OneNewsNow.com - Features

The Branson Brothers – a 'Branson Brand' in family-friendly entertainment

Randall Murphree - Guest Columnist - 6/13/2009 4:00:00 AM

When I use the phrase "family friendly," it could describe just about every attraction and every show in Branson, Missouri -- arguably the nation's cleanest, safest venue for family vacation fun. If I talk about "a family on-stage together," that probably still covers over half of the music shows in town.

The Branson Brothers Show, once voted Branson's Best Variety Show, is one of those family shows. The group is comprised of Jimmy and Diana Ponder (husband and wife) and Jimmy's brother David, along with Dee Allen. They perform at the God and Country Theatre in a show that features classic country, a touch of Southern Gospel, a little edge of rock, some pop tunes, a patriotic number -- something to please just about every taste in music.

What can you expect from a Branson Brothers Show? Well, a couple of my favorites included their superb rendition of the Gatlins' "All the Gold in California" and Jimmy's cover of "Tie a Yellow Ribbon." Anything they sing, they'll deliver with tight harmonies that caress the lyrics and enhance the music.

"I Can See Clearly Now" and "Listen to the Music" demonstrate their ability to shine in different genres, and you should really look forward to their heartfelt finale "Let Freedom Ring" with which they honor God and country.

The Ponders' dad was a Baptist preacher, so it's no surprise that their musical roots are deep in Gospel music. Both brothers sang in Gospel groups for years. They've still got it; you'll see, when they sing old tunes like their medley of "Let the Redeemed of the Lord Say So" and "I'm Redeemed."

I met the brothers and Dee just before showtime one night in April, and we sat down to talk awhile after the show. They were quick to extol the virtues of Branson and the blessing of working together.

"[I] came here from Nashville with a Gospel quartet I was singing in," said Jimmy, who has been in Branson since 1985. "We backed up Wally Fowler. We were the Tennessee Valley Boys. Eventually we evolved into the Branson Brothers."

In its early years, the group was composed of vocalists who were not truly related to each other. After a few years, they disbanded, then Jimmy brought the name back to life in 2006. Last season, he brought David onboard, so you might say the Ponder boys have finally made the name legit.

"Jimmy and I had been wanting to sing together for a long time," David said. "I mean, after all, we've been brothers our whole life, but we'd only got to sing together one time. I'd The Branson Brothers been praying about it for a year, and when the opportunity came up, I thought it was a good thing to do, so I came on out here."

After growing up in North Carolina, both Jimmy and David came to Branson by way of Nashville. But David didn't settle down as early as Jimmy did. He sang in Gospel quartets, performed in Vegas, produced in Nashville, traveled with the Bill Gaither Homecoming tour and won a Dove Award for one of four albums he co-produced for the Oak Ridge Boys.

"I have done many things throughout my career," Jimmy said, "but I am more excited about singing with my brother and the Branson Brothers than anything I've done in a long time."

In Nashville, David had worked with Dee, and when Jimmy called his brother to ask his recommendation for a baritone, David said, "Well, I'd get Dee Allen." So Jimmy and Dee began singing together in Branson's New South group before reviving the Branson Brothers.

Dee grew up in Nashville, the son of Duane Allen of the Oak Ridge Boys, where he said it's hard to get some attention or to find a good record deal. What made him look toward Branson?

"Banging my head against that [Nashville] wall for several years!" he said. Well, that and an invitation from Jimmy Ponder to come give it a shot in the Ozarks!

"The opportunity to come here and actually make a good living from singing was really a Godsend," Dee said. He's in his seventh season in Branson.

Diana lends a touch of contrast and class to the Branson Brothers Show. She's been performing in Branson most of her life, ever since she won a talent contest at the Presleys' Jubilee and was hired as a regular on their show as a teenager. Her voice is equally fitted to a country tune or a 1940s classic, her favorite style.

Finally, you'll get a few doses of comic relief from Perry Edenburn in his portrayal of Harley Worthit, the slapstick, comic, Ozark comedian who gives the vocalists a little breather a couple of times during the show.

"Branson is a family entertainment town," Jimmy said. "There are all kinds of things for kids and adults alike to do here," he said. "The entertainment's clean, so you can bring your little kids into shows. And there are also the attractions like Silver Dollar City and the lakes."

He also pointed out something I've been saying for some time. In a sagging economy, Branson is the perfect vacation destination for families who can drive there in a day's time from all over Middle America. All-American families entertaining America's families -- it's a good vacation plan.

Randall Murphree, a regular contributor to OneNewsNow, is editor of AFA Journal. The AFA Journal is a division of the American Family Association, the parent organization of the American Family News Network, which operates OneNewsNow.com.

Opinions expressed in 'Features' published by OneNewsNow.com are the sole responsibility of the article's author(s), or of the person(s) or organization(s) quoted therein, and do not necessarily represent those of the staff or management of, or advertisers who support the American Family News Network, OneNewsNow.com, our parent organization or its other affiliates.