Motown

After breakfast, we loaded the bus for a trek to see the Platters. No, not the original '60 's group, but a group doing their musical arrangements and the music of several other Motown groups and singles. We heard Ray Charles' music, Smokey Robinson, Chuck Berry, Chubby Checkers, Diana Ross, and several other groups in addition to all the Platters' hits from the 60's and 70's. The show was fast paced, had really pretty costumes (sparkly) and was staged like a 60's show complete with Do Wop back up vocals. One of the singers we heard this morning WAS a member of the original group, the others were good performers and singers. As far as I know no one in our group bought a poodle skirt as a souvenir, but they were available.

Interesting--a room full of about 600-700 "elderly" white people really "groovin'" to the music they heard as teenagers. And not a word was mentioned about race. It was a fun show even tho' we were packed in like sardines.

We were then delivered to "downtown" Branson, about a 4 block area w/ tourist type shops. We had lunch in a place so packed that we shared a table w/ a couple from upstate New York, until they left and then we shared with a couple from Hot Springs, AK. Hamburgers and sandwiches, but quite adequate.

The folks from Arkansas had about a 2 hour drive to get to Branson, while the New Yorkers had a 3 day trip, staying overnight twice to get here. We got some insights into what they enjoyed about Branson and what they didn't like. We didn't have much to offer to the conversations because this is our first trip here.

Our Bwd group is having some health problems. Our leader has been sick w/ a stomach problem for 2 days and we had another in the group get dizzy and faint this afternoon, trying to get on the bus to come back from downtown. It is thought that her problem is blood pressure connected. Not sure what is going on, but I hope the rest of us can stay healthy.

N is napping and I need to walk a little to stretch from SO MUCH SITTING. We're going to see Jim Stafford tonite and it will be another late night I think, My usual bedtime at home is 10 or so and we haven't been getting back to the room til 10:45 or 11, so I nod off on the bus getting us back to the room.
Be talking to you more tomorrow.