top of page
  • Facebook
Writer's pictureLuanna Fullerton

Area Entertainment: A Garth Tribute

What an enjoyable night! Another brand new, hot show in Branson! A very personable greeting will meet you after you are sitting in your seats for the show. Anna Marie Watson will come around and visit each person, asking them about themselves. This definitely makes you feel like family from the very beginning.   



As the show gets underway, Rich Watson comes out and does a fine job of covering Garth for you. You will be taken back to the ‘80s as he starts singing. His clothes and songs fit the three most popular albums, in my opinion, that Garth did. Then he is joined onstage with his wife, Anna Marie, who does an outstanding job with her songs and duets with Rich on some songs. Anna Marie has some powerhouse vocals on her. And of course, we CANNOT forget their AWESOME BAND, the "No Fences Band." 


What an enthusiastic night of fun, memories and laughter. Rich joins the audience throughout the night, as well as Anna Marie. Who knows? You might get a hug, be sung to, or even get a dance and song all at the same time. Rich, Anna Marie, and the No Fences Band have recently been nominated for some awards for an upcoming awards night here in Branson.


What can I say about the band, but that they are outstanding on their own. Each one of them is seasoned musicians. They all have such talent and between them have over sixty-plus years of experience. They have recently been nominated for awards in the upcoming "The Best of Branson Awards." In Branson, the musicians play in several shows for many reasons and one of them is that they thoroughly enjoy and love what they do!


Now to the dirt and grit, let's spend some time getting to know each of them. I asked each of them these questions so that you could get into their lives just a bit. I think the musicians know when I'm in the audience and say, "Oh my gosh, here she comes with all the questions again...!!"  Ha Ha!

1.      Where are you from and how long have you been in the Branson area?

2.      What is a memorable song that you like to perform?

3.      Who would you like to have a meal or jam session with (alive or dead)?

4.      What has been one of your biggest accomplishments?

5.      Is there any instrument that you don't play that you wished you could play?


Rich Watson:

1.     I was born as a military brat in Charleston, SC.  Then the Navy moved us to Oregon, and I finished my teenage years in Missouri. I then enlisted and served in the Army—being stationed at Ft. Benning, Georgia, then to Ft. Ord, California. I am a PROUD USA native and glad to call it home. I came to Branson in 2004, and God hasn't stopped showing me His love and mercy since.   

2.     2.  I actually have two. “We Shall Be Free” by Garth Brooks: to me it's a message of love of God's creation without condemnations. Also, the duet that is Garth's and Trisha's, "Where Your Road Leads." Anna Maria and I also duet this in our show. When we sing together, it's like time stands still and nothing else exists in that moment. But then everything else that happens during the show is all about the audience.    

3.     Well, of course Garth and Trisha. But also, Chris Ladoux, my band, Garth's band, John Fullerton, and most of all my sister, Sherri, who taught me to sing harmonies. She passed away at 20 years old in 1983. I was 14 at the time. Her last words to me were, "I love you and don't ever stop singing."   

4.     Not allowing the worldly things tell me I can't, and not allowing my past to determine my future. I've had the privilege of working with some of the best soldiers, correctional officers and musicians. But being able to realize our own dream of having one of the best new shows in my humble opinion and bands is the very best!    

5.     I would love to learn the bagpipes. I mean who wouldn't want to play a good bagpipes song?


Anna Marie Watson:

  1.  I am from Fayetteville, AR. I have been in Branson since June 2000. I was brought to Branson to be in the original show, "Promise" and "Two From Galilee."

  2. I like the duet song that Rich and I sing together, "Where Your Road Leads." My first performance with that song was while I was a sophomore in high school, and I've been singing it since, and I still love it just as much. The message of it never gets old.   

  3. I would love to have a jam session with Celine Dion.   

  4. Rich and I are living our best accomplishment by doing this show together. I have been blessed to be a part of many things, but this one we have been waiting for since we have been together.     

  5. I wished that I could play the cello; I really like it.


Jerry Shapiro - Fiddle/Vocals:

  1.  I came to Branson in February 2015. I was born and raised in El Paso, TX.

  2.  It's a toss-up between, "The Ashoken Farewell" and "Lonesome Fiddle Blues."

  3.  Our trio, "Riversong" performed as guest artists with "The El Paso Symphony Orchestra" a long time ago. 

  4. Thirty years of loving marriage to my beautiful wife, Terry. And being the best husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather that I can be.

  5. I wished that I could play the guitar...like Mark Boyd does!

 

Mark Boyd - Lead Guitar/Vocals:

  1. I'm from Henrietta, TX and been here since 1991. Neil McCoy had a big hand in me deciding to move here.

  2. There are so many great songs of different styles. It's really hard to say any I like in particular. I like different styles of music, so there are many well liked.

  3. I would like to jam with Eric Clapton to start, and many others after that.

  4. Playing at the "Grand Ole Opry" and being a part of the Nashville Roadhouse Live on NBC network.

  5. I'm pretty happy with what I play.

 

Ray Marlar - Bass:

  1. I'm from Cabot, AR.  I've been here since 1998. Music is what had a hand in bringing me here.

  2. I love to play on the piano the song, "On The Street Where You Live."

  3. I would love to have a jam session with Jesus of Nazareth.

  4. My biggest accomplishment is being married to my wonderful wife, Deborah.

  5. I really wished that I could play the violin.

 

Paul Oney - Drums:

  1. I'm from Independence, MO. I came here in 1986 for a year, then moved to Las Vegas, NV, until I moved back to Branson in February 1990.

  2. I love the song, "Can't You See" by the Marshall Tucker Band.

  3. I would love to eat and jam with ELVIS! 

  4. I get to play music for a living, and I love it!

  5. I would like to have learned piano.

 

Darrel Croy - Keys/Vocals:

  1.  I'm from Advance, MO, and came to Branson in 1987.

  2.  The song that my mother and sister wrote in 1960, "No Greater Love For Me"

  3.  I would like to have a meal with Patrick Mahomes.

  4.  I have accomplished surviving in the music business for 50 years now.

  5.  I am happy with the instrument I play now.

 

You can find A Garth Tribute on social media. Also, to see schedule and get tickets, visit God and Country website, and look for "A Garth Tribute" or swing by the box office, 1840 W. Highway 76, phone 417-334-6806

 

You will not be disappointed in this high quality show.

17 views0 comments

Recent Posts

See All

Comments


bottom of page