Fans of gospel music should mark their calendars for the 1st Annual Branson Gospel Music Convention (BGMC), which is coming to Branson July 14 to 17. The convention will be held at the Branson Convention Center, which is adjacent to the Hilton Branson Convention Center hotel.

YMR Music Productions, run by Rod and Kelly Burton, is putting on this event. The convention will feature over 200 artists, live performances, an awards show, a talent contest, and an exhibit hall.

A number of well-known Southern Gospel acts are headlining the convention and will perform in the evening concerts. These groups include The Blackwood Quartet, The Chuck Wagon Gang, Florida Boys, The Stamps, and The Paynes.

The convention features a variety of events each day. Some mornings begin with a worship service, and Wednesday morning features a special talent contest. Sponsored by HIS Choice Music, the contest is open to any artist not affiliated with a record label. The top prize of the contest is a 10-song recording package from HIS Choice, and there are also second and third place prizes with discounts on recording packages.

Free concerts will be given daily, from approximately 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. These concerts will feature a variety of performers, most of whom will have displays in the exhibit hall, which will be open daily.

Nightly concerts begin at 6 p.m., with the exception of Thursday night, due to the special Diamond Awards presentation. The concert begins at 8:30 p.m. that night. Although the morning and afternoon concerts are free, tickets must be purchased for the evening concerts. Tickets can be purchased at the BGMC Web site. Ticket prices range from $20 to $15, with special prices for children. Package prices are also available.

Times and performances are subject to change. All events take place at the Branson Convention Center.

For more information on the convention, consult the official Web site.

To book a room at the Hilton Convention Center or other great Branson hotels, check out BransonShows.com or call 1-800-987-6298.

As a fundraiser for the Children’s Miracle Network, which strives to raise funds and awareness for over 170 children’s hospitals, the Tri Lakes Center in Branson, MO will be hosting the Stars and Guitars Concert on Saturday, August 15, 2009 at 7:30 p.m. Richie McDonald and Joe Nichols are already set to take the stage, playing some of their favorite hits from over the years.

Richie McDonald was the long-time lead singer of the hit country music group “Lonestar” before he left the group in 2007 to pursue a solo career. Some of the tunes that took him to the top are “Amazed,” “I’m Already There,” and “What About Now.” Joining him will be Joe Nichols, a fellow country music artist who has enjoyed a career of top singles including “Brokenheartsville,” and “The Impossible.” Now, you can relive them all in this single-day event that helps serve the Ozarks area.

Come to Branson this mid-August and enjoy acoustic sounds and other entertainment for a truly worthy cause, as all proceeds for the event go to the Children’s Miracle Network.

The seating is limited (around 2500 total at the venue), so be sure to book your tickets soon at the Tri Lakes Center homepage. For a full list of lodging options and additional information about Branson, visit BransonShows.com.

The Live Entertainment Capital of the World will live up to its name over the course of the next few weeks, as RFD – TV the Theatre is playing host to several upcoming shows and performances for a limited time only. RFD – TV the Theatre opened in March of 2007 with the objective of providing live, family-oriented performances for its guests. The performances this July and early August certainly qualify, as RFD – TV the Theatre will be home to Brule’ and the American Indian Rock Opera, Disney’s High School Musical – Summer Celebration, and The Cowsills.

With a total of 10 performances from July 10 through July 19 at 8 p.m., Brule’ and the American Indian Rock Opera provides original, refreshing music and dance moves in what some have called the best assemblage of American Indian dancers on stage today. Some of the hits in the performance include “All My Relations,” “Spirit Horses,” “Peace is All Around Me,” “Stomp Dance,” and “Buffalo Moon.” The effective and moving show adds the elements of great lighting and sound to create a fully entertaining evening that every member of the family can enjoy.

Saturday, July 25 at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. marks your only two opportunities this year to see the mega summer celebration of Disney’s High School Musical at RFD – TV the Theatre. The up-to-date sound system makes the theatre the perfect venue to host this exciting performance, where you’re certain to hear some of the smash hits that made all three High School Musical movies so successful: “You are the Music in Me,” “Gotta Go My Own Way,” “Start of Something New,” “We’re All in This Together,” and countless others.

Reuniting to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of “Hair,” the hit song from the Broadway Musical, The Cowsills will perform every night at 8 p.m. from July 27 through August 8 at RFD – TV the Theatre. The legendary group has entertained audiences in more than 60 cities around the world with such hits as “We Can Fly,” “Indian Lake,” “Love American Style,” “A Time for Remembrance,” and of course “Hair.” The combination of oldies songs and modern hits make each performance something everyone can enjoy.

Because each performance is shown for a limited time only, tickets are bound to sell quickly. Make an advance ticket purchase on BransonShows.com, where you can also find the perfect lodging to complement your trip to Branson, MO.

“Where kids feel like grown-ups…and grown-ups act like kids.” That’s one of the taglines for The Track Family Fun Parks in Branson, MO, a series of five tracks located along Highway 76. This July provides the perfect opportunity to travel to Branson and enjoy the fun and excitement of the parks, as each of the five locations will be open every day of the week for the entire month. So before the opportunity passes you by, round up the family, make the trip to Branson, and enjoy the outdoor thrills and adventures of The Track Family Fun Parks.

Take part in the go-karts the parks are known for. The parks provide options for guests anywhere from four years old and up, from the Kiddie Go-Carts all the way up to the Wild Woody and the LumberJack, the two most popular tracks around. The Skycoaster is a thrill rider’s dream, as the swinging ride is the closest to skydiving you will get without doing the actual act itself. The slow, steady 100-foot rise to the top is enough to make any ardent thrill-seeker tremble.

Additional fun at the sites includes bumper rides, where you can choose from the standard cars or the bumper boats; arcades, where a total of 200 games await you at three different locations; mini-golf, where guests of any age can enjoy a course at three different locations; and laser tag, where your family can enjoy the black-lit maze as you test your aim.

Purchase The Track Go Card for unlimited half prices for the entire family throughout the year at rides, mini-golf, laser tag, and games. During the entire month of July, however, you can enjoy the benefit of a full day with the card (9 a.m. to midnight), longer than you would any other month for the rest of the year.

For tickets and additional information for The Track Family Fun Parks, visit BransonTracks.com. If you’re looking for lodging and other information about shows and attractions to enjoy during your stay, visit BransonShows.com.