Branson, MO -- (SBWire) -- 01/05/2016 --"Last year, we produced almost 500 shows in the Andy Williams Performing Arts Center and Theater, and this next year will be an even more exciting season, with more artists and production shows than ever before," said Jimmy Osmond, the youngest member of the renowned Osmond Family and owner of the Andy Williams Performing Arts Center and Theater. "We're welcoming back our main shows that are familiar and loved by our regular Branson visitors, and this year, we've added an array of hot contemporary talent for our new Celebrity Weekends that will appeal to the ever-changing, younger audiences who are bringing their families to the live entertainment safe haven in Branson. As we announce our lineup for 2016, we're looking forward to meeting new friends this season as well as welcoming back our loyal patrons and friends."

Osmond is excited, too, that the name of the venue has been expanded and is now "The Andy Williams Performing Arts Center and Theater." The name change comes as Osmond commits to mentorship programs with area universities and to making the space as attractive as possible to top acts.

The lineup for the new season includes:

-Jennifer Nettles on April 8. CMT and Grammy-winning singer/songwriter Jennifer Nettles will be performing as part of the "CMT Presents Jennifer Nettles with 2016 Next Women of Country Tour." The sought-after ticket will include Brandy Clark, and special guests Lindsay Ell and Tara Thompson. The tour is an extension of CMT's Next Women of Country campaign, an effort that seeks to give more attention and airplay to female country artists.

-Travis Tritt on April 22. With two Grammy awards and four awards from the Country Music Association, he has been a member of the Grand Ole Opry since 1992.

-LeAnn Rimes on April 29. An American country and pop singer, she rose to fame at 13 years old and has since won two Grammys, three ACMs, a CMA, 12 Billboard Music Awards, and one American Music award.

-Ray Stevens on May 14. An American country and pop singer/songwriter and comedian, he has worked as a producer, music arranger, songwriter, television host, and solo artist. He has been inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, the Georgia Music Hall of Fame, and the Christian Music Hall of Fame.

-Don McLean and Judy Collins on September 24. Don McLean's beloved classic songs are as American as, well, "American Pie." Judy Collins is a folk singer, songwriter, and social activist who has been a part of pop culture since she released her debut album in 1968.

-K.T. Oslin on October 15. Her first RCA single, "Wall of Tears," made number 40 on the country charts. It was followed by "80's Ladies" which went to number 7 and won Oslin the Grammy Award for Best Female Country Vocal Performance and Grammy Award for Song of the Year, as well as the number 1 hits "Do Ya" and "I'll Always Come Back." In between these two singles, she was also a duet vocalist on Alabama's number 1 hit "Face to Face." "This Woman," her second RCA album, includes the number 1 hit "Hold Me" which also won Grammy Awards for Best Female Country Vocal Performance and Song of the Year. Oslin's third album, "Love in a Small Town," was released in late 1990.

-Loretta Lynn (with EmiSunshine as the opening act) on October 22. "The Coal Miner's Daughter" herself has won multiple gold albums as an American country music singer/songwriter. For 60 years, she has been receiving awards and recognition for her contribution to country music.

-Bill Engvall on Nov 5. The thing that makes any entertainer successful is the ability to connect with an audience. It's the quality of sharing the humor in everyday situations that has made Bill Engvall one of the top comedians today and among the best in the business. Come hear Bill's comedic routines like "Here's Your Sign" that helped make the Blue Collar Comedy Tour one of the most successful comedy tours of all time and turn Bill into not only a hit stand-up comedian but also a television star featured on "Dancing with the Stars" and "The Bill Engvall Show," among others.

-Rick Thomas from March through October. He's a premier illusionist who now calls Branson home and has completed five world tours covering over 50 countries. He's earned high honors including the coveted "Magician of the Year" by the Academy of Magical Arts and "Stage Magician of the Year" by the World Magic Awards.

-Moon River and Me from April through October. In this tribute to Andy Williams, Jimmy Osmond sings the songs that made his mentor and friend so beloved by millions. The youngest member of the Osmond family is joined by special guest "Britain's Got Talent" singing sensation Charlie Green, the hilarious comedy of Chipper Lowell who was voted two-time comedy magician of the year, and the Moon River Band. Jimmy will be performing some of his chart topping hits as well as songs that he and his brothers made famous.

-The Lettermen from May through December. The beautiful voices of the singing trio have been blending as one since 1961. Their beautiful harmony truly is timeless, and their many hits make this show a Branson favorite.

-"A Maxine Christmas" from November 1 through December 10. For nearly 30 years, tell-it-like-it-is Maxine has been one of Hallmark's most popular characters. Now she'll star in a live-action musical version of "A Christmas Carol" when she arrives in Branson.

-The Andy Williams Christmas Extravaganza from November 1 through December 6. Branson's most popular Christmas show is back in 2016! The Legacy continues...starring the Osmond Brothers and the Lennon Sisters, with award-winning illusionist Rick Thomas, plus all the variety that made Andy's show so spectacular. The Christmas Extravaganza also includes the Lennon granddaughters, the Andy Williams Ballroom Champions, the Moon River Band, and much more…all performing your favorite holiday songs.

"There will be more big-name celebrity weekends to be announced soon, so stay tuned," Jimmy Osmond concludes. "As always, it is truly an honor to continue to produce and present this wide variety of entertainment at my theater, and I'm so pleased to announce that we're expanding our offerings as we continue Andy Williams' legacy."

Buy tickets at the Andy Williams Performing Arts Center Box Office in Branson. Call 1-800-MOON-0694 or 417-334-4500, or visit andywilliamstheatre.com.

To schedule an interview with Jimmy Osmond, contact Icy Wyatt at 417-334-4626 or email icy@andywilliams.com.

About Andy Williams Performing Arts Center and Theater
Andy Williams personally designed and helped to create the Moon River Theater. He visited Branson and later planned to return to build a $12 million state of the art theater he eventually named the Andy Williams Moon River Theater. Moon River opened its doors on May 1, 1992. The name of the venue has recently been expanded to: Andy Williams Performing Arts Center and Theater.

Andy had become the first non-country performer to open a theater in Branson. And thanks to his ground breaking decision, other non-country performers and theme shows began to move into the tiny town that would soon be known as the live music capital of the world.