The Bald Knobbers & Branson
The Bald Knobbers & Branson
The Bald Knobbers and Branson
Every visitor to Branson who wants to have a fantastic vacation by participating in enjoyable activities or taking a roller coaster ride in Branson will come to know that the "Baldknobbers" was Branson's first show, "the show that started it all," on April 1, 1912.
However, long before a Baldknobbers Jamboree or the city of Branson was incorporated, the "Bald Knobbers" had already become known in the history and legend of the Ozarks. It has become one of the most popular tourist destinations in America.
As is often the case, something good ends up going horribly wrong. In 1883, a group of men under the leadership of Nathaniel Kinney established an organization to protect the citizens of Taney County from the criminal activity of the "outlaws" who had moved into the region.
They were known as "Bald Knobbers" due to their peculiar masks and the fact that they initially met in a bald area at the top of one of the mountains in the region. They tragically became their own law, to the point when Kinney shot one of the "anti-Bald Knobber" leaders in "cold blood." Then, they realized their first objective and gained a substantial portion of what is now referred to as "political power."
The Missouri Governor's office ordered the original Taney County Bald Knobbers to disband after their vigilante methods cost them the community's support. Ironically, even though the Bald Knobbers he created had been separated, Kinney was murdered by an assassin hired by an "anti-Bald Knobber" group, and his murderer was cleared in self-defense.
This may have gone unnoticed in history had it not been for Harold Bell Wright's influential book "Shepherd of the Hills," published in 1907 and featured the Bald Knobbers as the adversaries. A case might be made that the book and the tourists it brought to the Branson area to visit the locations it described were the original "sparks" of tourism for the area, which over time blossomed into the Branson of today with everything it has to offer.
The Shepherd of Hills Outdoor Drama, presented in 1959 on the very site where Harold Bell Wright wrote his book, beautifully and inspiringly brought Wright's writing to life. The thrilling, motivational drama's 55th season ended with its performance on October 25, 2014.
An almost football-field-sized outdoor stage, galloping horses, a buckboard, and the "Bald Knobbers," who actually burn a cabin every night, are among the production's standout attractions. The cast includes about 100 actors.
The Mabe family decided to start a show in 1960 to entertain visitors who were arriving in the Branson area as a result of the opening of Silver Dollar City, a new theme park, and the construction of Table Rock Dam, which created the 43,000+ square acre Table Rock Lake. Many intrepid travelers who want to experience a thrilling roller coaster ride in Branson will find this wonderful theme park superb.
In the past, one of the band's founders, Bob Mabe, claimed that the name "Baldknobbers" was his idea and that he had "chosen it from the book." Still, he later said, "I wished that I had said the "Mabe Brothers" instead because there are four of us brothers [Bill, Bob, Jim, and Lyle]."
The Baldknobbers performed in Branson near Lake Taneycomo for the first time in 1959, and they have since continued to amaze audiences with their distinctive song and humor. The family tradition continues to enthrall guests with everything from timeless country music to funny comedy and the hottest songs. The Baldknobbers have a troupe of musicians, stand-up comedians, and energetic vocalists who play modern and classic country tunes and humorous material.
The funniest jokes, your favorite songs, and the best country music are all performed live by them. The relocation of what was formerly family entertainment from the storied Branson City Hall to the well-known Highway 76 Strip contributed to the area's rise to fame as a Midwest holiday destination. The thrilling roller coaster ride in Branson is the next ideal thing to do after watching the Baldknobbers.
The more than 50 theaters in Branson, including live music, comedy, variety, and magic performances, are already known by most visitors. In fact, many won't believe that Branson has more theater seats than Broadway in New York City. With the Mabe Brothers' involvement in the Baldknobbers Jamboree, now known as Branson's Famous Baldknobbers, Branson made its stage debut in 1959.
The first music venue to be built on Highway 76 (commonly referred to as "The Strip") in Branson was Presley's Country Jubilee. The Baldknobbers and Presley's Country Jubilee continue to perform in their original locations along Highway 76 on the Strip. Numerous entertainers, like The Lennon Sisters and The Osmonds, frequently perform in Branson.
Tourists who have just visited this vibrant city don't hesitate to come again because of the numerous top-notch activities it offers, including the thrilling roller coaster ride in Branson.
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