Welcome to SHOWQUEST 2013!

Yes everyone, I am on a quest! I live in Branson, Missouri. It is one strange, quirky town that's small yet huge, cheesy yet crazy, but always interesting. Many of you may have heard it called the "Live Music Capital of the World". That's because we have a TON of live shows, and in the 14 or so years that I have lived in the area, I've seen a few. I have always been curious and hopeful to see as many shows as I could, but reasons/excuses have come and gone that have prevented me from going. Between my jobs, my children, my band and family road trips (of which more will be shared on those topics in subsequent side blogs), it's been tough to make time to go to shows, but I'm sure my tiredness/laziness after many long days has also contributed to the issue. But now I'm running out of time.

In four years, I will be moving to the Kansas City area. I will be joining my husband in the town where we grew up, Odessa, Missouri. We are long distance for now until my kids graduate high school in Branson, because keeping them here and stable is very important to me, and it also matters to my husband. So now the clock is ticking, and my goal is to see as many shows as I can before it's time to go. Of course I'll come back to Branson to visit (mainly because of all my friends here), but as any of you who visit Branson know, when you're here for a short time you have to pick and choose from the myriad options before you, and that limits how much you can see and do.

So this blog is for the following people:
* People who know and love Branson (or hate it, or are ambivalent but curious)
*Visitors who want a local opinion to make a more informed choice of shows.
*Anyone who's interested in a (hopefully) entertaining and thought-provoking read.
*Ah, anyone else, hell I'm not picky. But I hope some of my fellow Bransonians will nod along too.

And so begins my...SHOWQUEST 2013! Come with me and my beloved companions on a magical sojourn through the good and the bad, the gorgeous and the ugly, the silly and the stupid, the epic and the lame! Please know that I will be following a few self-placed parameters. I will tell you the time of day, theater and accompanying companions for each show. If you know Branson, you will understand that show schedules and location can change as fast as Missouri weather, so if you do pick one to see, do more research to get the most up-to-date details. Also, I believe that two things are VERY important in communication, HONESTY and TACT. So I will find a balance. I won't rip on a show, but I will say if something comes up short in my opinion. Opinion. As in mine and don't take offense. I may say things you don't like about a show you love. Feel free to make your own blog, and I promise I won't slag on you for it.

So join me! And allow me to introduce my faithful companions: Handsome hunka husband Steven! Beautiful brassy bestie Crystal! Smart sarcastic son Layne! Daring darling daughter Jillian! and others to be added as we go along! And Giddy goofy grateful ME! I already have 17 shows under my belt. So now to the first 17 blogs! >.< Hang on for the ride, y'all :)