SOUTHWEST AIRLINES Southwest started flights in and out of Branson with daily nonstop service to Dallas Love Field, Houston Hobby and Chicago Midway, and Saturday-only service to Orlando.

OUTLAW RUN NEW AT SILVER DOLLAR CITY Thrill ride enthusiasts from around the world marked a first-of-its-kind ride debut at Branson's Silver Dollar City when the 1880s-style theme park made history with the opening of Outlaw Run, the world's most daring wood coaster.

AYO Ayo starring Voices of Glory kicks off its first season at the Hughes Brothers Theatre. The new show stars some very famous siblings, Michael, Avery, and Nadia Cole, who appeared on America's Got Talent. Ayo (Yoruba for Joy) is being co-produced by the Hughes Brothers who are known for their creative productions. Shows run March through December.

KIRBY VANBURCH Kirby VanBurch, internationally renowned entertainer and illusionist, has signed for permanent residency at a theater on Branson's world famous West 76 Highway, fondly known as “The Strip.” Having played at multiple theaters throughout his 20-plus year career in Branson,  Kirby says, “I've long joked about being one of the only entertainers in Branson actually touring Branson; so to be able to say that I've found my permanent home is really exciting; especially as me and the cats are ready to settle down.”  Kirby's new home is at 1835 W 76 Country Boulevard.

Tim McGraw, Lynyrd Skynyrd and Journey The Black Oak Amphitheater is set to host the biggest summer of concerts and the series will include some of the most popular touring acts in the nation. 

On June 23 country superstar Tim McGraw will bring his Two Lanes of Freedom tour to Black Oak Amp.  In his record-shattering career, McGraw has sold over 40 million albums, and dominated the charts with 32 Number-One singles. Supporting McGraw will be Brantley Gilbert with his #1 hits including “Country Must Be Country Wide” and “YouDon't Know Her like I Do.”  Completing the lineup will be Love & Theft, who earned their first country radio #1 in 2012 with “Angel Eyes.” 

July 5, Southern Rock legends Lynyrd Skynyrd will return to Black Oak Amphitheater. Hinder, the multi-Platinum Oklahoma City hard rockers best known for their Billboard Pop Chart #1 “Lips Of An Angel,” will take the stage before Lynyrd Skynrd.  Self-described “southern-fried hard rockers” Black Stone Cherry will also perform on the lineup. 

Completing the initial group of shows in the concert series is Journey on Friday, August 16. The band's “Don't Stop Believin'” is the top-selling digital catalog song in history with over 4.4 million downloads in the United States.  Additional support acts for the August 16th show are pending.

Oak Ridge Boys THEATRE HOSTS NATIONAL TOURING ACTS The Oak Ridge Boys kick off their 40th anniversary tour and will return to their Branson, MO theatre in 2013 with 27 dates starting in April. Throughout the year, the theater will host entertainers such as legendary Three Dog Night performing on July 13. Sawyer Brown performing on September 21, October 19 and November 23. Kenny Rogers comes in on October 11 and November 10. Country star Neal McCoy will perform 12 dates starting in October and don't miss The Charlie Daniels Band on November 8.  No one does comedy like Bill Cosby and he will perform on October 12.  The smooth sounds of Johnny Mathis and the unique style of comedy and music by Gary Mule Deer will be here November 15-16.  The season is complete with the Southern Gospel sounds of Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers who will perform 25 dates starting in September.

OSMONDS, LENNONS, O'DONNELL AND MORE AT MOON RIVER THEATRE The legacy of Andy Williams continues as the Moon River Theatre brings in more great entertainers. September and October host Moon River Weekends with Randy Travis, Clint Black, Lee Greenwood, Rich Little and others to be announced; two of the finest tribute acts in the country with Liverpool Legends (The Ultimate Beatles Experience featuring Louise Harrison, George's sister!) celebrating the 50th Anniversary of The Beatles' first appearance on American television, and OH WHAT A NIGHT, a tribute to Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons will appear in spring/summer 2013. And in the tradition of “Mr. Christmas” himself, in November and December the Andy Williams Christmas Show stars entertainment legends The Osmonds and The Lennon Sisters, joining a cast of dancers, singers and the Moon River Orchestra in a spectacular celebration of traditional family Christmas; Irish singing sensation Daniel O'Donnell headlines his own matinee production during Ozark Mountain Christmas.

Starlite Theatre Larry Black, host of “Larry's Country Diner” is appearing onstage at The Starlite Theatre with a series of musical guests throughout 2013. The updated list of special guests is listed below:

Joey+Rory: April 25-26

Bill Anderson: April 27-28

Dailey and Vincent: May 2-5

Gene Watson: May 9-10

Exile: May 11-12

Jimmy Fortune: May 16-17

Riders In The Sky: May 18-19

Collin Raye: May 23-24

T. Graham Brown: May 25-26

Wilson Fairchild: June 14-15-16

Marty Rabon: July 5-6-7

Gary Morris: August 23-24-25

Jimmy Fortune: August 30-Sept 1

Rhonda Vincent: Sept 10-12

Ronnie Robbins: Sept 13-15

Gene Watson Sept 24-26

Dailey and Vincent: Oct 1-3 (rescheduled from Aug 23-25)

THE CHILDREN OF TITANIC The world's largest museum attraction will bring Titanic's littlest heroes out of the shadows and into the hearts of guests when they find new stories dedicated exclusively to the Children of Titanic. Each child who boarded Titanic had a dream and a story to tell.

BARRY WILLIAMS The real Greg Brady is in a new show at RFD-TV Theatre. Totally 70's Music Explosion stars Barry Williams (of TV's Brady Bunch) as he takes audiences on a nostalgic trip back in time with talented singers and dancers, a live band and a state-of-the-art multimedia presentation.

PARAKEET PETE'S WATERFRONT ZIPLINE

Branson Zipline Canopy Tours presents Parakeet Pete's Waterfront Zipline! Guests will launch from Branson Landing and zip across Lake Taneycomo up to an observation platform on Mount Branson beginning this fall.

ADVENTURES OF MARCO POLO In 1271 A.D. the Italian explorer, Marco Polo, made his legendary trip to the ancient eastern mysterious nation of China. The Adventures of Marco Polo is an epic tale of exploration and wonder, love and loss with a cast of over 50 performers, magnificent sets and costuming. Beginning in July at the White House Theatre.

DANCING QUEEN: ABBA'S GREATEST HITS Touring since 2009 in places such as Monaco, Las Vegas, Reno and Niagara, Dancing Queen is now proud to call Branson its home.  ABBA fans won't want to miss this new show at the King's Castle Theatre.  The show pays tribute to the group in a musical extravaganza featuring singers and dancers performing those groovy 70's tunes!

DUDU FISHER “Jerusalem” performed by Dudu Fisher returns to the Caravelle Theatre for his first full season in Branson. He is known throughout the world for his stirring performance as Jean Valjean in the hit show “Les Miserables.” In addition to a long run in his home country of Israel, he starred in “Les Miz” on Broadway and in London's West End.

THE PRICE IS RIGHT LIVE! Are you ready to “Come On Down!”? Now it's your chance to play “The Price Is Right, Live!,” the on-stage, audience-interactive version of the longest running game show in TV history, appearing at The Welk Resort Branson. If you have ever dreamed of spinning the Big Wheel, dropping a Plinko chip or bidding on The Showcase, now your dream can become reality.

PROMISED LAND ZOO New on Shepherd of the Hills Expressway is the Promised Land Zoo, a sister facility to the 120-acre Promised Land Zoo in Eagle Rock, which is about 30 minutes west of Branson. The new educational, interactive attraction will feature small and baby exotic animals. Find out more at PLZoo.com

Xtreme Racing Xtreme Racing comes to Branson. Located directly on Branson's Famous Highway 76 Strip, the NEW Xtreme Thrill Park offers you the opportunity to drive a World Championship Racing Kart at speeds up to 40 MPH ! And at the same location, extreme thrill seekers can get their adrenaline fix by riding the Sky Surfer. This “one of a kind” flying surfboard will leave you breathless as you literally surf the air on a silver surfboard at close to 30 MPH.

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For additional information about Branson's more than 100 live shows, theme park, pristine lakes, golf courses, family attractions, shopping and other features, or to order a free Branson Vacation Guide, call the Branson/Lakes Area Convention & Visitors Bureau at 800-214-3661 or visit our website at www.ExploreBranson.com.