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PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. March 20, 2008 - The largest Tony Roma’s restaurant in the world opens on the Parkway in Pigeon Forge, Tenn. on Monday, March 24. Considered the pioneer of baby back ribs, Tony Roma’s has a global presence with more than 250 restaurants in 35 countries including the U.S., and average in size around 5,600 square feet. The Pigeon Forge location is close to 12,000 square feet - a statistic that will help meet the dining demands of a tourist destination with around 13 million visitors a year. It is also the largest restaurant in Pigeon Forge with 346 seats and will employee 160 people.
The new franchise location is co-owned by David Fee, president, and Jim Hedrick, vice president, of the Fee/Hedrick Family Entertainment Group. Both agree that size is not their ultimate objective, but rather offering a quality family dining experience. Fee says, “The decision to open this particular franchise was based more on location and timing, in addition to the world-class reputation of Tony Roma’s first-rate food. This is a beautiful, first-class restaurant that specializes in providing a quality casual dining experience for families.
I ultimately chose to open a Tony Roma’s after seeing how it anchors large-scale developments in other tourist areas like Nashville and Myrtle Beach.” Fee says. The Fee/Hedrick Family Entertainment Group also owns the nearby Black Bear Jamboree Theater and The Miracle Theater, which is next door to the new restaurant. Fee adds, “Our opening takes advantage of the latest interior designs and menu additions Tony Roma’s has to offer customers. We’re happy to be the first restaurant to incorporate these new concepts.”
Tony Roma’s worldwide success story is attributed to its award-winning famous ribs and variety of mouth-watering sauces. But the Tony Roma’s story does not end with ribs. USDA Choice char-grilled steaks, original barbecue chicken, delicious seafood and fresh salads, make up a menu that is sure to please every guest.
The decor of the new Pigeon Forge restaurant features rustic stack stone accents, set against mustard-yellow walls, dark wood trim, sleek contemporary lighting, black leather and grey-printed upholstered seating and cherry-stained table tops. The interior focal point is a handsomely-trimmed wooden bar with a reflective glass backdrop that can accommodate 16 people at a time. The location will serve beer and wine, in addition to specialty non-alcoholic cocktails and milkshakes.
Vintage artwork hung in the restaurant features pictures of the original Tony Roma’s chef and a picture of the original Tony Roma’s restaurant in North Miami, Fla. that opened 30 years ago in 1978. To incorporate local flare, inset display cases at booths around the restaurant salute some of the biggest names in Country music - Kenny Chesney and Faith Hill to name a few.
Shane Womack, director of franchise operations for Tony Roma’s, is in Pigeon Forge for the restaurant’s opening. “This is considered an iconic opening for us. Tony Roma’s is a very recognizable brand that has a solid history of doing very well in tourist destinations. The business opportunity in Pigeon Forge is very similar to when we opened the International Drive location near Walt Disney World in Orlando, Fla. We are hoping for big things from this new franchise as well. This appears to be a very good fit not only on the business side, but also for area residents and visitors alike.”
The new restaurant offers customer’s several special service options, including a private meeting/party room that can accommodate up to 60 people, a carry-out Ribs To Go service, gift cards available in any denomination, and Tony Roma’s online Roma Rib Expert Club, where you can get all the latest scoop on promotions, news, and special offers from the restaurant chain at www.tonyromas.com.
Tony Roma’s is located at 2050 Parkway (traffic light 0) in Pigeon Forge, Tenn. The new restaurant is at the same location as the former Country Legends Grill and Alabama Grill. Hours of operation are 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Reservations for parties of eight of more people are accepted depending on the day and time by calling (865) 908-8777. For more information or to view the menu online, visit www.tonyromaspigeonforge.com.
DATE: March 20, 2008
CONTACT: Deborah Fee Newsom | Allison Miller
PHONE: (865) 774-8877 | (865) 414-6887
E-MAIL: deborah@feehedrick.com
PIGEON FORGE, Tenn., Feb. 6, 2008 — The Fee/ Hedrick Family Entertainment Group is ready for the 2008 season with four theaters and five productions that offer a variety of entertainment unrivaled on the Parkway in Pigeon Forge. The Comedy Barn, The Black Bear Jamboree Theater, The Miracle Theater and the Magic Beyond Belief Theater offer East Tennessee residents and tourist alike a family-friendly entertainment experience at affordable prices.
David Fee, co-owner of the Fee/Hedrick Family Entertainment Group, says each show has its own audience niche, but all the company’s shows are geared towards families. “We have comedy lovers, bear lovers, Broadway show lovers, religious show lovers, gospel music fans and magic lovers. We provide clean, wholesome entertainment for families who return to see our shows again and again,” Fee says.
The Comedy Barn
Now in its 13th season, the multi-million dollar Comedy Barn Theater continues to make audiences roar with its nationally-known, family-friendly comedians, ventriloquists, magicians, jugglers, fire-eaters, musicians and fun barn yard animals.
The Comedy Barn was the first theater we opened in Pigeon Forge in 1995, and we are still a barrel of laughs and more,” says Fee. The Comedy Barn has been voted “Funniest Show in Town” by its fans the past 12 years. For the 2008 season, the funniest show has gotten even funnier with new cast members, new routines, new jokes and new country, gospel and patriotic music.
The Comedy Barn is located one-half block past light number three on U.S. 441. Open year round, The Comedy Barn currently has one show on Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday nights and two shows on Saturday night. Beginning in March, shows run every night, with two shows on Saturdays. Tickets are $24.95, plus tax. Children 11 and younger are admitted free with each paying adult. For tickets, call 1-800-29 LAUGH. For more information, visit www.comedybarn.com.
Magic Beyond Belief
The Magic Beyond Belief Theater opened last spring on the Parkway in Pigeon Forge. The show stars International Star of Magic, Terry Evanswood, his four magic assistants, and several exotic animals headlined by a 400-pound Bengal tiger. The show features stunning illusions, exotic animals, mind-boggling special effects, and comedy. It is a high-energy, fast-faced production that is fun for the whole family.
Evanswood says in all of his shows that he is not trying to trick anyone, but bring the child out in everyone who attends his show. He has been performing professionally since the age of 10. Originally from Chicago, Evanswood has appeared in live stage shows and on national television programs throughout the United States.
Ticket prices for the Magic Beyond Belief Show are $24.95 plus tax. Children 11 and under are free with one paying adult. The theater is open on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturdays at 3:00 p.m. for matinees and on Friday and Saturdays at 8:15 p.m. for evening shows, with Sundays being dark. People can call (865) 428-5600 for reservations. For more information about the show, visit www.pigeonforgemagic.com.
Black Bear Jamboree Theater
The Black Bear Jamboree Theater has hosted an estimated 1.5 million patrons since the theater opened in May 2002. Now in its seventh season, the theater is featuring a new multi-million dollar theatrical extravaganza bringing audiences movie music from Hollywood, the hottest tunes from the ’70s Disco era, and new Country music favorites, complete with a finale of inspirational and patriotic numbers.
The “Black Bear Jamboree Dinner and Show” features a large cast of actors, singers, dancers and musicians, collectively making more than 250 costume changes, set against all-new theatrical enhancements, including extraordinary sets, colorful lasers, surround sound, state-of-the-art lighting, and black light special effects. Six animatronic black bears complete the show.
The dinner show experience begins with a three-course meal, accompanied by a Country music pre-show performed by the award-winning Black Bear Jamboree All-Star Band. The Country feast includes creamy vegetable soup, hickory-pit barbeque ribs, southern-style tender roasted chicken, seasoned green beans, farm-fresh seasoned potatoes, fresh buttery corn on the cob, hot golden brown rolls, unlimited beverages and a signature desert.
David Fee, co-owner and president of Fee/Hedrick, says the goal of the new show is to give new audiences and repeat patrons a quality entertainment experience unlike any other show in the area. “When you come to the Black Bear Jamboree you are guaranteed lots of bears, lots of music, lots of fun and a guaranteed hand-clapping, toe-tapping good time,” Fee says.
The 750-seat Black Bear Jamboree Theater is open year round with dinner shows nightly at 4:30 p.m. Beginning on March 17, there will be an additional 7:30 p.m. show. Adult tickets are $38.95, plus tax. Children 11 and under are free with each paying adult. Additional child tickets are $9.95, plus tax. Tickets are available by calling (865) 908-SHOW (7469). Groups of 20 or more qualify for group rates, available by calling 1-866-492-6972. The Black Bear Jamboree Theater is located at 119 Music Road between traffic lights 0 and 1 on the Parkway in Pigeon Forge, Tenn. For more information about the show, visit www.blackbearjamboree.com
Blackwood Breakfast Variety Show
Start your day with an inspirational song, some laughs, and a big breakfast at the Blackwood Breakfast Variety Show, beginning March 25, at The Black Bear Jamboree Theater. You’ll see why it’s the Smokies’ No. 1 morning show as soon as you hear the music and celebrate the legacy of one of the most well-known and respected families in Gospel music, The Blackwood’s.
The men of The Blackwood Brothers Quartet deliver four-part harmony reminiscent of the original Blackwood Brothers with a multimedia tribute to the famous musical pioneers. The Blackwood Singers take the stage with the ladies of the singing family and their soaring sopranos, mellow alto, dazzling costumes, and hilarious antics leaving you wanting more. Top it all off with an original Patriotic Tribute that ends the show in a flood of red-white-and-blue.
The Blackwood Breakfast Variety Show runs Tuesday through Sunday mornings at The Black Bear Jamboree Theater at 119 Music Road in Pigeon Forge, Tenn. Call 865-908-SHOW for reservations. Ticket prices are $24.95, plus tax. Children 11 and under are free with one paying adult. For more information, visit www.theblackwoods.com.
The Miracle Theater
Opening for its third season on March 1, 2008. “The Miracle” is a $15 million production that features a cast of multi-talented actors, singers, and dancers, along with an array of live animals. The Miracle Theater became a ministry in 2007 with a mission to present faith-based family entertainment through live theatrical productions revealing the person of Jesus Christ as The Living Word of God.
Not a pageant or passion play, The Miracle is a spectacular, Broadway-style musical, with a mix of soaring original scores, and arrangements of inspirational, familiar songs of faith. An emphasis is placed on the epic struggle between forces of good and evil, as an underlying theme of spiritual warfare provides an extra dramatic dimension. Exciting angelic aerial battles take place right above the audience. Live animals, including camels, donkeys, and other biblical-period creatures proceed right through the theater! Three-dimensional video effects using front and rear-screen projection and state-of-the-art special effects place “The Miracle” production in the same entertainment category as any show available in Vegas or on Broadway today.
The Miracle Theater also offers an exciting Backstage Tour that takes patrons on a VIP tour of the theater and inner-workings of The Miracle show. Hosted by Miracle actors, the 45-minute tour shows visitors the dressing rooms, the wardrobe room, the wig room, the sets, the stage, and finally the stables to see the animals that appear in the show.
“The Miracle” runs March-December at The Miracle Theater, located at 2046 on the Parkway in Pigeon Forge, Tenn., with shows at 7:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 2:00 p.m. matinees on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Adult tickets are $38.95, plus tax. Children 11 and under are free with each paying adult. For tickets, call 865-428-SHOW (7469). Groups of 20 people or more can receive a discounted rate by calling reservations at 1-866-492-6972. For more information or to see video clips of the show, visit www.miracletheater.com.
About Fee/Hedrick Family Entertainment Group
Fee/Hedrick Family Entertainment Group is the second largest privately-owned entertainment company in the Southeastern U.S. For more information about any of Fee/Hedrick’s shows, visit www.feehedrick.com.
DATE: February 8, 2007
CONTACT: Deborah Fee Newsom | Allison Miller
PHONE: (865) 774-8877 | (865) 414-6887
E-MAIL: deborah@feehedrick.com
Christian Actors and Entertainers have had ENOUGH
Pigeon Forge, Tenn., Sept. 16, 2007- Sparked by the recent anti-Christian comments made by Kathy Griffin while accepting an Emmy award, a faith-based theatrical group is putting their money where their mouths – and hearts- are. Spending more than a hundred-thousand dollars in a David vs. Goliath effort so that their voices can be heard, the relatively small group of performers at The Miracle Theater in Pigeon Forge, Tenn., has taken out an ad in a nationally circulated news publication (USA TODAY) to run on Monday, Sept. 17, 2007. A petition has been added to the website: www.miracletheater.com, and members of the cast and management have embarked on a media campaign to defend Christianity.
The Miracle Theater’s team is outraged at Hollywood’s lack of respect for Christianity. Acknowledging that every American has a right to worship freely and speak freely, The Miracle Theater general manager Russ Hollingsworth explains: “What is shocking to us is how people tend to respond to comments like this about Jesus Christ. It made my heart sick to see people in the audience at the Emmy’s laughing at Griffin’s remarks. It should not be acceptable to mock anyone’s faith. We have to start changing the hearts and minds of people on this subject!”
The following is an excerpt from the Christian theater’s advocacy message to be printed in USA TODAY:
“Over 2,000 years ago, Jesus was mocked and few stood up for him. We, at the Miracle Theater consider it an honor to stand for Jesus today. We may never win a national award. We may never be household names. We may never be seen in Hollywood. Although others may choose to use their national platform to slander our God, we are honored as professional entertainers to stand for Christ.”
+ + +
DATE: September 15, 2007
CONTACT: Shelley Layne Blackwood and Cindy House
E-MAIL: press@miracletheater.com
PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. - Get ready to clap your hands, stomp your feet and get your groove on because the “Black Bear Jamboree Dinner and Show” is throwing a big party with the launch of a new musical revue show in celebration of its sixth season in Pigeon Forge, Tenn. The multi-million theatrical extravaganza brings audiences movie music from Hollywood, the hottest tunes from the ’70s Disco era, and new Country music favorites, complete with a finale of inspirational and patriotic numbers.
The show features a large cast of actors, singers, dancers and musicians, collectively making more than 250 costume changes, set against all-new theatrical enhancements, including extraordinary sets, colorful lasers, surround sound, state-of-the-art lighting, and black light special effects. Six animatronic black bears complete the show.
The dinner show experience begins with a three-course meal, accompanied by a Country music pre-show performed by the award-winning Black Bear Jamboree All-Star Band. The Country feast includes creamy vegetable soup, hickory-pit barbeque ribs, southern-style tender roasted chicken, seasoned green beans, farm-fresh seasoned potatoes, fresh buttery corn on the cob, hot golden brown rolls, unlimited beverages and a signature desert. Vegetarian lasagna is also available upon request.
The show follows dinner. The new show’s story line follows a family of black bears watching a team of Hollywood directors make a movie entitled “The Black Bear Jamboree.” In the end, the black bears learn that the movie’s message is about the spirit and culture of the Smoky Mountains region.
Main characters of the new show are Mr. Schlemielberg, a talented Hollywood director (played by Jimmy Bryant), and Dexter, a bumbling assistant director who is aspiring to be a star (played by Stacy Mitchell).
Produced by the Fee/Hedrick Family Entertainment Group, the
Black Bear Jamboree has hosted an estimated 1.5 million patrons since the theater opened in May 2002.
David Fee, co-owner and president of Fee/Hedrick, says the goal of the new show is to give new audiences and repeat patrons a quality entertainment experience unlike any other show in the area. “When you bring come to the Black Bear Jamboree you are guaranteed lots of bears, lots of music, lots of fun and a guaranteed hand-clapping, toe-tapping good time,” Fee says.
A number of Fee/Hedrick employees collectively contributed to the script of the new show, including Stephen Knowles, Bob Hamill, David Hirschi, Alvin Robinette, and Russ Hollingsworth. Under the leadership of general manager Scot Tillery, the new top-rate show has been in the works for the past nine months, beginning with last fall’s cast auditions.
Scot Tillery says the cast for the 2007 season was specially selected with the new show’s performance demands in mind. “For this show we cast performers who were not only good singers and actors, but also were talented in many styles of dance.”
The new show features about a dozen different dance styles - tap, jazz, ballet, disco, adagio pairs dancing, Broadway show-style dancing, square dancing and contemporary Country line dancing, just to name a few.
The show features about fifty songs in five melody segments - Hollywood show tunes, ’70s disco music, new Country favorites, inspirational spirituals, and a patriotic finale. Tillery says of the song selections, “We’ve kept the same musical revue format of the Black Bear Jamboree Show that audiences are accustom to, but we’ve included new styles of music such as movie music and brought a new flare to the show with the disco fever number.
So far, audiences have commented that they like hearing great Country music, but that they get a little extra at our show with other types of music represented,” Tillery says.
The 750-seat Black Bear Jamboree Theater is open year round with dinner shows at 5:30 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. daily. Adult tickets are $34.95, plus tax. One child, age 11 and under, is free with each paying adult. Additional child tickets are $9.95, plus tax. Tickets are available by calling (865) 908-SHOW (7469). Groups of 20 or more qualify for group rates, available by calling 1-866-492-6972. The Black Bear Jamboree Theater is located at 119 Music Road between traffic lights 0 and 1 on the Parkway in Pigeon Forge, Tenn. For more information about the show, visit www.blackbearjamboree.com.
The “Black Bear Jamboree Dinner and Show” is produced by Fee/Hedrick Family Entertainment Group, which is the second largest privately-owned entertainment company in the Southeastern U.S. The company also owns and operates The Comedy Barn Theater, The Miracle Theater, and Magic Beyond Belief Theater in Pigeon Forge, Tenn. For more information about any of Fee/Hedrick’s shows, visit www.feehedrick.com.
DATE: June 18, 2006
CONTACT: Deborah Fee Newsom
PHONE: (865) 429-7183 or (865) 414-6887
E-MAIL: deborah@feehedrick.com
By J.J. Kindred as seen in the Mountain Press
PIGEON FORGE - The Black Bear Jamboree has undergone some major changes with a new musical revue show for its sixth season.
The show features movie tunes from Hollywood, country music favorites, disco dance hits from the ’70s and a finale featuring patriotic and gospel songs.
There is also an enhanced stage, surround sound, new lighting and more than 250 costume changes.
A family of animatronic black bears watching Hollywood directors making a movie called “The Legend of the Black Bear Jamboree” is the show’s new storyline, featuring the main characters of Mr. Schlemielberg, a star Hollywood director (played by Pigeon Forge theater veteran Jimmy Bryant), and Dexter, the nerdy assistant director who aspires to be a star (played by longtime Dollywood performer Stacy Mitchell).
“Dexter is probably me in real life,” Mitchell said with a laugh. “I really snort when I laugh like he does, which is embarrassing. He’s a combination of Jerry Lewis and (Steve) Urkel (from “Family Matters”).”
A Knoxville native and University of Tennessee graduate, Mitchell performed at Dollywood for six years. He auditioned for season four of “American Idol” and made it to the Hollywood round before being eliminated in the third stage.
“That was a great experience,” he said.
He added that being able to sing gospel music during the show fulfilled his dreams. “It was a real blessing,” Mitchell said. “I’ll just continue to go wherever the Lord leads me.”
Bryant, who wrote and directed the Smoky Mountain Opry show at the former Governors Palace Theatre, said they went through six or seven scripts before finally settling on one.
“A lot of different hands were involved in this,” Bryant said. “I was just asked to play the director. It’s over the top and that’s how my role came in. I had no writership in this one.
“There’s a lot more acting involved in this,” he continued. “I’m not much of an actor so I have to pull deeper and let my inhibitions go and commit to it. I feel kind of foolish at times because I’ve never done a lot of acting.”
Bryant said the music variety will give audiences more to appreciate.
“It’s almost like a variety show,” he said. “This is based on the prior show, but we didn’t do ’70s music. I don’t think there’s anyone else in town doing ’70s. We’ve added more gospel to this show - we get a higher demand for it.”
Scot Tillery, the show’s general manager, said the new production has been fun.
“We had less than four months to do our first show,” he said, “but we took our time to make sure everything was okay. The response has been amazing. The other night we had three rounds of applause and a standing ovation after the final song. I think people will continue to enjoy themselves.”