"I wanted a healthier kind of food than fried catfish and chicken," he stated. ![]() On top of his music-related businesses, Andy Williams opened a restaurant, called the Moon River Grill. In spite of his age, Andy Williams hasn't lost the melodious voice that made his hit songs like Days of Wine and Roses. I get tired, so I take naps," he admitted candidly. "My shows may look easy, but they take a lot of concentration and energy. Even though he was born in December 1927, he still performs several shows every year. It's obvious that Andy Williams isn't afraid of work. "You should be doing this," he said to his son with a grin and twinkles in his blue eyes. When we returned, we found Williams washing the dishes. We left him to enjoy his meal with one of his three sons, Christian, who was visiting for the day. Mid-interview, a staff member arrived with lunch for Williams. We built a house by Lake Taneycomo, where I fish for trout," he added. "Everything is here," he continued, "including the record company, sports and publishing businesses. I also sold the office building that I owned in L.A., as well as my house there, although I kept my house in Palm Springs." Trout fishing in Lake Taneycomo All the art, you see here, came from that apartment. "I took such a leap into Branson, that I sold my apartment in New York, which I loved. It's a great place for me to hang my hat and my golf clubs. "Good reviews spread by word of mouth, and now we get thousands of bus tour groups every year." Branson Missouri home Time changed that, according to Williams. Since bus groups book so far in advance, the Moon River Theatre didn't attract many of them in its first year. ![]() We do get a younger, more exuberant audience in the summer, when families come with their kids who are out of school." "They're older, so they're quieter, but they're very appreciative. Modern art, model steam engines and early Navajo blankets accent the decor.Īs we sank into a soft leather couch, Williams told us that his audiences in Branson were different from those he had when his show was on the road. A black baby grand piano, adorned with silver-framed portraits of family and friends, sits in front of a bookcase. The modern high-ceilinged living room/reception area overlooks a garden-filled courtyard. Highway 76, just east of Wildwood Drive, in Branson.)Īndy Williams plays the piano in his dressing room.Īs we glanced around, it was easy to see why Williams was proud of his dressing room. (Moon River Theatre is located at 2500 W. ![]() So without any gigs at other theaters to see how audiences would react, Williams built his $12 million theater, in time for the 1992 season. Williams realized that most Branson visitors were families and seniors looking for wholesome entertainment - country music and otherwise. "After the show, people from the audience came up and asked me if I was going to open a theater here too." "It was his opening night, June 15, 1991," recalled Williams. Comfortably attired in a black Moon River sweatshirt, he confided, "Looking back on it now, I realize what a chance I took moving here, putting all my money into building this theater, without even testing the market with my type of music."Īndy Williams moved to Branson because his brother, Don, was managing Ray Stevens and invited him to see Stevens' show. We'll never forget the time we interviewed Andy Williams in his dressing room. What Williams didn't tell his audience, was that he was one of the first non-country performers to start the middle-of-the-road music trend in Branson. That was about as country as the Andy Williams All-Star Variety Show got, here in the heart of Missouri's Ozark Mountains. It was once a sleepy little town, but then theaters started to sprout up, like fleas from the back of a mangy ol' coon hound." He paused and added, "That sounds country, doesn't it?" Noting several hands, he commented: "Then you really don't know how Branson has changed.
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