth Teel
of Wills Point, Texas, May 6th winner
 This week’s contestants from California, Oklahoma, Missouri
Elizabeth Teel of Wills Point, Texas, is the fifth winner in the hit
Branson late night show, Doug Gabriel’s Branson Spotlight as the show
gears up for its sixth weekly competition this Friday with Daniel
O’Donnell who is performing selected dates at Tri-Lakes Center as guest
judges. Contestants this week are Jessica Swadley of Stockton, Mo.,
Roger Vierra of Tulsa. Lloyd Stidham of Tulsa, Missy Miller of Stout
Land, Mo., Gregory D. Manis of High Ridge, Mo., and Shawna Hogan of
Burbank, Calif.
Emily Groce of Lebanon, Missouri, last week’s winner
 This week’s
contestants from Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Arkansas, Illinois with New
South guest judges
Emily Groce of Lebanon, Mo., is the fourth winner in the hit Branson
late night show, Branson Spotlight as the show gears up
for its fifth weekly competition this Friday with members of New South
from the Grand Country Jubilee as guest judges.
Contestants this week are Elizabeth Teel of Wills Point, Texas, Amy
Honeyman of Tulsa, Okla., Shannon Cage of Muskogee, Okla., Merlynne
Hughes of St. Joseph, Mo., Michael Bray of Van Buren, Ark., and Michelle
K. Smith of Dawson, Ill.
Luke Foster of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
Wins
This week’s contestants from Missouri,
Tennessee, Indiana with Tony Roi guest judge
 Luke
Foster of Broken Arrow, Okla., is the third winner in the hit Branson
late night show, Doug Gabriel’s Branson Spotlight as the show gears up
for its fourth weekly competition this Friday with Tony Roi from the
Elvis Experience as the guest judge.
Contestants this week are Emily Groce of
Lebanon, Mo., Eddie Lowery of Kansas City, Heather Davis of Lathrop,
Mo., Loren Bridge of Grandview, Mo., Amanda Fairchild of Bartlett,
Tenn., and Paige Urschel of Anderson, Ind.
Doug Gabriel’s Branson Spotlight
(formerly Branson Idol) is an innovative project from Gabriel
Productions. Produced and directed by Doug Gabriel, it showcases up and
coming vocal talent from across the nation with celebrity judges narrow
the competition to two finalists and the audience ultimately selects the
winner. Roi will join Gabriel and his judging team: "The Lady Outlaw"
Jessica James and a favorite Branson comedian Terry Sanders as Doug's
Grandma. This week the celebrity co-host who will emcee with Cheryl
Gabriel is Trey Wilson from Grand Country Jubilee in Branson.
As last week’s winner, Foster joins
Gordie Wensel of Lebanon, Mo., and Jenny Lee of Sandoval, Illinois as
the first semi-finalists for 2005.
Jenny Lee of Sandoval, Illinois.
This week’s contestants from Oklahoma,
Missouri with Tamra Holden guest judge
 Jenny
Lee of Sandoval, Ill., is the second winner in the hit Branson late
night show, Doug Gabriel’s Branson Spotlight as the show gears up for
its third weekly competition this Friday with Tamra Holden from the
Magnificent 7 as the guest judge.
Contestants this week are Malarie Fares of Bixby, Okla., Rae Dreiman of
Catawissa, Mo., Kelly Stacy of Tulsa, Ric Louis of St. Louis and Luke
Foster of Broken Arrow, Okla.
As last week’s winner, Lee joins Gordie Wensel of Lebanon, Mo., as the
first semi-finalists for 2005.
The 2004 winner, Carrie Joy Andreas of Edwardsville, Ill., is enjoying
the opportunities our show has given her and is currently working with
Doug Gabriel on her recording session in Nashville. After season one,
two contestants are working as professional entertainers in
Branson.
Yolanda Fletcher is with the World Famous Platters and Wendy Sewell is
in '50s at the Hop. Both came from the Tulsa auditions," said Gabriel.
Contestants auditioned this past winter in Lebanon, St. Joseph, St.
Louis and Kansas City in Missouri, in Tulsa, Okla. or submitted a
mail-in packet. A total of 144 singers from 14 states made it through
the audition process.
Those yet to compete are from Arkansas: Savannah Wilbur of Bentonville
and Michael Bray of Van Buren; from California: Shawna Hogan of Burbank;
from Illinois: Michelle Ostman of Belleville, LaVerne Oatman of
Collinsville, Michelle K. Smith of Dawson, Stephanie Foster of E.
Peoria, Christopher Krause of Granite City and Gary Metze of Troy; from
Indiana: Paige Urschel of Anderson; from Kansas are Tonya Starnes of
Coffeyville, Mercedes Jayne Crawford of Augusta, Stachia Day of Gardner,
Chelsea Martz of Lenexa, Jaime Sansgaard of Overland Park, Jon Elder of
Prairie Village and Mallory Auffert of Topeka; from Nebraska: Rebecca
Sharp of Fall City; from Michigan: from Minnesota: Erin Drew of
Appleton;
from Missouri: Jennifer Henry of Arnold; Bethany Schroeder of Ava; Kayde
Wright of Barnhart; Brittany Moses of Bethany; Doug Cooper of Blue
Springs; Michael Goff of Burlington Junction; Leslie Warren of
Camdenton; Mike Sheppard of Cedar Hill; Robert Webster of Crocker;
Heather Biggs of Dixon; Angela Frederick of Edgerton; Parry Hough of
Ellisville; Melissa Bacott of Eureka; Gina Lodike of Fenton; Katie
Bundstein of Festus; Selena Robertson and Edward Kaufmann of Florrissant;
Alice Radford of Gower; Loren Bridge of Grandview; Sonya Buckles of
Guilford; Destiny Lakin of Harrisonville; Vernon Kolhbusch of Hermann;
Gregory D. Manis of High Ridge; Jonathon Noland of Holt; Amber Allred of
Imperial; Kurt Pearson and Yvonne Wheeler of Independence; Eddie Lowery,
Natasha Bennett, Cynthia Green, Tammy Porter, Misty Porter and Katrina
Caddell Kansas City; Heather Davis of Lathrop; Alesha Dalton, Emily
Groce, Nancy Johnson, Lisa Higbee of Lebanon; Troy Sawyer of Liberty;
Lorel Huelsmann and Jen Fritz of O’Fallon; Amberdawn Bolding of Ozark;
Derek Craft of Parkville; Alyson Jones and Tim Reeves of Pacific; Jaime
Barber of Phillipsburg; Melinda Sluder and Christie Ogden of Platte
City; Bailey Tucker of Pleasantville; Jeremy Long of Savannah; Robert
Slavens, Justin Long and Steve Yates of Springfield; Jason Martin of St.
Charles; Merlynne Hughes, Briana Curtin, Angie Mohamed, Crystal Riley,
Bryan Davis, Kent Walker, Cara Humphrey of St. Joseph; and Russ Anderson
of St. Louis; Jessica Swadley of Stockton; and Case Calcatara of Villa
Ridge;
from New Mexico: Gabe Callis of Sedan; from Ohio: John Sager of Deshler;
from Oklahoma: Kari Brummett and Mandy Sanders of Bixby; Jeff Bookout,
Teri Selica and Heath Boutwell of Broken Arrow; Amanda Robbins of
Catoosa; Weslie Viddaurri of Claremore; Roy Weathers and Don Ramhort of
Collinsville; Leah Swindell of Copan; Teresa Hilligoss of Jenks; Thomas
Sheffield of Lawton; Harvey Miner of Miami; Shannon Cage of Muskogee;
Tiffany Drueppel and Jaime Highfill of Owasso; Casey Fetters of Pond
Creek; Mackenzie Lollar of Shawnee; Dominic McClenny of Stillwater; Dan
Vivion of Tahlequah; Amy Honeyman, Roger Vierra, Lloyd Holt, Erica
Jernegan, Don Jefferson, Alaina Whittaker, Vanessa Gatzman, David
Miller, Jesse Beims, Amy Hargrove, Dmitri Sobol, Julie Rockwell,
Stephanie Gamble and Amanda Sleeper of Tulsa, from Tennessee: Amanda
Fairchild of Bartlett and Michael Porter of Old Hickory; from Texas:
Justin Temme of Fort Worth; Kristi Kalyn of Grandbury; Luke Robinson of
Holliday; Jack Buuck of Watauga; and Elizabeth Teel of Wills Point.
Doug Gabriel’s
Branson Spotlight
Gordie Wensel of Lebanon, Missouri last week’s winner
This week’s contestants from Oklahoma, Missouri, Michigan with Clay
Cooper guest host
 Gordie
Wensel of Lebanon, Mo., is the first winner in the hit Branson late
night show, Doug Gabriel’s Branson Spotlight as the show is gears up for
its second weekly competition this Friday with Clay Cooper as the guest
judge.
Contestants this week are Parker Simon of Sand Springs, Okla., Jenny Lee
of Sandoval, Ill., Karen Anderson-Merkel of Potosi, Mo., Shannon Huckeby
of Skiatook, Okla., Bethany Broekema of Grand Rapids, Mich., Ronnie
Kincade of Barnhart, Mo.
Singers compete each Friday at 11 p.m at the Jim Stafford Theatre, 3440
W. Hwy. 76, Branson, for a
prize package including $100 cash, and a spot in semi-finals and then
the finals to win a top prize of $5,000 cash, sponsored by Pepsi, a
recording session, a one-day multi-shoot photo session by Big Smile
Studio, and much more. Each week’s winner also performs on KRZK Radio’s
Late Night Live Show and Doug Gabriel’s morning show which is
celebrating its 11th season in Branson, also performed at the Jim
Stafford Theatre at 10 a.m.
The 2004 winner, Carrie Joy Andreas of Edwardsville, Ill., is enjoying
the opportunities our show has given her and is currently working with
Doug Gabriel on her recording session in Nashville. After season one,
two contestants are working as professional entertainers in Branson.
Yolanda Fletcher is with the World Famous Platters and Wendy Sewell is
in '50s at the Hop. Both came from the Tulsa auditions," said Gabriel.
Contestants auditioned this past winter in Lebanon, St. Joseph, St.
Louis and Kansas City in Missouri, in Tulsa, Okla. or submitted a
mail-in packet. A total of 144 singers from 14 states made it through
the audition process.
Doug Gabriel’s Branson Spotlight first
auditions set for January 15, 16 in Lebanon, Missouri
Branson's Doug Gabriel's
premiere late night hit that showcases up and coming vocalists in a
competition format is beginning the new year with a new name, a new
home and a new audition location.
"We appreciate the opportunity to be working with The Coyote for the
new season's first auditions. The civic center is an excellent
environment for the performers," said Gabriel, the show's creator,
producer and director. "Branson Spotlight will continue in its same
contest format with guest entertainment legends and the audience as
the judges. We've changed the name to better describe that the show
spotlights new talent as well as all the wonderful shows in
Branson."
Once the series of auditions are held in various locations through
March, the weekly Branson Spotlight competitions will begin Friday,
April 8 in its 11 p.m. time slot at a new home, the Jim Stafford
Theatre, according to Gabriel.
"Not many shows are in this 11 p.m. time slot in Branson and we are
excited to offer this alternative as a place to go after the shows,"
said Gabriel.
Performers compete in preliminaries, quarterfinals and finals for an
array of prizes, personal appearances such as KRZK's Grand Country
Saturday Night and The Doug Gabriel Show, a recording session and a
$5,000 grand prize. Each one-hour show will feature five to six
contestants.
"We focus on vocalists and many are waiting in the wings for that
chance to shine on stage. Branson Spotlight provides that
opportunity. Our 2004 winner, Carrie Joy Andreas of Edwardsville,
Ill., is enjoying the opportunities our show has given her. We are
currently working on her recording session in Nashville. After one
season, two contestants are working as professional entertainers in
Branson. Yolanda Fletcher is with the World Famous Platters and
Wendy Sewell is in '50s at the Hop," said Gabriel.
"Our celebrity judging format with the audience selecting the winner
each week is very popular," said Gabriel. "Guest celebrities for the
new season will change weekly and be interviewed up close and
personal."
The guest celebrity will join the judging team of Gabriel, popular
judge "The Lady Outlaw" Jessica James and a favorite Branson
comedian Terry Sanders who will judge each week as Doug's Grandma.
Many aspects will be continued from the first season. Gabriel's wife
Cheryl and Chance Havens will return as the masters of ceremonies
for the show. Cheryl is an integral part of The Doug Gabriel Show
and will continue in that capacity in addition to this new emcee
role. Havens is signed with Castle Records and has been seen on many
Branson stages including Silver Dollar City, Starlite Theatre and
Barbara Fairchild. K-Life of Taney County (30 years of ministry as
Youth Life now partnered with K-Life), a non-profit organization
which offers unconditional friendship for youth, will again assist.
Part of the proceeds from each show will again be donated to the
group that provides positive alternatives to local youth through
weekly clubs, small group Bible studies, sports, activities and
trips. The K-Life staff builds relationships with the students and
earns the right to share the gospel and then introduces them to a
local church of their choice for discipleship.
"We are thrilled to be hooking up with Branson Spotlight. It's a
class act run by a classy guy. Doug Gabriel knows how to put on a
show," said Dan Caldwell, general manager of 107.9 The Coyote (KCLQ),
whose Boys and their Toys Show runs Jan. 14-16.
Additional audition locations in Rochester, Minn. and Tulsa will be
announced soon. Vocalists may also submit an audio and photograph or
videotape. For more information call toll free 1-866-234-4365.
Go to
www.bransoncritic.org/branson _critic_directory.htm for Branson
Spotlight website.
In addition to Branson Spotlight, Gabriel stars in his award-winning
morning show The Doug Gabriel Show that will be presented at 10 a.m.
at the Jim Stafford Theatre, 3440 Hwy. 76 W., for his 12th Branson
season. |
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