I remember taking piano lessons when I was a kid. I remember writing my own songs at the age of seven or eight. What I remember most, though, was that my piano teacher gave up teaching when she had a child. The new teacher, in a dark, upstairs room overlooking the Ozark square, was about 90 years old, had rotting teeth, and ancient, wrinkled hands. I never took another lesson. Rare is the parent who can spot talent in a child. Rarer still is the parent who can inspire a child to actively pursue their talent. So, kudos to Arnold and (the late) Joyce Knudsen, the parents of Barry, Kevin, Lynn, Jak, Owen, and Curtis Knudsen, better known as the Knudsen Brothers, or simply Six.
Six is comprised of the six oldest Knudsen Brothers (six of ten boys, no sisters); the four younger brothers are actively involved in the business, but do not perform on stage. Six is back in Branson again this year, and are still at the Hughes Brothers’ Theater on West 76, less than a half mile west of the Titanic. My wife and I took our grandson, Peyton, and our granddaughter, Marisa to the show. It was a sell-out show, and we arrived late, so we were in the back row of the balcony, but even from there, the show was enjoyable. Honestly, it was a hoot.
When my wife first suggested that we see Six, three years ago, I was not enthused. The idea of an a cappella group didn’t thrill me. Think Barbershop. But, Six is as far removed from Barbershop music as The Black Eyed Peas are from Buddy Holly. Six is truly enjoyable, and their show this year is even better than last years.
When one first hears Six, one wonders how they can harmonize so well. Then, one wonders how the percussionist can do that “mouth thing” so well, for so long. Then the next thing one thinks is, “How can they make it sound like they are backed by a band, when there are really no instruments?” Then, one stops thinking about it, and simply enjoys the show.
The Knudsens give a nod to Sinatra, the Beach Boys, and to the songs they grew up with, and a good time is had by all, even my four and five year old grandchildren. Even me. This is one of my wife’s two favorite Branson shows, and in my top ten. To my wife, Kathy, this is a show is a “MUST SEE.”
Branson Passport 