Isn't that just the "Cat's Pajamas"!

Branson has pretty much shed it's old reputation that it's entertainers were only country, blue grass, or older groups. The "Cat's Pajamas" is one of those new groups that have brought about a change that's very appealing to the younger crowds. (Actually Dee and I consider ourselves to be in this younger group :))

Like "SIX", "Cat's Pajamas" is a vocal band meaning they make all their music without the help of instruments. Dee and I had a wonderful evening of entertainment courtesy of these five guys.

Their blend of classic songs with a modern a cappella twist showcases their unique style which commands every audience's attention. In fact we and the rest of our audience really got into the beat and had a VERY fun time.

Here's a link to Cat's Pajamas' home page. Be sure and check them out!

Hey those guys are good!

We got to see another very entertaining Branson show this summer, the Haygoods. Hey they are very good! A family show consisting of seven brothers and one sister, the Haygoods perform a variety show that demonstrates a remarkable level of musical and dancing talent while playing 20 instruments during the show and performing many popular hits in their own unique arrangements. You won't be disappointed with this fast paced and wide ranging show. No wonder they've been entertaining Branson audiences for 19 seasons!

You can find more information about the Haygoods and their show here.

"The Shepherd of the Hills" is the story that made the Ozarks famous

After reading a few years ago "The Shepherd of the Hills", Harold Bell Wright's classic about early 20th century life in the Ozarks, we finally went to the drama where it all took place. Dee and I had front row seats in the outdoor amphitheater for this very enjoyable live play. We picked a wonderful evening with a full harvest moon rising over the Ozark mountains as the play progressed.

The drama is based on the book and follows its main story line with a few exceptions which were necessary due to time and staging constraints. As with all dramatic presentations based on a book the book was more able to develop the characters as well as their thoughts. Be that as it may, whether you've read the original work or not, I'd sure recommend putting this drama on your agenda when visiting the Branson area. It's a wonderful drama with many life lessons, action, realistic fights, and a real cabin burning. Overall it gives an idea of Ozark life over one hundred years ago.

Here's a link to the Shepherd of the Hill's homepage.

Change comes to the Maryland Mountain Room

It was time to make a few improvements to the Maryland Mountain Room. We moved the bed gives a better view of the fireplace and create a little more room overall. We also added a scarf over the bed. The hardest part was rerouting the cable through the walls to the new TV location!

Our webmaster is having a little trouble with the photo gallery program on our website so I haven't been able to upload the new look yet but here are a couple previews. We think our guests will like the new look. Now our Maryland Mountain Room guests can look at the fireplace at the foot of the bed.






Next we have some ideas for the Newport Harbor Room........

IMAX's "Hubble" is humbling!

One of my hopes is that when I get to heaven God will let me explore around HIS universe and understand a little bit as to how HE made it. Watching "Hubble" at Branson's IMAX theater gave me a little preview of what that might be like. As I watched the space telescope zoom in to distant galaxies and the "star nursery" I was just in awe. How great He is and how wonderful is His creation!

You've got to go see this movie on a big IMAX screen. In addition to "out of this world" pictures of the universe there are some of the neatest space shuttle launch and EVA photography that I've ever seen.

Here's what IMAX's web site says about it......

"Experience the gripping story - full of hope, crushing disappointment, dazzling ingenuity, bravery, and triumph – in Hubble, the seventh awe-inspiring film from the award-winning IMAX® Space Team. Through the power of IMAX®, Hubble will enable moviegoers to journey through distant galaxies to explore the grandeur and mysteries of our celestial surroundings, and accompany space-walking astronauts as they attempt some of the most difficult and important tasks in NASA’s history. The film will offer an inspiring and unique look into the Hubble Space Telescope’s legacy and highlight its profound impact on the way we view the universe and ourselves. Narrated by Leonardo DiCaprio, Hubble reunites the Space Station filmmaking team, led by Producer/Director Toni Myers. James Neihouse, Director of Photography, also doubles as the Astronaut crew trainer. Judy Carroll is Associate Producer, and Graeme Ferguson, Co-founder of IMAX and pioneer Producer of many IMAX space films, is Executive Producer. Hubble is an IMAX and Warner Bros. Pictures production, in cooperation with National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA

And here's a link to the IMAX Hubble site.

The Hamner Barber variety show is one VERY entertaining show!

One of the most enjoyable evenings we've had in Branson was when we went to see the Hamner Barber Variety Show earlier this month. What a great combination of magic, comedy, and talent it is! Jim Barber has to be the best ventriloquist we've ever seen. He left us wondering how he could possibly bend his body to make it look like he was the dummy and the dummy was the ventriloquist. He does a routine that has three parts going almost simultaneously. Don't know how he does that either.

Speaking of "don't know how he does it" the Hamner's magic has illusions that are done no where else. The night we were at the show there was a member of the audience who is one of the world's most famous magicians. This fellow gave Hamner a standing ovation after one of the particularly amazing magic tricks. Dee and I were trying to figure out the tricks all the way home to Anchor Inn on the Lake.

This is a great show that will entertain all ages. There's never a break in the action and there are surprises almost continuously. Here's a link to their web site. Hamnerbarber.com

Paul Harris is a very funny man and has a great show!

Sometimes a person just feels like he needs a laugh. If you're in Branson when that time comes you need to go to the Paul Harris show at Music City Centre. I did and I did. I don't know when I've laughed so hard. I think I laughed more than Dee but I saw her laughing a lot too and although she probably won't admit it I think she was laughing at some of the "male comedy" too.

In addition to his creative comedy, Paul demonstrated his extensive musical talent along with a strong and talented team of musicians and singers.

The night we were at his show he featured "The Voices of Glory" a group of three young siblings who were finalists on America's Got Talent. They were a very nice unexpected bonus. They say they are thinking about opening their own show in Branson someday. Here's their picture, many of you will probably recognize them.

It was a fun night of good music and good humor, patriotically presented. If you need to laugh go here!

There's Magic in Branson

We took Ty, our grandson, to the Kirby Van Burch Magic Show last week. Our most repeated comment about the show was, "How'd he do that?" Kirby kept us more or less spell bound as he moved from one illusion to the next.

How good was it? Any show that can keep a five year old awake three hours after his bed time after not having an afternoon nap is very good. Dee and I have seen some magic shows in the past but I do believe Kirby packs more into his show than I've ever seen. Several of the illusions I've never seen before. Some I have a theory as to how he might have done the trick but most of the tricks I have no clue.

This is an excellent show for all ages. We also appreciated Kirby's Christian testimony at the end of the show. Do put this show on your list! Here's a link to his web site, Kirby Van Burch

Great new show in Branson!

One of the newest shows in Branson is JEERK which is showing at the Hughes Brothers Theater. Dee and I attended last Saturday to see what it is all about. We didn't know exactly what to expect. They are billed as a "Rhythm Artist Group" and "The Ultimate Rock 'n' Rhythm Show". Well they are both and we had a great time. The packed crowd agreed in that they gave several standing ovations during and after the show.

We particularly liked the synchronized tap dancing and perfectly timed choreography as well as the humor. They take some of the most common household and industrial items and make music with them. For example they use bottles, cans, walkers, drums, grinders, and nike sneakers modified with taps. We think the younger set will really get a kick out of this show so Dee and I are definitely going to go back!!

Here is a link to their web site at Jeerk.com and here are a couple samples I found on U-tube. Sample 1, Sample 2.

By the way, their name is an acronym of the first letters of their last names.

SIX is ONE show you won't want to miss

One of the Branson shows that gets almost unanimous "thumbs up" from our Bed & Breakfast guests is SIX. Dee and I went again on February 12 for our fifth time! Next time will make SIX. So you get the idea we like it too!

The entertainers are six brothers (of a family of 10 brothers) who perform a wide variety of "musics" (you have to see the show to understand "musics") without backup band or taped music. They make all the instrumental sounds with their mouths. It may seem a little weird but without question you'll enjoy their many musical and entertainment talents.

In 2009 they were voted the fan's choice awards for best show and entertainers of the year which is no small feat in a town that has over 100 live shows. If you're in Branson for a limited amount of time this show should definitely be on your short list.

Rock ''N Roll is Here to Stay

Last night we checked out one of the new shows in Branson, Rock N Roll is Here to Stay, showing at the Branson Star Theater. Now I know the answer to our nation's energy crisis. All we need to do is tap into the energy of this show, and we'll have enough power for most of the USA! We really enjoyed the singing and dancing in this very entertaining presentation of music from the 50's, 60's and 70's. It also includes a tribute to Elvis. The show is practically non-stop transitioning smoothly from one hit to the next. It's all live music, no canned stuff. The band is excellent and even takes the vocal lead in some of the hits. If you like music from this era, you'll enjoy this show.

The Rankin Brothers season premier

Dee and I try to go to as many of the Branson shows and attractions as possible so we can help our guests decide what they want to see. The choices are so many, there are about 100 shows, and time is so short!

The 2010 Branson season is underway! Last night we went to the season premier of The Rankin Brothers Classic Music Review, now in the Caravel Theater in Branson. Mark and Matt Rankin's show was voted as the best show in 2009 by Bransonshowawards.com. In our opinion it's even better this year. Here's a link to their web site (The Rankin Brothers). They sing and play a variety of 50's, 60's,and 70's music right on with the original artists such as Elvis, Buddy Holly, The Everly Brothers, Neil Diamond, The Righteous Brothers, Simon and Garfunkel, all the way to Billy Joel, Eric Clapton and Faith Hill. They are joined in the show with a superior band and the "Rankinetts". Lots of talent and lots of energy in this two hour plus show. It's definitely one to put on your agenda!!!

Welcome to our blog!

Dee and I are frequently asked by our wonderful guests such things as what got us interested in starting a bed and breakfast?, was Anchor Inn on the Lake already a bed and breakfast when we bought it?, what is it like to be innkeepers?, what are the best shows in Branson?, what is the favorite breakfast recipe? and on and on. The answers to these and other questions like them don't really belong on our main web page, www.anchorinnonthelake.com, so we thought we'd start a blog and just add to it as we go along. So here we go.

We would like to offer our guests the opportunity to ask us what they'd like to see, if anything, in Anchor Inn on the Lake Pillow Talk and we'll try to accommodate. After all, isn't innkeeping all about accommodation? Just contact us through our website's contact us page.

Sincerely yours,

Mike Berry