The Horn family that owns Circle B Supper Show is on the move to court new customers. Recently, the band headlined the cowboy church service at the Gene Autry Film & Music Festival in Gene Autry, Okla., said son Michael Horn. The next day, Tulsa's KTUL-TV invited them to perform on its morning show.
The festival also scored them an appearance on Little Rock's KATV morning show. Horn said the family has performed on TV in numerous midsize markets, and it pays off.
"We don't have a lot of money for out-of-market advertising," Horn said. "This is a way we can generate press and buzz about the show."
But it takes patience. Visitors may not come right away, "but we'll be something they'll put on their itinerary," Horn said. "We would like to have double the numbers the next week."
Fifteen years ago, father Kemp Horn was the forester for the city of Baltimore, Md. His wife, Michele, was an attorney, and in midlife crisis, they bought a tourist ranch and moved their four kids to the Black Hills of South Dakota, according to www.circlebchuckwagon.com. Soon after, the ranch's regular band quit, so the Horn family tried their hand at entertaining, and they liked it.
In 2004, they bought the former Dinner Bell Restaurant, where Kemp, Michael, his 8-year-old son Jamison, and his sister Christy now perform with other band members while customers enjoy the chuck wagon dinner.
Patient PAL on call
Patient PAL, a subsidiary of Las Vegas-based London Medical Management, has unveiled a program for veterans at its Branson office, 114 E. Price St.
"There's nothing more synonymous with veterans than Branson," CEO Jack London said of launching the Veterans Care Program in the southwest Missouri town.
London, a former hospital administrator, founded London Medical Management in 1989 to assist physicians and facilities negotiate contracts. Patient PAL evolved to help patients navigate insurance claims, hospital bills and care options. The monthly membership fee is $29.95 per household, according to www.patientpal.org.
As a former veteran, London said he wanted to help with the complexities of veterans' health care.
"It's extremely confusing," he said. "Every call we get starts the same way: 'I don't know if you can help, but ... .'"
Branson office manager Melissa Corleone said attendants are on call 24-7 to answer questions.
London said Gene Overstreet, founder of Veterans Direct in Dallas, asked him to tailor services for veterans.
"He told me that four of every 10 foreclosures were veteran-owned homes, and that without exception it was related to health care costs," London said.
Buy low, sell high
Fresh off installation of a new sign at VR Business Brokers' office in Ozark across from Lambert's Café, owner and President Michael Becker is spreading word about the ripe timing to buy a business.
Buyers "want the security and to control their own destiny, to live the American dream and be self-employed," Becker said, noting that his company, VR Business Brokers, Mergers and Acquisitions, helps find bank financing.
Some sellers opt to carry their own notes as an investment, he added.
VR Business Brokers' Florida-based group of companies handles business, franchise and commercial real estate sales and business evaluations. Becker's VR Business Brokers office is independently owned and operated under Main Street To Wall Street Advisory Partners LLC, according to www.vrspringfield-branson.com. The 30-year-old VR company had no representation in the Ozarks until Becker brought the company here in July, he said. Michael's father, Jerry Becker, serves on the VR Business Brokers board.
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Kathryn Buckstaff, membership public relations manager of Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce, can be reached at kbuckstaff@bransoncvb.com.
