A prominent Branson entertainer was recently honored by the Missouri House of Representatives as being an “Outstanding Missourian.” Fiddle player Shoji Tabuchi was presented with the Missourian Award at his theater during a recent showing of his Christmas program, along with a proclamation from the House and Gov. Matt Blunt by Ralph Slavens, a Springfield businessman that had the original idea for the award.
“This is a good way to end a wonderful, wonderful year,” Tabuchi said to a nearly sold-out audience.
The Missourian Award is given as a way to honor individuals who have gone above and beyond the call of duty for the betterment of their communities and state in either civics, business, arts or politics.
One of the many charities Tabuchi is a supporter of is the Make-A-Wish Foundation, which he gives considerable donations to each Christmas season.
In 1994, when Slavens approached then Gov. Mel Carnahan with the idea, Carnahan agreed with the concept and the award was born. To qualify for the Missourian Award, individuals must be born in Missouri or under exceptional circumstances may qualify by having spent at least 15 years of their adult lives in the state. Tabuchi, who was born in Japan, has performed in Branson for the last 16 years.
“As far as I’m concerned, when you came to town you put Branson on the map,” Slavens said to Tabuchi.
Other individuals that have been given the award since 1994 include President Harry S. Truman, John Q. Hammons, George Washington Carver, Buck O’Neil, Walt Disney, Walter Cronkite and Jack Buck.
Tabuchi gave credit to his wife, Dorothy, for the award. “This award also belongs to someone who has always been behind me in everything I have done,” Tabuchi said. “That someone is my wife, Dorothy.”
Tabuchi was also honored with the “Foreign Ministers’ Award” by the Japanese government in May, and was asked to play for President Bush and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at the White House in August.
Information provided by Branson Daily News