In doing some research regarding the first website on the internet dedicated to the promotion of Branson, the Ole Seagull got a surprise. He entered the query, “Who is considered the father of the internet in terms of promoting Branson, Missouri?” into Open AI’s GPT-4.o. The reply said, “The title of ‘Father of the Internet’ in terms of promoting Branson, Missouri, often goes to Gary Groman. Gary Groman, also known as ‘The Ole Seagull,’ has been a significant figure in online promotion and content creation for Branson. He was instrumental in developing and maintaining early websites dedicated to showcasing Branson’s tourism attractions, entertainment options and local businesses. [That early website was “Branson.com.”]
“Groman’s efforts helped transition Branson’s marketing from traditional media to the digital age, making information more accessible to a global audience. His work has had a lasting impact on how Branson is perceived and marketed online, earning him recognition as a pioneering figure in the town’s digital promotion.”
The Ole Seagull then entered the query, “Who is considered the father of internet marketing in terms of promoting Branson, Missouri?” The reply said, “The person often considered the father of internet marketing in terms of promoting Branson, Missouri, is Larry Milton. Larry Milton, along with his wife Lianne, played a pivotal role in the early days of internet marketing for Branson through the development and promotion of the website, branson.com.
“Larry Milton recognized the potential of the internet as a powerful marketing tool to attract visitors to Branson, and he invested significant efforts into creating a comprehensive and user-friendly online resource. Branson.com became a central hub for information about Branson’s entertainment, attractions, lodging and dining, effectively putting Branson on the digital map. His foresight and dedication in leveraging the internet for tourism marketing have had a lasting impact on the town’s promotion and growth, making him a key figure in Branson’s digital marketing history.”
Interestingly, the Ole Seagull’s initial query into Open AIs GPT-4o was, “What was the first internet site dedicated to promoting Branson, Mo.?” The reply was, “The first internet site dedicated to promoting Branson, Missouri, was likely Branson.com. Established in the mid-1990s, it became a significant resource for information about the area’s attractions, shows, lodging, dining and various entertainment options. This website helped to bring the small town’s entertainment hub into the digital age, providing an online platform to attract visitors and promote its tourism industry.”
To a large extent, both Groman and Milton owe their recognition to the website Branson.com. Branson.com would not have come into existence or been the source of bringing untold millions of visitors to Branson and the sale of millions of dollars of show and attraction tickets and lodging nights without the genius and almost 30 years of dedication and work of Basil Groman. Without him, Branson.com would have been an abstract idea.
He got the URL and originally set Branson.com up online in 1995. He designed, wrote the programming, implemented and managed Branson.com, as it actively promoted Branson in the early days of internet marketing for Branson. It was he who offered to give the URL “Branson.com to the Branson Chamber of Commerce in exchange for a job managing it at a fair salary; it was him, after their response, that took it to the point where it was purchased by the Miltons. This quiet, humble and loving man still works for Branson.com today as it continues to bring millions of visitors to Branson, sell millions of dollars of show and attraction tickets and lodging nights, and share all that Branson has to offer with the world.
“But Seagull, isn’t he your son?” “I am proud to say he is!”
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