In every other show I've seen in Branson, I've felt the performers have given their all to their performance. She spent a lot of time looking at the band, not at the audience. In the second act, a flouncy yellow dress with boas and capes and trains was just unattractive and distracting. In the first act, a long black dress seemed to really inhibit her movement. Ann-Margaret had gowns that didn't fit her correctly. Because of this, a certain connection with the audience was lost. Although Andy still has his beautiful voice, he has to use a teleprompter so was looking at the floor most of the time, not at the audience.

Andy sang a great selection of songs and he showed some clever videos that related to his career and were very humorous. At the box office our tickets were upgraded because they'd had a cancellation so we had premium seats. The theater is beautiful the staff is very helpful. I'll start with the positive aspects of the evening. 'That's about it for a dollar and a half,' Williams says.We saw Andy Williams and Ann-Margret last night night and I was very disappointed. Location: Andy Williams Performing Arts Center, 2500 W 76 Country Blvd Branson, MO 65616 This activity is no longer available. He even sang the first few bars of his signature hit, 'Moon River.' Williams also talked about booking Elton John on his television program, his friendship with Robert Kennedy despite Williams' Republican affiliation, and opening his own theater. 'It took me about three years to figure out that what I really should be doing is try and sing songs like Perry Como and Frank Sinatra, and be a pop singer.' 'You know, I'm a little slow,' Williams says. Lyden and Williams spoke about meeting Bing Crosby, supporting Kay Thompson, the breakup of the Williams Brothers, and his early struggles as a solo act. And in the long run, I'm very glad that he instilled that in me and got me to do it.' 'It was really his passion to have his boys sing. 'My father, his vision for us was - it wasn't my passion to be a singer,' Williams says.

Williams says his father was the driving force that led him to enter show business. Williams was still able to sing the entire commercial jingle for Lyden. The brothers also sang for a show on WLW in Cincinnati, called It's Time To Shine - naturally, sponsored by Griffin Shoe Polish.

They were first booked on the Iowa Barn Dance Frolic on WHO radio, and later on the National Barn Dance on Chicago's WLS. 1 of 2 The Andy Williams Moon River Theatre aka the Andy Williams Performing Arts Center and Theatre Courtesy off Ten-X Commercial Inside the Andy Williams Moon River Theatre aka the Andy Williams Performing Arts Center and Theatre Courtesy off Ten-X Commercial Andy’s Williams Moon River Theatre has been placed up for auction. The Williams Brothers got their start singing in Des Moines, Iowa, in an era of live radio performances. 'If I stop, I don't know whether I'll start again.' Williams spoke with guest host Jacki Lyden, just minutes after leaving the stage of his theater. He has a new memoir, Moon River and Me, that's candidly fresh and frank. At 82, Williams still tours and performs year-round, often at his Moon River Theatre in Branson, Mo. It amounts to seven decades of show business.Īndy Williams' career charts like a history of mid-20th century entertainment. At one point, he got so hungry, he ate dog food.īut he became iconic in American popular culture, with more than 20 platinum and gold albums, 20 years in Las Vegas, and a television run that surpassed 10 years. And he was continually stiffed by club owners. The quartet he formed with his brothers had broken up, and he sang the wrong kinds of songs for the wrong kinds of audiences. In the 1950s, a young man who had been on the upward track of success was performing alone in the seediest of nightclubs. Andy Williams performs at the Songwriters Hall Of Fame ceremony in July 2009.

Andy williams theatre