This week we welcome back to our stage Motown favorites, Doo Wop & The Drifters!
Branson's "Doo-Wop & the Drifters" reminds us that long before there was hip-hop, there was doo-wop, and these talented entertainers bring back that delightfully catchy sound with style!
This show celebrates the music, the moves, and the contagious grooves of a genre that nobody can resist! In addition to classics from The Drifters, like Up on the Roof, Save the Last Dance for Me, and Under the Boardwalk; you'll enjoy the songs made famous by legends like Jerry Butler, Tina Turner, The Cadillacs, Etta James, Aretha Franklin, and others. Derek Ventura, from the 1972 Drifters, will take you down memory lane with Drifter classics.
Adding to the irresistible atmosphere of the performance are the polished, synchronized dance steps and the requisite colorful matching suits that perfectly accompany the smooth vocal styling of the exceptionally talented singers.
At home in an intimate theater setting that brings the show up-close-and-personal, discover the finger-snappin' music from the 50's, 60's, and 70's that'll have you tapping your feet and dancin' in the aisles, performed by the artists that know it best...you won't find it done like this anywhere but at "Doo-Wop & the Drifters!"
This talented group is performing road shows all across the Midwest. For more information visit DooWopAndDrifters.com.
It's a double-header this week as we also welcome, Matt Gumm, from the Clay Cooper Country Express!
Matt Gumm literally grew up around variety shows at Lake of the Ozarks, so at the age of 30, he takes to the stage like a seasoned pro. Of course, growing up with Thom "Gabby" Gumm as your dad & mentor didn't hurt. In fact, he learned so well, Matt was added to the Main Street Opry act at the age of seven.
Long before that, though, he seemed to know what he was going to do with his life. His mom Sandy will tell you that he spent everyday up on his bed, with a make-shift curtain that hung from the ceiling, with wigs and props doing his "show". It was in these very early years that a family friend thought it would be "funny" to buy Matt a toy set of drums. Well, the joke was on him, because Matt started playing those things and he was a natural! All that practice may have been painful at times for the family, but it definitely paid off.
While in High School, Matt was the only student chosen out of his class to attend the Missouri Fine Arts Academy because he excelled in Music, Art & Drama. Fresh out of high school, Matt spent 5 years developing his own reputation as a gifted comedian and musician on the stage of the long-running Lee Mace's Ozark Opry in Osage Beach, Missouri. Once again, his family ties drew him back to work along side his dad and mom at the Main Street Opry in Osage Beach. There he honed not only his comedy skills with his dad, but he came into his own with his impersonations. He's brought the house down with his take on such artists as Garth Brooks, Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, Tony Bennett, Rod Stewart & Sammy Davis, Jr., just to mention a few.
Clay Cooper caught his act and knew he wanted to be the first to introduce Matt to Branson. Currently, he is the craziest addition to Clay Cooper's Country Express where you can experience Matt's family friendly, high-energy fun, visual humor, and surprising abilities on some unusual instruments. When he's not performing, he enjoys spending time with his wife Katie, daughter Norah Sue, and son Nash.
You don't want to miss Clay Cooper and his Live Band, 10 Dancers, vocal trio Third Power, and comedian Matt! He also features outstanding youth en
