Branson, MO: Las Vegas of the Ozarks [Hardcover]

Henry Horenstein (Author), Alanna Nash (Introduction), Lennon Sisters (Foreword), The Lennon Sisters (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 5, 1998

In the first book to capture the magic of the Branson experience, renowned photographer Henry Horenstein documents the stars, theaters, town, and fans (along with their buses!) in glorious color photographs and enlightening text and captions.

Branson, Missouri, a tiny town buried deep in the Ozark Mountains, has become the live entertainment capital of the United States. Last year alone, more than 5 million fans flocked to Branson's thirty huge celebrity theaters built by performers such as Andy Williams, Johnny Cash, and Conway Twitty.

Second only to Disney World in number of visitors annually, Branson happened because a couple of old guitar pickers like Box Car Willie and Roy Clark got tired of the grind of the road and set up shop in this beautiful but sleepy neck of the woods. Other acts, finding it too expensive to tour (even if the audience was there to support them), followed suit. Like magic, legions of fans in cars, RVs, and tour buses started to appear.

An expected 9 million people will pack up Grandma and the kiddies and head to Branson this year for some wholesome entertainment the way many Americans remember it.

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

Branson, Missouri, a tiny town buried deep in the Ozark Mountains, has become the live entertainment capital of the United States. More than 5 million fans have flocked to its thrity huge celebrity theaters annually to see the likes of Andy Williams, Bobby Vinton, Barbara Mandrell, and the Lennon Sisters.

In the first book to capture the magic and excitement of the Branson experience, renowned photographer Henry Horenstein documents the town, the stars, the theaters, and the fans (as well as their tour buses!) in glorious color photographs.

An entertainment mecca that rivals Las Vegas and Disney World in number of visitors annually, Branson happened because of a couple of old guitar pickers like Boxcar Willie and Roy Clark got tired of the grind of the road and set up shop in this beautiful but sleepy neck of the woods. Other acts, finding it too expensive to tour--even if the audience was there to support them--followed suit. Like magic, legions of fans in cars, RVs, and tour buses started to appear.

The future looks even brighter: An expected 9 million people will pack up the family, from Grandma to the kids, and head to Branson for some wholesome entertainment the way many Americans remember it. Why not join them in Branson, MO?

About the Author

Henry Horenstein is a photographer, author, and teacher. He has written and illustrated more than twenty books for adults and children, including the classic texts Black & White Photography, Beyond Basic Photography, and Color Photography, as well as the photo-essay Racing Days. He teaches photography and illustration at the Rhode Island School of Design and lives in Boston.

The singing Lennon Sisters of Lawrence Welk fame live and work in Branson, MO.

Journalist Alanna Nash has written extensively on country music and popular culture. She lives in Louisville, Kentucky.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 112 pages
• Publisher: Artisan (January 5, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1885183852
• ISBN-13: 978-1885183859
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 9 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,078,687 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Henry Horenstein is a widely published and exhibited professional photographer and the author of more than two dozen books, including the classic texts Black & White Photography and Beyond Basic Photography, and monographs such as Honky Tonk, Animalia, Show, Close Relations, and Racing Days. Horenstein is professor of photography at the Rhode Island School of Design. You can see his work at www.horenstein.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Makes a great gift!, August 24, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Branson, MO: Las Vegas of the Ozarks (Hardcover)

I bought this book for my grandmother, who loves country music and who has visited Branson, for her birthday. She absolutely loved it! The pictures in the book are really colorful and fun to look at. I recommend this book for hard-to-shop-for friends and relatives, especially country music lovers.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars best guide, August 23, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Branson, MO: Las Vegas of the Ozarks (Hardcover)

Indicates trends, Branson has re-invented itself,doesnt want to lose to Myrtle Beach