Concerning the Hall of Fame
We are currently dealing with some technical issues with the gallery (or: photos) in the “Hall of Fame”. Thank you for your patience. The Hall of Fame should be updated this week.
An Entertainer’s Life
Three more shows in Branson and our second tour will begin. These five months have slipped by so fast and a lifetime has come and gone since we, as novices entered Branson’s stage.
“Experience is the best teacher” as the old proverb goes. We have experienced what it’s like to work together as a family to make our dream a reality.
Every morning the four oldest girls walk into Branson’s restaurants. The tourists and the towns-people are serenaded and given coupons to our show. We call it, “Teasers”.
We perform together at local events and churches during the day, and of course we have our show at the CIrcle B Theatre. We’ve seen so much and met the most wonderful people playing at Veteran’s events, elderly care homes, small churches… Yet, we haven’t even scratched the surface of a performing life.
RedHead Express Hall of Fame
The RedHead Express Hall of Fame displays pictures of Honorary Hall of Fame members. Every night a lucky guest becomes an honorary member of the RedHead Express.
If you are a member and do not see your name or photo, please contact us at Apryll@redheadexpress.com or you may send us a blog/ comment at http://redheadexpress.com/blog/?p=192#respond.
Please include the Honorary member’s name, and if possible, a photo of the them to verify it. We will post it on the web site as soon as possible.
When you say “Merry Christmas”
“Do you know what ‘Merry Christmas’ means?” a gentleman asked me. We had just finished our Christmas show as he asked me this question. At first I thought it seemed a silly question until I realized the deep meaning of that phrase.
“It means: Have joy for the celebration of Christ’s birth.” I replied.
His wife smiled and said, “Well, that’s the most beautiful interpretation I’ve ever heard…” Her husband turned to me and said, “There’s a deeper meaning to the phrase we use so casually.” He said, “Merry means joy but before it meant that, it actually meant peace, and faith.
“Do you remember ‘God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen’? Have you ever noticed that we don’t spell it: ‘God Rest Ye, [comma] Merry Gentlemen’ but rather, ‘God Rest Ye Merry, [comma] Gentlemen’? They are saying God rest you. Have peace, joy, and faith, Gentlemen. Why? Because Christ was born that day.”
“So when you say ‘Merry Christmas’,” he continued, “You are really saying, ‘Have peace, joy, and faith in worshipping Christ who was born.”
National Tree Celebration
It was a spectacular sight- and all I could see was the tip of the tree- as several other people struggled to peer “…through a clear, Plexiglas panel for a whiff of evergreen…”* Montana proudly donated one of their trees from the Bitterroot National Forest to be the Christmas tree for America. They have a right to be proud, for its height alone is breathtaking. It stands 78 feet tall with wide boughs giving off a fresh scent.
We met the man who loaned his semi-truck for America’s National Christmas tree when the party stopped in Branson. The owner of this massive truck was an Alaskan and we immediately fell into conversation about home. He misses Alaska sometimes, too, but he said “I feel priviledged to carry this tree to Washington.” He said, “I’ve driven this truck two years in a row for the National Christmas tree”. He said that this one “is so beautiful”.
We were privileged to sing with several other performers from Branson a couple of weeks ago. When it came into town, hundreds of people gathered to listen as we sang “O Christmas Tree” in honor of our nation’s tree.
On Thursday, December 4, 2008 the Ceremony began in Washington D.C. and the tree lit up. Several artists performed at the Ceremony from December 6th and they will continue until the 23rd. Performers include:
· “…one of country music’s most promising young stars, Rissi Palmer;
· multiple Grammy winner Jon Secada;
· popular Nashville singer/songwriter Phil Vassar.
· Washington-based dance troupe Step Afrika!
· U. S. Army Chorus’s SFC Steve Cramer appeare as Santa Claus,
· “…rounding out the show… 4-year-old singer Kaitlyn Maher, [who was] one of the ten finalists in this year’s ‘America’s Got Talent’ competition.”
· “United States Army Band “Pershing’s Own,” under the baton of Colonel Thomas Rotondi, Jr. was year’s featured service band, with The Enterprise High School Encores from Enterprise”
Links:
Ceremony Home Page: http://www.nps.gov/whho/parknews/200_lighting_of_the_national_christmas_tree_opening_ceremony.htm
* http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/11/16/MND3145AKT.DTL
History of the National Christmas tree:
http://www.nps.gov/whho/historyculture/history-of-the-national-christmas-trees.htm
Opening Ceremony Information:
http://www.nps.gov/whho/parknews/2008_lighting_of_the_national_christmas_tree_opening_ceremony.htm
Info on Ceremony performances:
http://www.nps.gov/whho/upload/2008_Schedule_Nightly_Performances.pdf
100 + 1 = Vacation
“Thank you for joining us on this historic occasion!” my Dad announced on Tuesday. The audience looked around, wondering what could be so historic about a cold night in Branson. They had no idea how imperative it was that each one of them joined us that night.
We’ve had a goal since we first played here in Branson to have 100 people at our show. When we had 100 people, we would go fishing. What else could a family from Alaska ask for?
This Tuesday, we finally hit that goal at 101 guests, and again last night at 105. Everyone was thrilled to be a part of fulfilling our goal. We have been blessed here in Branson and I know that as we continue to improve our skills and stay close as a family, the Lord will help us to succeed.
~LaRae
Schedule Update/ More Shows
Our schedule has been updated, with some dates canceled and others added. If we are going to be in your state or your area and you would like us to do a show somewhere, let us know and we’ll see if we can make it happen.
Our second tour will begin December 31st and we will tour the southern states until the first week in March. From March until December 2009, we will be back in Branson, MO at the Circle B Theatre, with short stints elsewhere such as Silver Dollar City and other local venues.
When you come to our show at the Circle B Chuckwagon Theatre, check out the other great family entertainment at our Theatre:
The Horn Family (owners of the Circle B): “Old cowboy movies and free freshly popped corn at 4:15 pm begin your Circle B Cowboy Supper and Show with the Horn family. Then a wild west shoot out leads to a fabulous meal served by our hombres. The Horns are proud to prepare the meal from scratch, serve everyone at their tables at 5 PM, bring out seconds, and begin the show! The Riders of the Circle B take the stage for sweet cowboy harmonies [and] rollicking humor.”
- Adult $33.00 (all taxes included)
- Kids age 4-12 $16.00 (all taxes included)
- Kids age 3 PB & J plate $3.80 (all taxes included)
- Kids 2 and under FREE on parents lap
BUY TICKETS: http://www.ticketmaster.com/artist/1206290
You may also call the box office at 417-336-1828, to purchase tickets.
More info: http://www.circlebchuckwagon.com/
The Wissmann Family: “Hailing from Midwest, the Wissmann Family has been team working to delight hearts and bring smiles across our nation for the past several years. Their tight vocal harmonies and bluegrasss instruments provide a powerful showcase for their close family relationships and love for Jesus Christ.”
More info: http://www.wissmannfamily.com/
You may also call the box office at 417-336-1828, to purchase tickets.
The Allen Family:
The Allen Family: “Come join the Allen Family for a Christmas party in Branson, MO, as they take you on an adventure through Christmases past. You will be thoroughly entertained by their talent and humor, and blessed as they bring you back to the real meaning of Christmas. Ticket price includes Christmas party foods which are served during portions of the show.”
Tickets (all prices include tax)
Box Office Price
$27.00 for adults
$16.00 for children (ages 4-15)
Family Pass (2 adults and 2 children) - $55.00 add $5.00 for each additional child.
You may also call the box office at 417-336-1828, to purchase tickets.
More info: http://web.mac.com/allenministries/allenministries.com/Branson.html
~LaRae
Veteran’s Week/ Christmas Show
RedHead Express is honoring “Veteran’s Week” from November 5th through the 11th, . All Veteran’s are Free. We thank you for your sacrifice, which allows us to fulfill our dreams.
Our Christmas show has begun! Join us for a Bluegrass Christmas through the 31st of December. Our show will take you on a tour of America’s Roots music that includes Bluegrass, Gospel, Old-timey, and Christmas mixed in.
~LaRae
New RedHead Express Blog!
Our website is finally up and running. By this weekend, you will be able to view our road schedules up to 2009, photos in GALLERY, post a blog, or buy tickets for our Branson shows. We would like to thank everyone for their patience in this site’s construction.
~LaRae