“Branson Cares” is the message the Branson community wants to send to victims of Hurricane Katrina – along with relief funds raised by a concert and a telethon set for Sunday, September 18 in the Southwest Missouri town known for live entertainment.
“Our neighbors to the south have shared our hospitality during the good times, and we want them to share our hospitality in the bad times too,” said Ann Stafford, event organizer and co-owner of the Jim Stafford Theatre in Branson. “Branson’s stars want to help with relief efforts and show that Branson cares – we want to reach out with the heart and soul of this community.”
The live concert will be at the Tri-Lakes Center on Hwy. 248, 7 p.m. Sunday, September 18.
Performers include Jim Stafford, Andy Williams, Yakov Smirnoff, Mickey Gilley, Ray Stevens, Pam Tillis, Marie Osmond, Moe Bandy, Janet Lennon, Doug Gabriel, The Lennon Sisters, Les Brown Jr., Merrill Osmond, Baldknobbers, Acrobats of China, Buck Trent, Ed Ames, Patti Page, Todd Oliver from the Showboat Branson Belle and Carol Lawrence.
The show will be broadcast live by Springfield NBC affiliate KY3 from 8-10 p.m. Central Time. The Branson Cares Benefit will be available via satellite for broadcast from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. by stations throughout the Midwest. KY3 has graciously donated the equipment, labor, and the satellite services for this event.
The League of Branson Theater Owners and Show Producers (The League) is producing the Branson Cares Concert Benefit and Telethon. Other Sponsors of the event are KY3 Television, the Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce & CVB, the City of Branson, a variety of area businesses, and numerous volunteers.
KY3, in providing the live broadcast of the show and facilitating the satellite uplink, is making it possible for the telethon to be shown in communities throughout the country, with those station placement efforts currently underway. Stations such as KFJX, the Fox affiliate in Joplin, Missouri, will be airing the program live from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Sunday, September 18. Most recently KNWA-KFTA, the NBC affiliates for the Fayetteville-Ft. Smith, Arkansas area as well as the NBC affiliate in Little Rock Arkansas, KARK, have announced that they will be airing a tape delay of the Branson Cares Telethon from 10:50 to 12:50 PM on Sunday, September 18. Viewers are advised to call their local TV stations to check the schedule to see if their hometown stations are airing the Branson Cares Concert and Telethon.
The famed entertainment town has often used its strong talent pool to show its generosity, having hosted many charitable events. Most notably, Branson pulled together for a national telethon to raise emergency assistance for the Midwestern floods of 1993.
“This community, when it sets its direction to help those in need, exemplifies its solid, Christian backbone. We want our fellow Americans to know Branson cares,” concluded Stafford, who is also the Vice President of The League and Branson Cares Benefit Chairperson.
All proceeds from the concert and telethon will go to the American Red Cross Greater Ozarks Chapter and the Salvation Army. Visitors are also encouraged to bring non-perishable food items, socks, underwear, hygiene kits, and toys to the benefit for the Convoy of Hope trucks that will be on site during the Branson Cares Benefit. These items will be sent directly to the disaster area.