Vasken’s Deli: A Hidden Gem

Posted May 16, 2012 by Steve
Categories: Branson Dining
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I am asked nearly daily to recommend a good place to eat in Branson. I almost always send people to Vasken’s Deli. Vasken’s is an anomaly. They do not spend a bundle on advertising. They have a terrible location, in that they are off the strip, hard to find. Their sign is small, not much larger than a rummage sale sign. They are only open through the afternoon, and close just before dinner. Their deli is small, even cramped. Yet, Vasken’s is successful.

Located near the front of an office park at 1015 Hwy 248, Vasken’s seems to thrive on good word of mouth. When I eat their, which as not as often as I would like, I try to arrive around 11:30 or after 2 to avoid the rush. The place is always packed, mostly with regulars. The line to the counter during lunch is inevitably backed up to the door, and guests don’t mind the wait; it is worth it. One can always count on seeing friends in the place, or even a few stars. A couple of the Liverpool Legends, for example, are regulars. As the food is prepared in front of you, it is not unusual for staff and guests to become well acquainted, so hellos from the staff are sincere, and served with a smile.

Service is quick. Order at the counter, take a number, choose a table, fix your drink at the fountain, and your food is delivered to your table. Not only is the food served quickly, but it is always good. Vasken’s food is simple, affordable, tastes great, and is consistent. Vasken specializes in Greek food. For example, on a recent visit, I enjoyed the special, curry chicken salad, and my wife ate her usual, a falafel. The special, available on white, wheat, pita, marble rye, or without bread, was made to perfection, with just the right amount of curry, moist, meaty, and mild. The price is just $5.99. Each sandwich comes with chips, pasta salad, or potato salad. My wife always loves the food. Our recent visit was no exception.

Put Vasken’s Deli in your GPS, and find the place. You won’t be disappointed. Oh, and what do I recommend? Well, I have never had a bad sandwich there, but my favorite… hard to choose, but I often order the corned beef on rye. It is piled high with meat sliced paper thin, just the way it should be. It is mouth-watering good.

Vasken’s Deli is located at 1015 Hwy 248 Suite D, Branson, MO. 65616. They are generally open 10-5, Monday through Friday, though I have been in there as early as 8 ordering lunch sandwiches to go. Find them on Facebook, here: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Vaskens-Deli/105720182835980 – Their website is found here: http://vaskensdeli.com/ – — Enjoy.

Branson Passport Rating: 5 out of 5

Quality of Food: 5
Portions: 5
Taste: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5

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The Incomparable Mickey Gilley

Posted May 9, 2012 by Steve
Categories: Branson Shows
Tags: , , , , ,

By reading my show reviews, one might think that Branson hosts nothing but impersonators and tribute shows. While there are many, that is far from the truth. After all, we have been home to Andy Williams, Mel Tillis, and Mickey Gilley for twenty-plus years. Tonight, my wife and I enjoyed the incomparable talents of Mickey Gilley.

It’s not news that Mickey is recovering from a 2009 fall that severely injured his spine, so I was not surprised when he performed the majority of the show from a chair. I had to laugh at myself when I thought that it took a pretty good set of lungs to sing from a sitting position… then I remembered that Gilley has performed sitting at the piano for his entire life. Though he still has not recovered the use of his hands enough to play the piano, his voice is unhindered by age or injury. It is as strong and clear as it was when he was at the height of his popularity in the 1980s. During the show, he danced two numbers with his back up singers, the Urbanettes. He is on the mend.

While sitting in a tribute show is a wonderful journey down memory lane, sitting a few feet from the real thing is in itself a memory. Sitting in Gilley’s show creates a memory to be cherished. While many nationally-known performers in Branson keep a distance between themselves and their audience, erecting an invisible fourth wall (to steal a television phrase), Gilley knocks down the barriers. He constantly attributes his success to his fans, as when he calls his many hits, “the number one hits you gave me.” After the show, Gilley drove his car up to a church bus full of fans as it left the parking lot, stopped it, got out of his car, and climbed aboard the bus to thank the fans for coming to his show. Then, as is his habit, Gilley drove next door to Gilley’s Texas Cafe and signed autographs.

While many performers put on great shows, Gilley’s is more than just a show. Sitting in Gilley’s theater is like sitting in his living room, chatting with an old friend. He relays stories of how he got his start in the business. He tells tales of growing up with his two famous cousins, Jerry Lee Lewis and Jimmy Swaggart. He talks about how his first record flopped, yet 50 years later earned him over $50,000 when Yoplait used it in a TV ad in Ireland. He tells how he became “an overnight success” in his late thirties after struggling for nearly 20 years. Yet, somehow, during all his sharing, he manages to perform every one of his 17 number one hits, a couple of songs by his buddy Johnny Lee, show us a couple clips from TV appearances in the 80s, and sing us a couple of his favorite tunes that did not make it to the top spot on the chart.

Gilley is an every-man, longing to play golf again, truly enjoying his fans, and working hard to once again do what he does best, sit at the piano, playing and singing. He moves his hands when he sings, playing the piano in his mind, fingering the chords. Even without the piano, though, an afternoon at Gilley’s is a true joy.

2012 Branson Passport Rating for the Mickey Gilley Show (out of 5):

Family Friendly – 5

Entertaining – 5

Musical Abilities – 5 (rating the band and back up singers in this case)

Vocal Abilities – 5

Professionalism – 5

Total Score – 5

Gilley performs four shows per week at the Mickey Gilley Theater . For a complete schedule, go to http://www.gilleys.com/theatre/showtimes.cfm

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Class of ’57: Statler Brothers Revisited

Posted May 6, 2012 by Steve
Categories: Branson Shows
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Thursday night in Branson, early in the spring, so I didn’t expect to see a full theater when my wife and I decided to check out “Class of ’57,” a tribute to the Statler Brothers, but what we found was a delightful surprise in many ways. Not only was the theater nearly full (including a motor coach full of visitors from Iowa), but the show was
phenomenal.

The Statler Brothers began singing in the mid-1950s, and were a part of the pop and country music scene until 2002 when they retired. They have not performed together since. But, visit the God and Country Theater on the 76 strip in Branson, close your eyes, and you can hear them once more. Class of 57 is a tribute show, not impersonators, but
they sound remarkably like the real thing.

The men who sing in the tribute show are exceptional performers. Place these same four singers together for any concert, though – be it Statler’s music or not – and one would see a noteworthy performance. This group is not just four guys off the street; rather, Class of 57 is comprised of three seasoned professionals and one young talent. Put together by Ronnie Page – who says his granddaughter drug an old Statler Brothers album down from his attic, inspiring him to form this group – Class of 57 runs smoothly, sounds great, and is flat out fun. Page is a former member of the Oak Ridge Boys and of the Chuck Wagon Gang, and is founding member of the Downing Street Boys, a local Gospel Group. Page knows how a Branson show should sound, and upholds the highest standards in all his work. He sings bass in this group, though in his younger years, he has sung baritone, and even tenor.

The baritone for this group is singer-songwriter, Roy Morris, who bears one of the strongest stage presences in Branson. He has performed with his wife, Barbara Fairchild, at their diner for several years, and this year can be found at the Golden Coral and, on Sunday mornings, leading worship at the Music City Center.

The lead singer on many of the songs in this Statler Brothers Tribute is Mike Walker, who has headlined his own show in Branson. Walker is one of the most likeable performers in Branson, as well as the most talented. His own show (at 2 pm at the God and Country Theater) includes impersonations – of which there are over 50 – of Willy Nelson, Johnny Cash, and many, many more. In this show, Walker doesn’t seem to impersonate Don Reid, but sings in his own voice, which sounds incredibly close to Reid’s voice in most songs. Walker is also one of the most humorous people on the Branson stage. During a take off on a humorous Statler Brothers song Thursday night,
Walker laughed so hard, he almost cried.

Singing Tenor for the Class of ’57 is Cody Boggs, a newcomer to the stage. Cody, who is manager at the Reebok store on the Tanger Mall is an exceptional talent, and does a great job hitting the high notes (even on John Cash’s “Daddy Sang Bass,” on which the Statler Brothers sang back up).

All your Statler Favorites are hear, Class of 57, Counting Flowers on the Wall, Elisabeth, and many more, including a nod to the Statler’s roots in Gospel music. But, then, what else would you expect with a show that features Ronnie Page and Roy Morris. I highly recommend this show. You will not be disappointed.

2012 Branson Passport Rating for Class of ’57: Statler Brothers Revisited (out of 5):

Family Friendly – 5

Entertaining – 5

Musical Abilities – 5

Vocal Abilities – 5

Professionalism – 5

Total Score – 5

Class of 57 perform at God & Country Theater in Branson, MO at 8pm (Wed & Thu). For a complete schedule, go to http://godandcountrytheatre.com/#/statlers-revisited/4558285717

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Paul Harris and the Cleverlys

Posted April 24, 2012 by Steve
Categories: Branson Shows
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It is not an easy task to review Paul Harris and the Cleverlys, for it is impossible to describe their show. So, let me say right up front, this Branson show is so good that I wish it was a weekly TV series. I would love to see it again tonight.

Staged with no decoration, no back drop, no special effects, and no fancy lighting, this show is a throwback to the early days of Branson (before the dancers, the Vegas-style lighting, and the Broadway staging).  Harris need not apologize for the minimalist staging, however, for once he and the boys start playing, it’s obvious that they are a talented bluegrass band, and that is the only thing that matters.

What isn’t so obvious – at least up front – is that the bluegrass is just an added bonus. It took me about a song and a half to realize exactly what I was watching, but I don’t feel bad, for some in the audience took longer to catch on.  What we were watching was perhaps the funniest man to pick up a stringed instrument since Tommy Smothers or Steve Martin. From the minute Paul Harris walked on stage until the time the lights went out, his tongue was firmly planted in his cheek.

The show is really a mock concert.  Paul Harris and his band are the opening act.  When they are finished performing, Paul Harris warms the audience up with his comedy.  After intermission, the main attraction takes the stage.  The main attraction is the band, The Cleverlys, which is, of course, the alter-ego of Paul Harris and his band.  Like the original Blues Brothers, one just doesn’t know how seriously to take them.

Harris is from Arkansas, and when he is in character as Digger Cleverly, the Arkansas drawl is exaggerated by ten-fold.  He dons sunglasses and a cowboy hat and never cracks a smile.  It is his straight face, and the straight faces in the band, that left some in the audience wondering if they were serious.  Let me advise those going to this show, the only thing serious is that this band is seriously talented.  Harris presents a couple of classic bluegrass tunes, and gives a nod to Bill Monroe, the father of bluegrass, and to Earl Scruggs, but most of their music is unconventional.

Let me clarify: they present unconventional songs set to bluegrass music.  Music selected includes a Black-eyed Peas tune, a Fergie song, and a number from Bruce Hornsby.  There is even a rendition of a video game theme.  Sound stupid?  I told you I wouldn’t do justice describing this show.  It is absolutely fall-out-of-your-seat-funny.

Harris’s stand up, between music acts is just as funny, but don’t get me wrong when I said that this show is a throwback to the early days of Branson.  Harris is no toothless clown in baggy pants.  His humor is drawn from his days growing up in the Ozarks.  Harris is genuinely funny.  He doesn’t just tell funny jokes.  He is a story teller.  While I have no criticism of this part of the show, for I thoroughly enjoyed the stand up, I do have a suggestion.  If Harris would realize that the most humorous parts of his stand-up are the stories, and not the jokes, he could rise from the ranks of the standard funny man to the ranks of Will Rogers.

2012 Branson Passport Rating for Paul Harris and the Cleverlys (out of 5):

Family Friendly – 4

Entertaining – 5

Musical Abilities – 5

Vocal Abilities –  5

Professionalism – 5

Total Score – 4.8

Paul Harris and the Cleverlys perform at The White House Theatre in Branson, MO at 8pm (most nights).  For a complete schedule, go to http://paulharris.kungfubranson.com/show_dates.html.  Also check out: http://www.paulharriscomedy.com/ and http://thecleverlys.com/

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