YOU CAN HELP SELECT THE PERFORMERS AND SHOWS THAT WILL WIN THE 2005 BRANSON CRITIC AWARDS.

THE NOMINATION PROCESS IS DONE BY REVIEWS THAT ARE SUBMITTED. THAT PROCESS IS IS DONE FOR THIS YEAR.

HOWEVER, NOW YOU CAN SEE THE NOMINATIONS AND VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITES. THE PEOPLE WILL CHOSE THE WINNERS.

THE AWARDS WILL BE HANDED OUT OVER THANKSGIVING AT THE SHOWS.

TO VOTE AND SEE SOME GREAT REVIEW GO TO WWW.BRANSONCRITIC.ORG

I don't understand how this thing works. I sent in postive reviews for several shows in Branson that I enjoyed and none of them were on the nomination list. I love Shoji Tabuchi and Andy Williams yet some entertainers I've never heard of made the nominations. I've been to Branson over 5 times and I don't even know who Amanda is. Is this a new show in town?

Amanda is a singer in one of the shows at the white house theatre.

It is strange that some of the bigger shows and performers are not on the list, but let me explaine why.

The ones on the list are deternimed by submitted reviews of shows and performers. over the course of the year, the Branson Critic website manager keeps a log of the positive reviews of shows and performers. At the end of the year the shows that received the most positive reviews are listed as the nominations.

Many of the best known shows in town do not have reviews submitted about them.

However, I do not think that we should be discouraged. I have seen over 100 Branson Shows. I would say that most of the nominations are the best in twon. Just because your not famous, does not mean you aren't a great show or performer.

Writing reviews and getting as many friends as possible to write one for the same thing seems more like a popularity contest than a true depiction of the "BEST" show, performer, etc.

It's hard for me to see validity in a contest that doesn't include the likes of Andy Williams, Shoji, Mickey Gilley among the contestants.

You guys should try some of the lesser name shows and find out why fans were so involved in the vote fot the 2005 Branson critic awards. You are missing some great shows.Our kudos to Doug Lori and Heath of the Branson critic for a job well done.

I think it also has a lot to do with the age groups. Even though many people who visit Branson would happily vote for Shoji Tabuchi, Andy Williams, etc. they won't because they don't even own a computer. The HEAVY majority of the people who visit Branson are 65+. They are retired and if they do have a computer, odds are they aren't familiar enough with the Internet to even get one, must less find, a place like Branson Critic to vote for their favorite show. I think the results are indicitive of the younger families that visit Branson during the summer. For example, have you ever been to the Haygoods or Darren Romeo? How many bushy white-haird people do you see? Sure there are a few--but the majority are the younger folks who get online and are the cause of results such as these.

Personally, I don't think you can go off of any online 'review system' because it is already biased against those old folks who don't have a computer or who don't go online to vote.

[quote="love2travel!"]I think it also has a lot to do with the age groups. Even though many people who visit Branson would happily vote for Shoji Tabuchi, Andy Williams, etc. they won't because they don't even own a computer. The HEAVY majority of the people who visit Branson are 65+. They are retired and if they do have a computer, odds are they aren't familiar enough with the Internet to even get one, must less find, a place like Branson Critic to vote for their favorite show. I think the results are indicitive of the younger families that visit Branson during the summer. For example, have you ever been to the Haygoods or Darren Romeo? How many bushy white-haird people do you see? Sure there are a few--but the majority are the younger folks who get online and are the cause of results such as these.

Personally, I don't think you can go off of any online 'review system' because it is already biased against those old folks who don't have a computer or who don't go online to vote.[/quote]

I know the marketing manager for the shows at music city centre and the haygoods. According to her over 80% of the people who come to the show are over 55. They host hundreds of bus tours of 65 year old plus people every year. Sure younger people have more access to the internet and you are right about the results having everything to do with that, but you are not right about the Haygoods having kids in the majority. Not even close.....

I think the Awards are valid. Besides that, we had a great time presenting them. If you have ever seen any of the winners perform you will understand how deserving they were.

Doug and I presented 7 Branson Critic Awards live on stage last week to the winners. They are all great shows and they were all very honored.

I would debate anyone who says that Soji is any better or harder working than the Haygood. I am both exausted and excited when I leave the Haygoods. When I leave some shows with older audiences I am either tired or even refreshed from the nap I got during the show. Just because the audience may be a little younger does not mean it is not a good show. If we do not want Branson to die then it is going to have to make an effort to reach out to a younger crowd. That crowd is online to make plans before they get there. Branson Critic offers their readers the chance to see what "normal" people thought about the shows and attractions, not just what the shows say.

Personally, If I only had $50-$60 per person to spend on Branson shows, I would want to use it wisely. Rather than blow it on one show with a $40 ticket price (you know who I mean), I would buy two tickets to shows like the Haygood, Hanmer Barber or Comedy Pet Theatre and have AT LEAST twice the fun. Just my openion. Plus, most of the big stars hid behind stage and do not sign autographs. Any of the Branson Critic winners are more than happy to meet their fans.

We agree Heath thank you for everything that you and Doug do to promote Branson with the Branson Critic and thanks for helping to peak interest in the small shows with the awards.

Thank you both for what you do for Branson on the Bransoncritic board. I just wish I could have been at Tonys show when he got the award for Best Performer!

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THE WINNERS!!