America's Favorite Finalists

[OKCtraveler]

I saw the opening night show of America's Favorite Finalists. I loved it! It was full of energy and great talent. It had some country, some rhythm and blues, rock and a mixture of everything. Some of the finalists did songs they had written themselves, which to me made it more fun. Jason Yeager did a good job as host also. I would recommend it.

[Suselit]

Thanks so much for your review, OKCtraveler.

[bransoncutie]

Thanks for the info. I've got some friends going to the show tonight.

[LocalYokel]

Curious to know what the crowd size was like for this show?

Are they doing any area appreciation type of deal?

[branson411]

Hello.... YES!!! Area appreciation for America's Favorite Finalists is all week for just $10 and kids are free!!!! You have to go see the show I saw opening night last night and it was AMAZING... a show like non other in Branson and something we have been waiting on for a long time...

[OKCtraveler]

Curious to know what the crowd size was like for this show?

I'm not a very good judge of crowd size, the the center section was 1/3 to 1/2 full. Hope more people hear about it, because it's really good.

[roncin]

Went To The Vip Openining Night And The News Confrence Before , This Was A Wonderful Show Lots Of Energy And Some Great Original Songs.theres Going To Be A Group Of 30 And They Are Rotating Them Every4 To 5 Weeks. Belive It Or Not Folks In My Eyes Scott Savol Stole The Show ., But They Were All Amazing Check This Out If Your An Idoloholic Or Not You Will Love It. If All The Groups Are As Good As This One We Are All In For A Treat. Was Lucky Enough To Meet These Folks The Are Very Genuine And Thankful For All Of The Blessings Idol Has Givin Them.

[engel]

Sure didn't give it much of a chance. Are you positive? We were going to come up & see it later!

[ceyman]

Hmmm...was going to respond to the post about the Grand Palace show (with American idol contestants) being yanked, but the only thing yanked was the initial post I was going to respond to. another case of 1Branson and their gestapo moderators deciding what all of us should be able to read. You guys ever work for the Government? . I wonder how long this post will last?!

[OkieAnon]

Originally Posted by ceyman

Hmmm...was going to respond to the post about the Grand Palace show (with American idol contestants) being yanked, but the only thing yanked was the initial post I was going to respond to. another case of 1Branson and their gestapo moderators deciding what all of us should be able to read. You guys ever work for the Government? . I wonder how long this post will last?!

the original poster deleted their own post with an explanation that they wanted to confirm something first.

for anyone that is confused, there was a post stating the show had closed already it was ahead of engle's post.

i'll leave the who and what for them to come back once they've confirmed it.

your friendly gestapo

[ceyman]

I stand corrected...except for the "gestapo" thing!

[LocalYokel]

A little birdie told me today that if you wanna see this one, you better hurry... Anyone heard similar rumblings?

[OKCtraveler]

I sure hope this show gets to stay around, it's a wonderful production. Seems the advertising was lacking, from what I saw, or didn't see. The performers were great and it was obvious a lot of work had gone into this show.

[OKCtraveler]

From Today's Branson Paper, a nice review:


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Friday, June 27, 2008

Branson responds as ‘Idols’ share their hearts

Scott Savol sings “Don’t Rush,” his new single, to an appreciative audience at the Grand Palace. BDN photo by Donna Clevenger

By Donna Clevenger
BDN Staff Writer
dclevenger@bransondailynews.com

Being out of the limelight and taking the stage in Idol-friendly Branson, the Grand Palace’s guest stars said they feel more relaxed performing where they feel accepted and at home.

The first set of six contestants who were a part of the new “American Idol” show agreed their performance was enhanced outside the arena of competition, and they were eager to sign up to come to Branson at the Grand Palace.

The spring-through-fall show features former “American Idol” contestants.

“We had so much positive response from the contestants,” promoter Steve Drummond said about putting the June to October showing of “American Idol” contestants together.

“We have 28 to 30 performers under contract. Each show is a concert format. There’s no over-the-top stage production,” Drummond said. “It’s all about the music.”

Vonzell Solomon and Scott Savol were both season four contestants. Solomon hopped on the contestant merry-go-round in Orlando, Fla., and she made it to third place behind runner-up Bo Bice and winner Carrie Underwood.

Solomon is a black belt in martial arts and has a four-year major in music.

“The recognition you get just from being an Idol is great. We’ve all dreamed of this, and now that it’s come true, it’s just awesome,” Solomon said before the opening night show at the Grand Palace.

Solomon opened the show with Aretha Franklin’s “Respect.”

She wooed the audience with Bonnie Rait’s song, “I Can’t Make You Love Me,” but the crowd really got wound up to her original song, written with a friend in Nashville. During “It’s a Girls Night Out” they stood and cheered.

Solomon teamed with R.J. Helton for “From This Moment On” in a smooth duet.

Solomon has made several guest appearances on talk and awards shows, including “Good Morning America” and the VH1 Big in ’05 Awards Show. She also completed a feature role in the movie “Still Green.”

Savol said being a contestant on “American Idol” has given him a platform to take his gift out to the world, and that gift? Singing from his heart about his faith in God.

That’s his calling.

“When I left “American Idol,” God spoke to me, you know, not out loud, but I knew. He said as long as you do this with me, you can’t fail,” Savol said.

He said he’s been singing since he was a shy child, sitting under the kitchen table where no one could watch him.

He apologized before singing his original song, “Don’t Rush.”

“People could take this song a couple of ways,” he said. “But it’s not about just relationships.”

“Don’t Rush” is really about taking time to know God,” Savol said. And that’s the message he’d send out. Savol ended up in the top five of season four and became a household name — one of the most talked about finalists.

His new single, “Don’t Rush,” featuring L’il G from Silk is available on iTunes.

For more information, call (417) 339-5700. Shows are at 8 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday.

Go Back

[Suselit]

I saw them on Jim Bakker TV Show this Tuesday and I thought they were very personable and talented.
They were able to speak more freely than they did on the Idol interviews.
So I got a better sense of who they really were.