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 Branson,
Missouri is well-known as a
vacation destination for country music
fans. Behind the scenes, it has taken
business men and women with a vision to
turn this small sleepy town tucked away
in the Ozark Mountains into a bustling
music mecca. Randy Little, owner of PFI
Western Store and the Starlite Theatre,
was born and raised twenty miles south of
Branson and is proud to be a part of this
vibrant community.
In 1975, Randy, a graduate of the
University of Missouri, along with four
partners opened Preferred Farmers
Incorporated in Springfield, Missouri.
The business was originally a livestock
feed and farm supply store, but over the
years, with Randy now as the sole owner,
has metamorphosed into a Western Wear
company and one of the largest single
unit stores in the country!
Several years ago, he wanted to
diversify, so along with Bill Killian, he
purchased the Starlite Theatre in
Branson. It was a natural progression
from Western Wear to Country Music, Randy
notes, “Music dictates styles from
movies to Garth Brooks and we’ve
been in the western business so it goes
hand in hand.”
Randy always had an interest in music,
even played saxophone as a child. While
he may not be on stage, he is involved in
creating the excitement. In addition to
the shows presented at the theatre, every
year he hosts the “Party in the
Parking Lot” concert, which this
year helped raise money for Breast
Cancer.
Whether discussing the PFI Western Store,
the Starlite Theatre, Branson or sharing
his interest in vintage Cadillacs, Randy
Little is always fully engaged and
passionate. His enthusiasm when
describing singer/songwriter, Ben
Stillwater’s recent Cadillac
purchase as “simply beautiful,”
could also describe Branson through his
eyes, “simply beautiful.” |
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It was
originally the Presley’s Country
Jubilee and the Baldknobbers Jamboree
that paved the way for other theatres in
Branson - now the town has more theatre
seats than New York City. The Starlite
Theatre continues to raise the bar by
booking legends like Gene Watson, Billy
Dean, Larry Gatlin, Jimmy Fortune, Bill
Medley and The Blackwoods, as well as
Branson favorites, the Texas Tenors.
Also, as a sponsor of Larry’s
Country Diner, The Starlite Theatre opens
its doors to the show for two weeks of
on-location filming.
Branson is having another growth spurt
much like Nashville. Randy comments,
“It’s a wholesome place for
people to come and bring families to
enjoy lakes and theatres and get to see
the people they’ve wanted to be
associated with all their life.”
With the planned “Beautification of
76” project in the works to improve
aesthetics and mobility along five miles
of Highway 76 and the high quality of
entertainment available, Randy remarks,
“I see nothing but bright things for
Branson.”www.BootDaddy.com
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