POPULAR OPRYLAND THEMEPARK SHOW BROUGHT BACK BY DEMAND ON THE GENERAL JACKSON SHOWBOAT

Country Music USA and Tim Watson’s Fiddlin’ Around Begin Mid-March

Nashville, Tenn.—( March 12, 2009 ) Country music is America’s music, and nowhere is this genre more prevalent than in its home, Nashville, Tennessee. The General Jackson Showboat, one of Gaylord Opryland Hotel’s popular entertainment attractions, is paying tribute to country music through two brand-new shows, one straight from the former Opryland Themepark, starting mid-March.

Country Music USA is a nostalgic journey through the very music that gave a voice to America. Inspired by the popular show at the former Opryland Themepark, this new three-hour evening cruise features some of Music City’s most energetic and talented performers showcasing songs made popular by country legends. The show begins with the music of Grand Ole Opry icons Hank Williams, Sr. and Patsy Cline, reviews songs from the 1980s and 1990s by Garth Brooks, Reba McEntire and Dolly Parton and ends with the blockbuster hits of today by Carrie Underwood and Rascal Flatts. Among the performers in this cast is Paul Vann, who performed in the original production at the theme park.

Country Music USA also features a brand-new menu from Executive Chef Chris Browne. The plated dinner includes a delicious prime rib of beef served with natural pan juices, mixed seasonal vegetables, chef’s choice of potatoes, freshly baked bread with sweet butter, as well as a mixed green salad with roasted sweet peppers, spiced pecans, grape tomatoes and crumbled bleu cheese. The meal is completed by a to-die-for chocolate truffle cake. Country Music USA begins March 12 and runs through November 15, 2009.

Not to be outdone, the General Jackson’s midday cruise also includes country music in the new Tim Watson’s Fiddlin’ Around. This high-energy country music and comedy show features Tim, famous for his fantastic fiddle playing, down-home humor and winning personality. Audiences of all ages will love this show and the Southern lunch served family-style in bottomless bowls. Included on the menu is a mixed green salad, creamy country potato salad, cranberry chicken and slow-roasted country pit ham, green bean casserole, corn bread muffins and buttermilk biscuits and a chocolate truffle cake. Tim Watson’s Fiddlin’ Around runs March 13 through November 15, 2009.

“We learned from our leisure customers that they wanted even more live country music experiences when they visit Nashville,” said Pete Weien, senior vice president and general manager of Gaylord Opryland Hotel & Convention Center. “We always work to give our guests what they want, and we are thrilled to be able to offer them these new live country music shows this year when they visit Gaylord Opryland. On the General Jackson Showboat, we are bringing back the popular midday comedy lunch cruise with Tim Watson’s ‘Fiddlin’ Around,’ and for the first time, we will offer ‘Country Music USA’ as the show on the dinner cruise. This is going to be especially exciting to our long-time guests who were familiar with this beloved show in the former Opryland Theme Park. It will also be a fun show for all other country music fans as it takes the audience on a nostalgic journey through the beginnings of country music to the chart-topping songs of today. We know our guests will enjoy these new country music shows, and we look forward to welcoming them aboard.” 

“This is the first time the General Jackson has offered country music shows on both the midday and evening cruises,” said Dennis Schnurbusch, general manager of the General Jackson Showboat. “We have found that our guests really enjoy new country music productions, and these shows are an answer to that.”

Midday cruise prices begin at $33.95 per person plus tax. Boarding for the midday cruise begins at 11:30 a.m., with guests returning at 2 p.m. Evening cruise prices begin at $52.95 per person plus tax. Boarding for evening cruises, Monday through Saturday, begins at 6:15 p.m., with guests returning at 10 p.m. Sunday evening cruise times are one hour earlier. Additional afternoon cruises are also available on select dates.

For tickets or for more information, please call 615-458-3900 or visit www.generaljackson.com. To download a photo of the General Jackson, please click here:  http://www.gaylordoprylandsales.com/press/photos/general-jackson-mist.jpg.

ABOUT THE GENERAL JACKSON SHOWBOAT
The General Jackson Showboat is the largest of its kind in the world. Available for midday and evening cruises year-round, the General Jackson Showboat offers exceptional dining and entertainment including country music, parties and special-event cruises. The General Jackson is owned by Gaylord Entertainment (NYSE: GET), a leading hospitality and entertainment company based in Nashville, Tenn. For more information, visit www.generaljackson.com .

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