Many locals and tourists alike may recall the former dancehalls, Guitars and Cadillacs, or maybe Planet Branson. Both places conjure up great memories of dining and dancing to great music back in the day. Many major celebrities performed there such as Merle Haggard, Delbert McClinton, John Kay from Steppenwolf, on to Kenny Chesney and countless others. Located at 440 State Highway 248 in Branson at the junction of 248 and 65, BILLY YATES’ CHOICES plans to be open for business on September 9th, 2019. A GRAND OPENING is being planned that will include live music, food, drinks, and more surprises to kick off what is sure to be the “go to” spot in Branson.
The new venue named after the Yates penned, Grammy award-winning George Jones classic, “Choices”, will feature a full restaurant and bar, a huge dance floor and two stages for live shows and concerts. Various country music memorabilia will be displayed throughout including all of Yates’ gold and platinum record awards, autographed guitars, hand-written lyrics of some of the biggest country songs ever, and more.
“It’s been a long-time dream to create a venue dedicated to great dining, dancing, and music,” Billy Yates says. “Our family loves Branson and we believe in its future. We are excited to offer something that’s been needed in this town for a while now, a place for family and friends to gather and enjoy some great food and some great country music with a dance floor for those who want to kick up their heels.”
In addition to the new venue, Yates also announces today the exciting news of a new show coming to CHOICES. NASHVILLE NIGHTS will feature actual country music stars performing their own hits, plus a few of their favorites as well. The NASHVILLE NIGHTS cast includes BILLY YATES (hit songwriter whose songs include George Jones’, “I Don’t Need Your Rockin’ Chair” and “Choices”. Yates is also known for his own hit, “Flowers”); HEATH WRIGHT (founding member, lead vocalist and guitar player for the ACM Award-winning band, Ricochet, best known for their hits, “Daddy’s Money”, “What Do I Know”, and “Love Is Stronger Than Pride”); MICHELLE POE (the current bass player for Hank Williams Jr. and past bass player for Dierks Bentley and Brooks and Dunn. Poe is also known for her own hit as an artist, “Just One of the Boys”); MELODY HART (past fiddle and acoustic guitar player for Joe Diffie, Brenda Lee, the Cox Family and star of the Branson Country USA TV show); KEVIN CLEMENS (past steel guitar player for Gary Stewart, Crystal Gayle, Rex Allen Jr. and the Presley’s); DAVID SMITH (past keyboard and banjo player for Roy Clark. Smith has performed on the Grand Ole Opry stage nearly 100 times); PETE GENEROUS (past drummer for Roy Clark, Tony Orlando, and The Lawrence Welk Orchestra).
Nashville Nights will kick off on September 9th and will run through mid-December with four shows each week on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday nights starting at 7:30pm.
That’s not all! Yates’ hit show, BILLY YATES’ HIT SONGWRITERS IN THE ROUND will move from its current location at the Americana Theatre to the new venue and will begin there on September 27th with three shows each week on Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday afternoons at 2:00pm. BILLY YATES’ HIT SONGWRITERS IN THE ROUND has become a Branson favorite. Only half way through its second season this show currently ranks number 2 out of 159 shows and concerts in Branson on TripAdvisor. This unique show experience features two different Nashville hit songwriters each week, along with host, Billy Yates. The trio performs songs they’ve written for the big stars and share the stories behind those songs. BILLY YATES’ HIT SONGWRITERS IN THE ROUND will be presented at Silver Dollar City in Branson from September 6th thru the 22nd in conjunction with their Country Music Days Celebration.
Just when you thought there could be no more… Many weekends throughout the season will feature the CHOICES CONCERT SERIES and will star national acts. Artists scheduled to perform this season are:
September 28th – T. GRAHAM BROWN (“Hell and High Water”, “Darlene”, “I Tell It Like It Used to Be”)
October 5th – GARY MORRIS (“The Wind Beneath My Wings”, “Velvet Chains”, “Why Lady Why”)
November 16th – TIM RUSHLOW (Former lead singer of LITTLE TEXAS) (“God Blessed Texas”, “What Might’ve Been”)
November 23rd – RICOCHET (“Daddy’s Money”, “What Do I Know”, “Love Is Stronger Than Pride”)
CHOICES SALOON AND CONCERT HALL will also feature a full restaurant, line dance lessons, jam nights and more. Make plans now to visit what is destined to be Branson’s premier venue for dining, dancing, live music, and more for the whole family!
For tickets to any of the shows or concerts, call 417-320-6242. You can also visit www.ChoicesConcertHall.com or www.NashvilleNightsBranson.com to learn more.
