Welcome!

Watch the Gene Williams Show each week - on over 100 TV stations

Gene Williams sets open house for Land Co. in Dyess
 

            DYESS, Ark. – From concerts to carnivals, the open house for the Gene Williams Land Company, set for April 25 at noon in downtown Dyess, Ark., promises to be an event that will be remembered for a long time.

            The World Famous Platters, singing hits such as “The Great Pretender,” “Twilight Time,” “Only You (Just You)” and “Smoke Gets in Your Eyes,” are headlining a full slate of entertainment and will culminate with someone winning a five-gallon jug filled with cash.

Watch the Gene Williams Show on stations in Springfield, Branson, Little Rock, Jonesboro, Ark., Nashville, St. Louis, Decatur, Ill., Ada and Ardmore, Okla., Sherman/Denison, Texas, plus on RTN which is over 100 stations including 11 of the top 30 markets in the nation. For the stations and specific dates and times click here.

Mickey Gilley Replaces Ed McMahon as Gene Williams TV Show Announcer

Gilley holds the record for the most number of repeat appearances as a guest star on the Lucas Oil sponsored Gene Williams Country TV Show and has even hosted the show. From the Hollywood Walk of Fame to Gilley’s in Texas and then Branson, Gilley has had his own theater in the entertainment town since the ‘90s.

"My friend Mickey Gilley has supported me for the nearly eight years I have been doing my show in Branson. He substituted as a host several years ago when I was hospitalized after suffering a heart attack. He has helped me tremendously and has been a regular guest. He talks about my show at every show he does in his Mickey Gilley Theatre and I return the favor on my show and talk about his live show here in Branson and his great career in country music," said Williams who began his country music television show in Arkansas 45 years ago.

"Among his 17 number-one hits biggest hits are Room Full of Roses, Don't the Girls All Get Prettier at Closing Time, and the remake of Stand by Me. Early in my country music career I was booking country artists in different venues, and I put Mickey on my stage in Horseshoe Bend, Ark. It’s important to me that after decades, we are still great friends," said Williams.

Seen coast-to-coast and border-to-border and broadcast to more then 50 million homes weekly the Gene Williams Country Television Show is taped live at the Gene Williams Theatre inside the Branson Mall. The show’s co-host Katie Lynn is also one of Gilley’s Urbanettes and has worked with Gilley for more than eight years. Williams and Katie Lynn interview a celebrity guest each week and the guest and Katie Lynn perform with Williams’ Country Junction Band.

In addition to Gilley and McMahon, the TV show’s guests have included the Oak Ridge Boys, Roy Clark, Barbara Fairchild, Sons of the Pioneers, the Osmonds, Johnny Cash’s band The Tennessee Three, the Blackwood Brothers, Helen Cornelius, Johnny Lee, Little Jimmy Dickens, Porter Wagoner, Wanda Jackson and more.

"My good friend Ed McMahon was one of my first guests when I started my television show in Branson and I appreciate his introducing me each week with his characteristic ‘Herrrre’s Gene.’ After all these years, it was time for a change and Mickey willingly filmed a new opening and closing. Look for other country artists joining in soon and perhaps a mixture of celebrities including Ed McMahon on future shows," Williams said.

George D. Hay Music Hall of Fame induction
to include Gene Williams, Loretta Lynn

click here for more information

Gene Williams, Loretta Lynn, Dot Rhodes and Mike Snider will be inducted into the George D. Hay Music Hall of Fame, named for the man who created the Grand Ole Opry.

The George D. Hay Music Hall of Fame and Foundation, located in Mammoth Spring, Ark., honors the memory of George D. Hay, who credited a hoe down in the town as the inspiration for his creation of the Grand Ole Opry. Both the hall of fame and foundation have the support and encouragement of Hay’s daughter, Margaret Hay-Van Damm.

“The (George D. Hay Music) Hall of Fame induction, by foundation selection, is a means of recognizing rare individuals who have played an outstanding and enduring role in the world of country music. Your musical history and career set you apart as one such individual,” said Bob Ross, president and 2009 awards chair of the hall and the foundation.

The induction will be conducted during the 13th Annual George D. Hay Music Hall of Fame and Hoe Down Awards Show on Sept. 20 at the George D. Hay Music Hall of Fame Theater in Mammoth Spring, Ark.

Williams’ love of country music began while in school – the same school attended by Johnny Cash in Dyess, Ark. His first job in country music was as a DJ for KWAM radio. He was named Grand Ole Opry DJ of the Year in 1961. 

It didn’t take Williams long to move into television and within four months he had three TV shows. Over the past five decades, his TV shows have won numerous awards and become the largest syndicated country music TV show not affiliated with Nashville. The show was rated as the most popular TV show in national ratings by WNGF Buffalo Broadcasting of New York and as a favorite TV show in a national magazine. Williams even helped Dr. Phil make a dream come true for one of his guests by making him a feature country singer on Williams’ show.

The Gene Williams Country Music TV Show was featured in the June 2009 issue of Better Homes and Gardens as a nostalgia experience in a live television show. For the past eight years the show has been taped in Branson live before a studio audience. Guests have included Mickey Gilley, who is his current announcer, the Oak Ridge Boys, Roy Clark, Johnny Lee, Barbara Fairchild, Sons of the Pioneers, Johnny Cash’s band The Tennessee Three, the Blackwood Brothers, Helen Cornelius, Leona Williams, Charlie Louvin, Mary Lou Turner, Cal Smith, Stonewall Jackson, Norma Jean, Porter Wagoner, Jim Owen, Buck Trent, Wanda Jackson and many more.

In Williams’ nomination biography, Ross wrote, “Gene is a man who strives to keep alive the spirit of country music for all music fans.” Williams’ fans recently presented him with a Gold Record for the #1 classic country music show in America 

Williams has been honored by his hometown with a road named after him following a 2007 key to the city presentation and a historical marker recognizing his support to help preserve the town’s history. A historical building in Dyess will be a museum recognizing former residents, Johnny Cash, Tommy Cash and Williams. He was grand marshal in the first Dyess Christmas Parade in 2008. 

He has also received the key to the city of Horseshoe Bend, Ark., for his work to bring significant country entertainment to the resort community during its early development and April 11, 2009, was named Gene Williams Day. 

Williams holds a honorary doctorate in television and broadcast communications from St. Martins College for his community commitment to the industry, was honored by the states of Arkansas and Missouri for his work in the tourism, entertainment and communities, has been nominated for induction into the Arkansas Entertainers Hall of Fame and is a member of the Memphis Music Hall of Fame.

Williams’ television career led to his making two movies, Country Music Jamboree and Sound of Country Music that starred more than 39 Grand Ole Opry stars. He has worked with such greats as Johnny Cash, the Carter Family, the Statler Brothers, Carl Perkins, Charlie Walker, Charlie Louvin, Del Reeves, Merle Haggard, Ray Price, Minnie Pearl and Jack Greene. 

Williams said, “I am honored to be included in the 2009 induction group along with country icon Loretta Lynn, Dot Rhodes, entertainer and wife of Hall of Fame member Dusty Rhodes, and Mike Snider, an extraordinarily talented musician in country music.”

Also read...
-Gene Williams works to benefit hometown
-Gene Williams presented key to hometown for helping preserve Dyess Colony history.
-Gene Williams donates to save hometown's history.
-Show Expands
-Winner of Three 2007 National Telly Awards!