Branson performer Moe Bandy deserves a prize for his latest marketing move - the recent purchase of a bull he has named Moebandy.com.
Bandy, who began competing in bull riding events all over Texas as a teenager, said the bull is performing well on televised professional rodeos. At every rodeo, he said, the announcer repeats, "Look at that Moe Bandy.com go," or "Moebandy.com just bucked off another rider."
The RFD-TV network carries plenty of those rodeos, and that market knows about Branson. Also, Moebandy.com is on the list of 2009 World Champion Bull Contenders. Among the stats, Moebandy.com's average buck-off time is 4.07 seconds.
Bandy had his first country hit, "I Just Started Hatin' Cheatin' Songs Today," when he was 30. He's been performing in Branson for 19 years and is at the Jim Stafford Theatre through Dec. 6.
Williams tells all in biography
Andy Williams' biography, "Moon River and Me," is No. 10 on the Los Angeles Times Best-Seller list and No. 35 on The New York Times list. Williams talked about writing the book at a recent taping of The Vacation Channel's "Branson Community Connection."
Williams said he wanted the book to be an honest account. That required recounting two dark incidents. First, Williams was present in 1968 at the Los Angeles hotel when his good friend Robert Kennedy was assassinated. One of the most difficult things he's ever done, he said, was to sing "Battle Hymn of the Republic" at RFK's funeral at his widow Ethel's request.
The second was when Williams' ex-wife, Claudine Longet, was charged with fatally shooting her skier boyfriend. Williams testified on her behalf. Longet, who claimed it was accidental, received a 30-day jail sentence.
Williams recently returned from a book-signing tour in England and will perform his Christmas show at his Moon River Theatre through Dec. 7. Autographed copies of his book are available at the theater.
No name dropping
Don't ask Norma and Lee Wiedmeyer to talk about some of their limousine service's best-known clients, because that's something they won't do.
"People always ask who's the most famous person you ever met, and we say, 'You are,'" said Norma Wiedmeyer, who with Lee operates Branson Limousine & Executive Charter Inc.
They both started driving limos part-time in Tulsa eight years ago. Now, they own three vehicles and rent others as needed. Their business includes creating special trips in Branson, driving people to ball games in Kansas City and taking Branson groups to concerts in Springfield, Norma Wiedmeyer said.
A three-hour tour to four Branson wineries for tastings is popular, she said. And now, the company is busy with the two-hour Christmas Light Tour, and riders can enjoy cider and candy canes while cruising down the strip, through the historic district, the Branson/Lakes Area Chamber's "Festival of Lights" drive-through and several other destinations. A stretch limo for eight is $225.
Pick up those sweetgum balls
Aromatique has opened an outlet store at 112 S. Commercial in downtown Branson, the first store away from its Heber Springs headquarters. Aromatique sells products in more than 7,000 shops and department stores nationwide and in Canada.
The company, with 250 employees and a 400,000-square-foot plant, was created in 1982 by Patricia Upton. She mixed acorns, pine cones and sweetgum balls, added spices and oils, and created their flagship product, The Smell of Christmas.
Upton has won many honors and was featured on "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous."
Branson Aromatique Manager Myra Small said the outlet carries discontinued merchandise at half-off, including ceramic pumpkins filled with pumpkin spice candles. Bath products include shower gel, lotion and a travel candle, which she said are great stocking stuffers.[[In-content Ad]]
Kathryn Buckstaff, membership public relations manager of the Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce, may be reached at kbuckstaff@bransoncvb.com.
