Nominees announced for Branson Show Awards

The Branson Show Awards, Branson's locally owned and longest running music awards event, is gearing up for their 2026 show.

Founded in 2004 by Gary Wackerly, and owned now by Michael Wackerly, James Kast and Brandon Wackerly, the Branson Show Awards held a ceremony on July 1 to announce this year's nominees. Entertainers, fans and friends attended the special, star-studded ceremony, held at the Nashville Road House Theater.

In the category of Band of the Year, the nominees included Fire in the Home (Americana Theater), All Star Band (The Showroom), Rhinestone Mafia (Grand Country Music Hall), Double Diamond Band (Main Stage and Event Center) and NRL (Nashville Roadhouse).

Nominated for Bass Player of the Year were Bill Foster (The Showroom), Camby Henson (Clay Cooper Theatre), Dillon Massengale (The Showroom), Larry Allred (Grand Country Music Hall) and Justin Herzog (IMAX Little Opry Theater).

Drummer of the Year nominees were Drew Lanning (The Showroom), Tim Pope (Main Stage and Event Center), Caleb Rust (Nashville Roadhouse), Josh Gabriel (Reza Live Theatre) and Garrett Massengale (The Showroom).

The nominees for Fiddler of the Year were Nathan Agdeppa (Americana Theater), Wayne Massengale (The Showroom), Louis Darby (IMAX Little Opry Theater), Amy Dutton Arambulo (The Duttons Theater), and Katie Peterson (IMAX Little Opry Theater).

Instrumentalist of the Year nominees included Nathan Agdeppa (Nashville Roadhouse Theater), Jonathan Black (Clay Cooper Theatre), George Geisser (IMAX Little Opry Theater), Forest Herzog (The Showroom) and Eric Green (Main Stage and Event Center).

Those nominated for Keyboardist of the Year were Lee Hendrix (Americana Theater), Chris Bustillos (The Showroom), Lymon Clark (Nashville Roadhouse Theater), Tracy Heaston (Grand Country Music Hall), and Will Clark (Reza Live Theatre). 

Those receiving nominations for Steel/Dobro Player of the Year included Robbie Springfield (Grand Country Music Hall), Emmitt Franz (IMAX Little Opry Theater), Gene Mulvaney (Americana Theater), George Geisser (The Showroom), and Bruce Leighton (Nashville Roadhouse Theater).

In the category of Guitarist of the Year, the nominees were Mike McAdoo (Americana Theater), Robert Terry (Grand Country Music Hall), Jacob Nelson (Kings Castle Theatre), Kevin Allen (Pepsi Legends Theatre) and Mark Boyd (Nashville Roadhouse Theater).

For Oracle Entertainer of the Year, nominees were Rick Thomas (Americana Theater), Aaron Wayne (Americana Theater), Dave Hamner (Hamners' Theater), Steve Sanders (IMAX Little Opry Theater), and The Revollusionists (Reza Live Theatre).

Nominees for Comedian of the Year were Matt Gumm (Clay Cooper Theatre), Andy Parks (Grand Country Music Hall), Terry Wayne Sanders (Americana Theater), Jarrett Dougherty (Grand Country Music Hall) and Paul May (Hughes Brothers Theatre).

Nominated for Vocal Group of the Year were The Petersons (IMAX Little Opry Theater), New South (Grand Country Music Hall), Absolutely Country Definitely Gospel (Americana Theater), Motown Downtown (Branson Hot Hits Theater) and Mountain Hollers (IMAX Little Opry Theater).

Those nominated for Duet of the Year included Jamie Haage/Kimberly Barber (Grand Country Music Hall), Garrett and Dillon Massengale (The Showroom), Keith Allyn/Diana Lynn (Main Stage and Event Center), Tammy and Tonya Bilyeu (Grand Country Music Hall) and Eric and Lindsey Heatherly (Americana Theater).

The Emcee of the Year nominees are Brandon Mabe (Hughes Brothers Theatre), Keith Allyn (Main Stage and Event Center), Mike Patrick (Grand Country Music Hall), Matt Petersen (IMAX Little Opry Theater) and Matthew Mahoberac (Clay Cooper Theatre).

For Dance Troupe of the Year, nominees were Hot Rods and High Heels (Clay Cooper Theatre), ReVibe (Hughes Brothers Theatre), Country Express Cloggers (Clay Cooper Theatre), MJ Dancers (Pepsi Legends Theatre) and The Ultimate 70's Show (Kings Castle).

In the category for Patriotic Salute of the Year, nominees were Spirit of America (Kings Castle Theater), Absolutely Country Definitely Gospel (Americana Theater), Matt Gumm and Company (Clay Cooper Theater), Clay Cooper Country Express (Clay Cooper Theatre) and A Neil Diamond Tribute (Main Stage and Event Center).

Nominees for Tribute Artist of the Year were Michael Knight (Pepsi Legends Theatre), Dean Z (Clay Cooper Theatre), Rick McEwen (Americana Theater) Keith Allynn (Main Stage and Event Center) and Tim Hadler (Americana Theater).

For Tribute Show of the Year, nominees were Dean Z -Ultimate Elvis (Clay Cooper Theatre), The Gambler (Americana Theater), MJ - The Illusion (Pepsi Legends Theatre), Legends in Concert (Pepsi Legends Theatre) and Johnny Cash and Friends (The Showroom).

Comedy Show of the Year nominees were Branson Murder Mystery (Majestic), Matt Gumm & Company (Clay Cooper Theatre), Comedy Jamboree (Grand Country Music Hall), Smoke on the Mountain (IMAX Little Opry Theater) and CJ Newsom's Classic Country and Comedy (Americana Theater).

The nominees for Gospel Show of the Year were Southern Gospel Sundays (Americana Theater), Mountain Hollers Worship (IMAX Little Opry Theater), Absolutely Country Definitely Gospel (Americana Theater), New South Gospel (Grand Country Music Hall) and Ozarks Gospel (Grand Country Music Hall).

Family Show of the Year nominees include Branson's Murder Mystery (Majestic), Hamners' Unbelievable Variety Show (Hamners' Theater), The Duttons (Duttons Theater), Shanghai Circus (Mickey Gilley Grand Shanghai Theater) and Pets and Giggles (Grand Country Music Hall).

In the category of New Show of the Year, nominees were Spirit of America (Kings Castle Theater), Mountain Hollers (IMAX Little Opry Theater), George Strait Tribute Show (Branson Hot Hits Theater), The Revollusionists (Reza Live Theatre) and Rock n Roll Sunrise (The Showroom).

Nominated for Morning Show of the Year were Doug Gabriel Ultimate Variety Show (Reza Live Theatre), Melody Hart and the All Star Band (The Showroom), Down Home Country (Grand Country Music Hall), Rock n Roll Sunrise (The Showroom) and Sounds of Simon and Garfunkel (Hamners' Theater).

For Matinee Show of the Year, the nominees were The Petersens (IMAX Little Opry Theater), British Invasion (The Showroom), #1 Hits of the 60's (Clay Cooper Theatre), Hot Rods and High Heels (Clay Cooper Theatre) and Classic Rock Icons (The Showroom).

The nominees for Early Evening Show of the Year were ReVibe (Hughes Brothers Theatre), Thanks for the Music - A Modern Day Tribute to ABBA (Hamners' Theater), Back to the Bee Gees (Hamners' Theater), George Jones and Friends (IMAX Little Opry Theater) and Patsy Cline and Friends (Americana Theater). 

Evening Show of the Year nominees were Listen to the Music (The Showroom), Anthems of Rock (Kings Castle), Clay Cooper Country Express (Clay Cooper Theatre), Motown Downtown (Branson Hot Hits Theater) and Grand Jubilee (Grand Country Music Hall).

Nominations for Female Vocalist of the Year went to Anna Maria Watson (The Showroom), Ashley Dawn (Pepsi Legends Theatre), Jamie Gumm Bainbridge (Clay Cooper Theatre), Chelsea Odom (Hamners' Theater) and Kimberly Barber (Grand Country Music Hall).

In the category of Female Entertainer of the Year, those nominated were CJ Newsom (Americana Theater), Sade Shine (Branson Hot Hits Theater), Ashley Dawn (Hughes Brothers Theatre), Diana Lynn (Main Stage and Event Center) and Megan McCombs Mabe (Hughes Brothers Theatre).

Male Vocalist of the Year nominees included George Dyer (Americana Theater), Stevie Lee Woods (Nashville Roadhouse Theater), Doug Gabriel (Reza Live Theatre), Dillon Massengale (The Showroom) and Mel Barber (Grand Country Music Hall).

Nominees for Male Entertainer of the Year were Matthew Boyce (Americana Theater), Clay Cooper (Clay Cooper Theatre), Stevie Lee Woods (Nashville Roadhouse Theater), Doug Gabriel (Reza Live Theatre) and Matt Gumm (Clay Cooper Theatre.)

Those nominated for the final and most prestigious category, Entertainers of the Year, included Dean Z - Ultimate Elvis (Clay Cooper Theater), #1 Hits of the 60's (Clay Cooper Theater), The Duttons (The Duttons Theater), Matt Gumm and Company (Clay Cooper Theatre) and the Hughes Music Show (Hughes Brothers Theatre).

Congratulations to each of the nominees!  Best of luck to all in the upcoming Branson Show Awards.