The Baldknobbers, the first show in Branson. Depending on the time that you choose decides if you are in for the vintage or modern. Let me explain. The Vintage has music from the ‘70s and ‘80s including that of country, Southern Gospel and comedy. The modern you will hear more high energy country, traditional country, classic rock and pop, Gospel and comedy.
At this time of the year, they have also added Christmas music according to the platform. In both shows they honor our military and veterans. Due to the different platforms is the reason of the two-part series. My husband John and I attended the modern show and we both enjoyed it very much. This show has a special connection to John, as his great-grandfather 'Chick Allen' was one of the founding members. Brandon was so kind to acknowledge John from the stage on this. Brandon is a third generation performing Baldknobber. They have a display at The Smithsonian Museum.
This show is just exactly what it states about "High Energy!" It is full of music, comedy, fast pace, lots of costume changes and just plain fun. The show is just outstanding, and you will be enthralled in the energy, lights, sound and overall greatness. You are able to get an intermission to visit and purchase some outstanding merchandise or to partake in some wonderful concessions. At the end of the show the cast will visit and take pictures with you. There was a good, fun crowd to enjoy all the antics and music. The theatre is set up that there is a great view from any seat in the house. In this first part, I am highlighting the entertainers themselves. I was able to get them to indulge me in my inquisitive questions and they came through for us to read about them. So, let's get to the nitty gritty.
Questions:
1. Where are you from and how long in the Branson area?
2. What or who influenced you to get into show business?
3. What has been a memorable moment for you while performing?
4. What is a dream or goal that you have?
5. What is a funny moment that you've had?
Brandon Mabe
1. Born and raised in Nixa, MO. That being said, I've probably spent more time in Branson than Nixa. My grandpa (Jim Mabe aka Droopy Drawers) was one of the original four Mabe Brothers that started the Baldknobbers. I basically grew up in the Baldknobbers Theatre.
2. My family. I grew up idolizing my grandpa, my dad and all of my family onstage. From a vocalist standpoint, I would say I was most influenced by Dennis Mabe. I try to emulate his charisma, grit and even his growl. He could sing anything. I still sing some of the songs I remember him singing from my childhood when we perform our Baldknobbers' Vintage Show. From an emcee standpoint I'm probably a cross between my uncle Tommy Bilyeu, Gene Dove and Bob Leftridge. They had the unique ability to act as a straight man with the comedians and keep the show flowing. It was amazing how they had the audience eating out of the palm of their hands. I tried to pick pieces of each of them and then mix it with my own personality and skill sets. I guess what you see from me today is the result of that.
3. I have so many memorable moments, so it's very tough to choose. What I love most when I perform is, without a doubt, performing and singing with my wife, Megan. Her talent still blows me away every time I hear her sing. I love watching my kids learn the business and watching them work behind the scenes. I love seeing smiling faces in the audience and knowing that we are helping them forget all of their worries, if only for a moment.
4. I honestly feel like I am living my dream right now. I love performing. I love my family's legacy with the Baldknobbers. I just want to keep that going as long as possible. Maybe throw in a performance on the Grand Ole Opry before I die, and I'll die a happy man.
5. We've all had moments of falling, forgetting lyrics, accidentally dropping/throwing microphones, etc. One time the cast played a prank on Bob Leftridge that I will never forget. My grandpa always used to bring Bob his guitar for a certain segment of the show and then take it back off stage when Bob finished. Bob had a very nice Martin guitar that was quite expensive. One night my grandpa got a cheap "knock-off" guitar to play a prank on Bob. When Bob wasn't looking, my grandpa switched out guitars after he took it from Bob to leave the stage. As he was leaving, he tripped up the stairs landing on the prop guitar, smashing it into pieces. Unaware of the prank, Bob was stunned and speechless. The audience, of course, laughed uncontrollably. Bob didn't learn about the prank until after he left the stage. All in good fun, of course.
I would like to share that I grew up loving sports as well as music. After graduating from Nixa High School, I went on to play basketball and golf for Evangel University in Springfield, MO. I graduated Evangel University with a degree in marketing and business management. I joined the Baldknobbers' cast during my senior year of college, and as they say, "The rest is history!" I have four kids: Broden (18), Jalyn (17), Carter (15), and Wyatt (15). I'm just unbelievably proud of my family legacy with the Baldknobbers. I'm honored to be caring for the tradition with my wife and kids...hopefully, for many more years to come. Our entire cast and crew are truly the 'Best of the Best!' They are great people on and off the stage. We (I say "we" because it truly takes all of us) couldn't be carrying on this great Baldknobbers' legacy without their talents and dedication to the show. We are just incredibly grateful and blessed.
Megan Mabe
1. I am from Pella, IA. It's a Dutch community, rich with Dutch Heritage. My own slice of heaven on earth! It's a Hallmark movie in real life! I have been in the Branson area for 14 years.
2. My parents have always been my biggest supporters! They have ALWAYS pushed me to pursue my love of music! They are, and always have been my biggest fans! Even when I decided to pursue my English and Journalism degree, they never flinched. They have always pushed me to follow whatever makes me happy!
3. The first night Brandon and I sang together as husband and wife. To hear him announce me as Megan Mabe, his wife, was a really special moment. To do what you love with the person you love most in the world is truly a blessing. Recognizing my own fairytale coming true was certainly a moment I'll carry forever.
4. I aim to never let a show go by without blessing someone. Our job allows us to give our audience members joy, happiness and a momentary relief from life's troubles. It allows us to share the gospel, sometimes with folks who are hearing God's word for the first time. I am determined to always use the ability God gave me to continue spreading his love and making the world a better, brighter place!
5. When I first came to Branson, I started singing for the Shoji Tabuchi Show. It was an amazing experience, and as a green Iowa gal, I learned a TON! During one performance, we had a bunch of pyrotechnics going off behind us for the final patriotic number. One misfired into my skirt, and I literally started on fire. Luckily, my skirt had multiple layers. I was put out with a fire extinguisher, and the skirt stood as a testament to why we had the rule - "NO HAIRSPRAY BEFORE THE FINALE!"
Ashley Dawn
1. I'm from Buffalo, MO. I moved to Branson in 2017.
2. I started singing in church, my dad was the pastor, and my mom was the piano player. I just loved music and singing, so it came to me naturally. My parents helped to cultivate my talent and dedication to music. I remember watching CMT as a kid and I wanted to be on there! I met Tommy Overstreet when I was nine years old. I had won a talent contest, and one of the prizes was getting to sing at Tommy Overstreet's Opry in Warsaw, MO. He continued to invite my sister and I back to sing on his stage and eventually took us under his wing and took us to Nashville for the first time and helped us cut our first album at ten and twelve years old! So, he was a great help and influence to me in the beginning. My siblings and I eventually started a Southern Gospel trio named, “The Praters." We toured the country doing about 200 concerts a year as teenagers.
3. A memorable moment while performing that sticks out in my mind: While singing the National Anthem at the PBR Rodeo, a CBS cameraman came in front of me and it was at that moment that I realized I was going to be on national TV, which made me almost mess up! Talk about PRESSURE!
4. My dream has always been to just be able to share the gift of music and talent that God gave me. Whatever that looks like, from singing on the worship team at church to singing in an arena in front of thousands. It's what I was born to do, and I'm so thankful God has allowed me to always have a platform to do it.
5. I've had a few funny moments over the years! One that I sure didn't find funny until later, but rather embarrassing at the moment, was completely blanking on the lyrics to a song and having to wait until the chorus to start singing. Sharing the stage with my best friends in Branson's Famous Baldknobbers Show always brings about funny moments, but are mostly things only we as a cast notice. It makes performing with them all the more fun.
I don't just sing country music, I live country life and I love it! My husband and I have a small cattle ranch. I have lots of chickens and love being outdoors. I love to hunt and garden. Vocalist with the Missouri National Guard's 135th Army Band.
Shane VanCamp
1. I am from Nashville AR, by the way of Nashville, TN. I have been here for eight years now.
2. I've always loved music for as long as I can remember, but once I met Glen Campbell, I knew for sure that's what I wanted to do.
3. Getting to sing with big celebrities such as Mickey Gilley and so forth.
4. I'm basically living my dream. And, I just hope to continue to be blessed by getting the opportunity to share the stage with such talented people.
5. Gosh, I can't name just one. Whether it's accidentally dropping my microphone in the middle of my song, or falling down the stairs, or getting cracked up with the rest of the cast mid-song! LOL..!
I would share that most people don't know that I am an actor as well, and I have been on national TV.
Paul May aka "Mayham"
1. I am from a little town called Weaubleau, MO. I have been commuting into Branson from Springfield, MO, for three years now.
2. I was voted class clown in school, so I did not want to let my classmates down by not pursuing a career in entertainment.
3. I would say it is just a collection of little moments when we bring up a couple of guests on stage, and Brandon Mabe and I do an improv bit where they have to move us through a scenario that the audience gives us. You just never know what you are gonna get, and it always results in hilarity.
4. I would love to be in a feature film sometime, and try out my acting chops on the big screen.
5. My wife works at a chiropractor's office. One day I went in there with my video rolling and did something silly. I posted it on social media and it got over 4 million views. I titled it, "Embarrassing my wife at the office!" I am now at Episode 42. LOL..!
You can follow them on social media at Branson's Famous Baldknobbers on Facebook and Instagram. They have a website at Baldknobbers.com
You can get your tickets at The Hughes Brothers Theatre located at 3425 W. 76 Country Blvd. Call 417-231-4999.
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