For the love of Branson: Terry Wayne Sanders

How does one wear his heart on his sleeve while simultaneously having a dozen or so costume changes per day? My answer to anyone who says that’s impossible is you haven’t met Terry Wayne Sanders! Terry has been performing at Silver Dollar City for 45 glorious years and he isn’t looking to hang up his myriad of costumes anytime soon. Branson’s most iconic character actor has been a staple of nearly every one of the Ozark’s quintessential stage shows. From “Hee Haw” to the Shepherd of the Hills and even existing as a nearly permanent fixture on the Vacation Channel as I was growing up in this community, Terry embodies everything it means to be a Branson entertainer.

I’ve always felt a special kinship to Terry and his wife Dede. We share a deep love of American nostalgia that we never fail to reminisce upon when we see each other. Terry is about the only person I’ve ever been able to talk with about the legendary stories of the time Buddy Ebsen almost played the Tinman in my all-time favorite film, 1939’s “The Wizard of Oz.” And of course, Mr. Ebsen has a Silver Dollar City connection as well as characters from his iconic sitcom “The Beverly Hillbillies” filmed a few episodes there in the 1960s.

But isn’t that so appropriate to the person I am paying tribute to in this piece. Terry Sanders feels like the embodiment of a generational bridge between how the Ozarks used to be and where we are now. He’s from this part of the country after all and deeply proud of it. At five years old, Terry and his family visited Silver Dollar City and as he describes it, he found his second home. And this “journey to Oz” so to speak continued later that evening when the family saw the Shepherd of the Hills outdoor drama.

Terry isn’t alone in having his love for Branson born in these two venues. But very few get to say they became iconic performers there as well. And don’t forget Terry’s participation in the Branson Boom and the live music shows that made this town famous. After being noticed by Branson Legend Shad Heller while at SDC, Mr. Heller invited Terry to perform at his Corn Crib Theatre on the famed Highway 76 Strip. From there, he would perform alongside a veritable who’s who of the founding Branson acts including the Wilkinsons, the Braschlers and Grand Jubilee.

Needless to say, Terry has made his mark on Branson that will never be erased. He might have played characters that were the fastest draw in the West, but Terry has always been the quickest comedic mind in the Ozarks. And yet, it’s the unbridled joy for what he does that pours from every fiber of his being that has become the defining characteristic of this Renaissance performer. Like every honorable man in the Ozarks, Terry puts his family first. Terry and Dede became parents of two young men throughout their years in Branson. They love the one in heaven and they love the one still with us. And I feel like I can speak for the entire community when I say that we love YOU, Terry Sanders, and we always will!