Review Mix - August 4-12

Review 6: I've seen practically every show in Branson and so far, the best show in town, bar none, is The Magnificent Seven and I want to share with you the facts I base that opinion on.

 

The Stars: These kids have great pipes!! have missed their calling.   Tim McGraw and Faith Hill don't have anything on Joe Tinoco and Tamera Holden except fame.  Faith is beautiful, has great pipes and provides a great show – ditto Tamera.   Tim is sexy, and a great singer and song writer. Joe has him beat, he's sexy, to die for 'good looking' and a great singer and songwriter.  Every time I'm there I hear females from nine to ninety swooning over that young man.  I've gotten to where I watch the other women watching when Joe first comes out on stage.  They sit up straighter, lean forward and without fail some of them lean over whispering "Who is THAT?"   I've been to most of the shows in this town and Joe Tinoco hands down has the most IT factor of any star here.  Can you say HUBBA, HUBBA, HUBBA!?  

 

The Band: I'm pretty sure this is the biggest back up band in Branson. It's even got a horn section! It's amazing to see an eleven piece band that is fully caught up in the show and never misses a beat or hits a sour note is amazing. Oh sure, hitting the notes right is normal, par for the course, but it's the being fully into what's going on in the show that really impressed me. I've seen plenty where the backup band is a lot like backup zombies.   No one can ever say that about this band.  These guys are enjoying the show!

 

The Dancers: These are the hardest working dancers in Branson, bar none!! (More about them further down in the review)

 

The Show: It's thrilling cliff notes on seven generations of American Music.   It will make you laugh. It will make you cry.  Your eyes will water up at the spiritual and patriotic songs. The kids in our group don't care for shows because they're 13 year old 'cool' boys who are into the latest rap hits.   As you can imagine, they didn't want to go, but they had a blast anyways.  J

 

LITTLE DETAILS ABOUT THE SHOW I REALLY LIKED:

 

Costumes: Different and gorgeous costumes for EVERY set!   They must fly through changing clothes.  I've heard they have over 150 costumes changes and though I haven't counted – I believe them! 

 

Comedians: Practically every show in Branson has a comedian, except for the Magnificent Seven.   They don't need 'a' comedian because everyone in the show is funny at one time or another during the show. Every guy in the show is hilarious in their spoof on Elvis impersonators. The girls are funny when they come to the audience to fight over a man. And I'm sorry but I'm just not going to give any of the rest of the show away.

 

Harmony:  We usually only think of the voices harmonizing – and you'll hear breathtakingly beautiful vocal harmony in this show. But at the White House you get quite a bit more for your money.   When everyone raises their right hand in the air – each dancer raises them the same height, angle, time, everything in perfect unison.  And everything in the show is like that…. the singers, dancers, musicians, costumes, lights, backgrounds, - all fit together seamlessly.

 

Seating: Indoors the White House has some of the most comfortable seating in Branson. Got a plus size member in your group? Relax; I'm currently a size 3X broad butt.    If you haven't been to any Branson shows, let me warn you there are many narrow seats in this town that squeeze me so I look like a hot roll spreading out and feeling miserable, holding my arms in close, worried the whole show about how I'm affecting the comfort of the people sitting on either side of me.   In our ever fattening society, the wider seats at the White House are a blessing to those of us who are overweight and also to the people who wind up seated beside us.

 

Outdoors:  It's a non smoker's and a smoker's paradise (yes, both) with plenty of outdoor seating, plenty of room to spread out and plenty of room to wander. It's hard to describe this if you've never been there, but you know how the ancient Greeks had an outdoor patio area with walls and windows so it was almost like the indoors?   Well it's sort of like that. I'm a non smoker and I found it  very easy to avoid smokers and the smell of smoke.

 

If you're taking pictures: The outside of the show is a photographer's paradise with panoramic views of Branson, and at least twenty different beautiful kinds of flowers in raised garden containers that make it easy to get those close ups without bending over.   In a world where we're always taking pictures of our loved ones with telephone poles growing out of their heads – here you'll find at least fifty great spots for backgrounds for those really impressive, gorgeous family photos.

 

Inside to out, top to bottom, the sights, sounds, aromas, and feel of the Magnificent Seven Show is the very top of the line. It's not quite Rolls Royce, but it's every bit a maxed out Lexus. 

 

And that's the truth based on having seen most of the shows here in Branson.

 

Lollie
http://www.lollie.com/  - life's work
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lolliedotcom  - life's play   (more pictures of the Magnificent Seven too)
100s of free, original wallpapers at both links

Drop in. You're always welcome. :)

 

Review 7: The Branson Brothers Show is a must see. Not only does it have Gospel and Country but it also has a little R&B with comedy mixed in. It is extremely versatile and many would and do enjoy this show. I would recommend this show to all and to get there a little early so you don't miss the beginning act with comedian Homer Lee. Ladies and gentlemen you are in for a treat when you attend this show. Please go see the Branson Brothers and after you see it write your own review to let others know your experience. Andre' Shepherd is an extremely soulful singer when he performs. He has this way of just completely taking you in and making you feel the lyrics of each and every song he performs, whether it be R&B, country and especially gospel. He is very deserving of the BEST SINGER award.

 

The BRANSON BROTHERS BAND in my eyes is ABSOLUTELY the BEST BAND in BRANSON!!!!! I may be biased but they are fantastic. Each musician brings their own flavor and personality to the music and deserve to be in the top spot for their hard work!!! HOMER LEE, HOMER LEE, HOMER LEE....... what more can you say about Homer Lee than you are the funniest guy in the world. Not only is Homer Lee funny but he is just an awesome guy in person. He seems so genuine when listening to the fans of the show. The BRANSON BROTHERS show as a whole should win because of the versatility with the music genres, their comedy and their musicians and singers. They are the nicest and most talented people you will ever meet and its an absolute honor to be in the presence of honest people like that!!!!

GREAT JOB EVERYONE!!!!!

Rebecca C.

 

Review 8: My name is Frances Knochelman. I am submitting this review on Betty Kleberger’s behalf. She has no computer, so I am doing this so she can give you her review. I myself love the TONY ROI THE ELVIS EXPERIENCE SHOW. I have known him since 2002 and will be his fan forever. I have seen over 100 shows and they are all different. Each one demonstrates his wonderful talent. I still feel that when I see Tony Roi I am also seeing Elvis in person. He and the band all are very wonderful people and all have great amount of talent. They all amaze me at the amount of talent and all deserve awards. The singers do an amazing job. I have heard that they also dance on some of the songs that Tony sings.

 

I have heard good things about the show from all that I talk to. They treat all fans as if we were the only ones there. We get to be ourselves and are treated as if we were in Tony’s own living room at his house. His wonderful voice just penetrates our hearts and souls and makes us forget all of our troubles, and when I listen to his CD’s at home it is the medicine I need that makes life worth living. I tell anyone that will listen about Tony Roi, and how wonderful he is. I visit Tony in Branson as often as I can. Branson is a wonderful town and hope one day to live there. You can go all summer and still miss some type of show. When in Branson the people are very friendly and that makes you feel very welcome.
Here is Betty’s review:

The weekend of July 28th and 29th, I came to Branson to see TONY ROI’S incredibly awesome shows, and I was not disappointed!!!!!!!!!!! He put his “all” into both days’ shows. Each show was different.

Friday’s show was especially great because Tony sang two songs he’d written himself. I had never heard them before. One was “Your Eyes Started the Fire”, which he wrote in 1994 for Bruce Springsteen. At that time, it was a Rock ’n Roll song, but Tony and Gary Freeman turned it into a sexy love song that started a fire in me and other women in the audience. His voice range on it was to the full vibrato, filling the theatre with his resonate booming voice. Tony wrote “Don’t Walk Away”, another “feverish song”, that had us all focused on the passionate words and music. In it he tells the woman not to leave him. He loves her and can’t live without her. This will soon be released, yes, he is so gifted! Ladies, men, and kids who have never seen him before leave as new fans, promising to return for more!

On Saturday, Tony sizzled! He exceeded so much energy, dancing across the stage; His passion for his craft is shown in the way he does Elvis’ music. He belts out his songs and we feel the music in his soul and ours. If the crowd is not with him in the beginning, it doesn’t take long until it gives him back the energy he puts into it and is clapping, hollering, and moving to the music.

When you come to Tony’s show, be prepared to listen to him sing Elvis’ classic songs as well as those he wrote himself. He will make you laugh, smile, and even cry if the mood of the song touches your heart. His antics on stage get the audience laughing as he jokes around with them and his band. He almost has us in tears when he sings, “Lord Gave Me A Mountain”. As he sings it, he gets Goosebumps himself; he sings it with so much feeling!

For our Veterans and those serving out country here and abroad Tony salutes them with “The American Trilogy”. It’s an awesome tribute to them and makes me proud to be an American. Sharing the love Tony has for his country.

As Tony sings, “Lead Me” and “How Great Thou Art”, I get chills and I feel HIS presence, in the house. Yes, Tony loves his Lord; you see it in his aura as he sings.

Tony’s Power house Band has all the makings of THE BEST BAND PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR! Dino, the drummer, is the best around town. Gene Puckett and Kelly Black is a pair of awesome, guitarists. Gary Freeman is the ultimate player, leader, and song arranger for the group.

Donna and Heather, Tony’s Angel singers, are a beautiful addition to Tony’s stage. Their melodic voices add so much backup to his songs. Not only do they sing, but they dance and add extra glitz to the show, as well.

Sherry, Richard, Crystal, Tanner and also Michael Haygood all of Tony’s staff great us. They make us welcome and treat us like family
All Tony’s fans are deeply devoted to him, because he is such a loving and caring man. He makes us all feel so special. Come and see TONY! Here and see for yourself what has made me and others come back for more!

Tony is a consummate entertainer. He gives us 2000%, even when he was not feeling well. Tony had been not feeling well for a couple of days in May, but you’d barely know it, because he performed so well. He didn’t disappoint his fan club members, who came to Branson to be involved in Fanfare, Tony’s special day for his fans. That day, we surprised him with stuffed teddy bears of many size, shape, and color as he sang “Let Me Be Your Teddy Bear”. Teddy Bears were everywhere on stage. Tony even stuffed some in his suit. They had to be put back stage to make room for Tony to perform. Tony’s Teddy Bears were given to children in the hospital and they had to be very pleased to receive them from this wonderful, caring man.

I just recently completed 8 months of intensive dental work. I’d have never made it without Tony’s latest CD, “Tony Live”! As the dentist drilled implants into my jawbone, I listened to Tony and was feeling no pain. I was totally relaxed during most of the ordeal. His soothing voice had me in my own special world. When he sang Eddie Arnolds “Make the World Go Away”, it made Tony’s world mine and for a while I was alone just to enjoy his incredible voice.

Wheather he’s swatting flies on stage, orchestrating cords on Gary Freeman’s keyboard, going after “Polk Salad Annie’s” alligator? Wiping sweat from his beautiful face and chest or kissing his adoring fans, we all Love him. You haven’t lived until you’ve experienced TONY ROI!

Yes, Tony, your fans “CAN’T HELP FALLING IN LOVE WITH YOU”! You bring pure joy into our lives!

Betty J. Kleberger
Florissant, Mo

 

Review 9: One of a kind (Tony Roi)

Hands down, Tony Roi should be the 2006 performer of the year. Branson is full of outstanding entertainers, but, after seeing Tony Roi, The Elvis Experience, nothing else compares. As a young girl, I watched the legendary Elvis Presley in concert. It was something I will never forget. I never thought anyone could even come close to sounding like Elvis until Tony Roi came along. I saw Tony for the first time with Legends in Concert several years ago. It was then that I saw the most mind-boggling performance that I had ever seen since I had been coming to Branson Needless to say, that is when I became a true Tony Roi fan.

 

Now going to Branson is even better, knowing I will be seeing his two-hour concert. Tony’s show is nothing short of amazing. God has blessed Tony with a magnificent voice, not to mention his absolutely stunning looks. When Tony takes the stage, he has you on the edge of your seat, mesmerized waiting for his next move or song. Especially when he begins to sing his gospel and patriotic songs, he will blow you away with his soulful voice, leaving you with chills up your spine. Even more incredible is Tony’s own music. It is phenomenal. It is so remarkable that someone can have such extraordinary talent as Tony Roi.

Happiness is not something you have in your hand; it is something you carry in your heart. When Tony sings, it is definitely from the heart. From the time Tony takes the stage until the curtain closes, he gives you 100 percent. Then he follows his spectacular show greeting his fans. Even though truly fatigued after a two-hour concert, he is still there caring about his devoted fans. He takes pictures and signs autographs until the last fan is through, always with his striking smile, thanking every single person for coming to his show. Tony Roi, The Elvis Experience, is without a doubt an unforgettable experience.

May God bless Tony Roi. He has the heart and voice of an angel. He is truly one of a kind.

Sincerely,

Tammy Ward

Tulsa, OK

 

Review 10: My wife and I just returned from one of Branson’s most entertaining shows; New’s Country at the Little Opry Theater in the IMAX Theater Complex. Branson’s Guitar Wizard, LeRoy New, is a self-taught, naturally talented musician, singer, and song writer. He proves his Guitar Wizard title right before your eyes during this two-hour show that is filled with classic country, bluegrass, and gospel music, as well as his version of “Misty” done in the fast paced Ray Stevens style. LeRoy nails the vocal on this rendition as Jim Glaspy nails the peppy 5-string banjo accompaniment. Accompanied by Michael T. Hermsmeyer and Jim Glaspy, LeRoy also performs the smooth vocal sounds of country legends Bob Wills and the Sons of the Pioneers.

LeRoy plays the guitar in the style of Maybelle Carter, Merle Travis, and Chet Atkins, not to mention the familiar guitar licks backing up Ernest Tubb, Johnny Cash and others. His own flat top picking style will leave you breathless as you wonder in amazement how he can play that thing so fast, and just about that time he picks up the pace and plays even faster. Michael T. Hermsmeyer provides lead and backup vocals and plays fiddle, dobro, harmonica, and mandolin. Jim Glaspy does vocals and plays upright bass and 5-string banjo. He brings back old memories when he sings the popular Elvis song, “Are You Lonesome Tonight” as it was originally performed by the Carter Family. The musical talent of these three performers is top notch. I still get goose bumps when I hear Michael Hermsmeyer playing Bob Wills, “Faded Love” on the fiddle and when LeRoy plays Chet Atkins, “Mr. Sandman” in that unique Chet Atkins style.

As an added treat, Hunter Glaspy (Jim’s 11 year old son) comes out on the stage and plays the spoons for a couple songs with the group. This kid is good and you know if he’s playing on stage with New’s Country, he has to be good - and fast. If you ever wondered who the youngest spoon player is in Branson; now you know. You’ve got to see him for yourself.

Aside from the great music, this two-hour show is filled with LeRoy’s description of experiences growing up in Kentucky. He presents story after story in a light-hearted way that each member of the audience can identify with; that first switching by Grandma to the first and only time he got into Grandpa’s chewing tobacco at the age of 5. Battery operated radio, no electricity, front porch, bare feet, and 60 acres so far back in the hills, “light has to be piped in” are just some of the ways LeRoy paints the picture of his childhood for the audience. He continues his stories right up to his current days performing in Branson and having grandchildren of his own.

There are plenty of music critics around who argue over who the best musician is in Branson. If they haven’t considered LeRoy New, Branson’s Guitar Wizard, their argument has no credibility.

The great performance of classic country music and the heartwarming stories in this show leave the audience talking about them long after seeing the show. The 2-hour show will have you reminiscing over what you saw for a long time after the show is over. And as you reminisce, it will have you yearning to return to see it again.

Bob Cort

Forsyth, MO

 

Look at Pics from Jen Lowery