I heard Ray Stevens has sold his theater and won't be in town next year. Anybody know who's going in there?

Take this for what it's worth... probably not much, but since this is the gossip part of the board.

I visit several Branson related message boards and a day or two ago I saw a post on one of them that said Mel Tillis was involved in the purchase. Nothing but message board rumor and gossip, could be true or could be way off, time will tell.

I had heard that too. I wonder if Mel is coming back to perform again or if he's just going to use it as an investment property. Maybe for his daughter? Who knows.....

I recently spoke to the man who is responsible for much of the revitalization of Branson. He stated that Ray Stevens was not returning next year. He is also unhappy with the Branson Landing that is planned downtown. He feels (and I agree with him) that this is taking away from what Branson has been and meant to so many people, that down home country feeling. So many of the old part of Branson will soon be gone, and it will be just another tourist town I am afraid. Also the people who are involved in this project are actually from Australia!!!!!

if it is true, I kind of wondered the same thing... why? he's left once saying something about wanting to slow down from doing a show every night. with all the kids he has in show business maybe he could be trying to put something together for them.

then again you also wonder if the theater was *sold*... not for sale but sold, why some announcement hasn't been made.

Branson continues to envolve. It defintely isn't what it used to be anymore and it will never return to what it was with that "down home country feeling." Unfortunately, things are always changing all around us and Branson will continue to change with it. I just hope it doesn't change in a negative way....

Any new news on the sale of the Ray Stevens theatre? Also, has anyone heard if he is doing any shows in 2006?

Haven't heard a thing about it. Anyone know what's going in there?

*bump*

been a couple of months since the last post in this thread.

is Ray's old theater still empty or has there been any announcements made as to something going in there?

For the curious: Ray Stevens theater will probably sit vacant this year. The deal fell through for this year and it's empty and will likely stay that way until next year.

Did Ray Stevens actually sell the theatre? Or was it sold and the new owners weren't able to get a show in there for 2006?
I'm just curious as I always thought that was a comfortable theatre and always enjoyed the shows we saw there.

Ray still owns it. Wouldn't plan on anything until next year for shows.

Thank you for the information. I appreciate any news on Branson as if I don't have any contacts in or near Branson and we don't find out much Branson news here.

The former Ray Stevens Theatre is now the RFD-TV Theatre. They opened in March 2007 with two Willie Nelson concerts.

The former Ray Stevens Theatre is now the RFD-TV Theatre. They opened in March 2007 with two Willie Nelson concerts.

Here's the link for RFD-TV

http://www.rfdtv.com/

This is the link for the concerts at the RFD theater.

http://www.rfdtv.com/Theater/nationalacts.asp