Friday, June 7, 2024
I chose the show Million Dollar Quartet about a night in December of 1956 that actually happened and was recorded: Elvis, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, and Johnny Cash got together and played music at Sun Records in Memphis. The recordings were released in the early 1980s, but I have never heard them.
It was a dinner show. They said we would have dinner immediately when the doors opened. I admit to thinking immediately was a bit of stretch, but I was wrong. There were long tables running the width of the room. We found our assigned seats and a lady came by within a minute of our sitting down with a big metal pitcher of potato soup and poured our serving into a waiting bowl. As we were finishing the soup, a guy with a GIANT tray of plated meals came by and gave us our dinner. It looked like a church basement dinner (and I do not think I have ever had a church basement dinner, so I don’t know why I said that). Beef tips, chicken breast, mashed potatoes, green beans, and a roll. Every bit of it was delicious. Delicious! I cleaned my plate (the little old lady next to me – she was probably within 10 years of me – ate three bites. Sad for her) before they delivered a piece of chocolate cake. The show started and I was swept away to 1956 Memphis. All of the actors were top notch musicians and did great interpretations of their characters. I really enjoyed watching Jerry Lee play the piano – boldly “improvising” to irritate Carl – and Keith was very impressed with Johnny Cash.
The show was part of the myriad of options at a place called Shepherd of the Hills. There is a mountain coaster and other outdoor activities, and several outdoor theaters. This is our last night in Branson, but I am pretty sure I could stay a month and not run out of things to do. Again, I am really glad that this many performers are finding steady work for appreciative audiences. The map lady told us to go right out of the parking lot, even though we had come from the left. Huh. We went an entirely new way home – through the countryside, up and down hills and around the corners. At one point, we were high up and could look down on the stretched-out lights of Branson. I’m sure we have been in at least some of those lit up places, but I have absolutely no idea how this place is laid out (and I kinda like it). I have been planning in my head the things we will do the next time we come to Branson – I hope Gary and Julie are ready for a return trip.
Now THAT sounds like a real “down home” dinner in all of its aspects. Another Missouri experience you guys have to try is Lambert’s Cafe in Sikeston (extreme southeastern Missouri). It’s “the home of throwed rolls” – yes – they literally THROW you your rolls. It’s also one of those places where one can eat far more than one should… But you won’t get a show like you experienced at Shepherd of the Hills – that’s been a famous locale for many, many years – and you’re exactly right. The Branson area is an employment lifeline for all the folks who live within 50 miles. Have a safe trip home!
There was a steakhouse with throwed rolls not far from us in Branson, and I saw a billboard this morning about the “home of throwed rolls”. Definitely another reason to come back!