'Making Dreams Come True Award' honors local tribute musician

Wednesday, October 9, was a special day for Branson tribute artist Dan Wagner, whose Johnny Cash Tribute is a regular part of the show lineup at Jerry Presley’s God & Country Theater on 76 Country Blvd. in Branson. 

A series of birthday surprises for Wagner wrapped up with the gift of a guitar, presented during the afternoon performance of the Carpenters Once More Show. The guitar was significant as it represents 300 consecutive guitars given during Wagner’s show as gifts from his family and cast to “share music with the world” and “make dreams come true.” Several reviews of Wagner’s Johnny Cash tribute have mentioned the guitar giveaway as being a special moment or shared how the unexpected gift helped change a life and start someone on their own musical path. 

Along with the guitar, Wagner was also presented with the “First Annual Cora & Ella Wagner Making Dreams Come True Award.” This award, slated to become part of the annual Terry Awards in Branson in 2025, honors the life of Cora Wagner and the ongoing commitment of Cora’s sister Ella and other family members to sharing dreams and music. 

In accepting the award, Wagner shared briefly but emotionally about Cora, who died tragically in an accident, and how she and Ella inspired him to follow his own dreams in pursuing the idea of the Johnny Cash Tribute Show. Wagner also expressed thanks to Diana Lynn, who performs as Karen Carpenter in the Carpenters Once More tribute and, together with her husband who performs as Neil Diamond, coordinated the surprise and the presentation. 

The award was yet another tangible expression of the feeling of family among Branson performers as they often support one another and collaborate on special events, with the entire God & Country cast from several shows in on the surprise arrangements. Check out the remaining 2024 scheduled dates for Wagner as Johnny Cash, Diana Lynn and Wes Larson as Karen and Richard Carpenter, Keith Allynn in “A Neil Diamond Tribute” and several other excellent artist tribute shows, by visiting https://godandcountrytheaters.com.