Residents and visitors to Branson during the mid-90’s certainly knew of Michael Jenkins. His name was synonymous with creativity, and quality promotion of the Branson entertainment scene. Michael unexpectedly passed away on Veterans Day 2020 at the age of 73, and the Branson Regional Arts Council was both saddened and appreciative when Michael’s daughter requested that honorariums in his memory go to the Arts Council due to his longtime love and support of the arts in the Ozarks.
Michael Jenkins with Glen & Debby Campbell
“I was shocked to hear of Michael’s passing, and feel very fortunate to have appeared as a guest on his live “Radio Café Hour”, along with Glen Campbell and his daughter Debby. I was the comedian in Glen’s Goodtime Show, and recall how Michael and his crew were so friendly and easy to work with on the air. I was impressed with the format of combining a great lunch with up-close celebrity interviews in front of a live audience. It provided an opportunity for Branson show lovers to mingle up-close with some of the biggest stars in town, in a fun and relaxed atmosphere. Michael’s creativity and commitment to our community will not be forgotten.” – Jim Barber, BRAC Executive Director
BRAC would like to thank the family of Michael Jenkins, as well as Linda Burlingame and Carol & Doug Fuller for providing this obituary and related photos. We share your grief, and want you to know that Michael’s creativity will live on in our memories and through his remarkable legacy.
OBITUARY OF ROBERT MICHAEL JENKINS
Robert Michael Jenkins was born in Springfield, Missouri, October 11, 1947. He died from a heart attack November 11, 2020, in Branson, Missouri.
Michael Jenkins with Mel Tillis
Michael is survived by his sister Pam Hines of Albuquerque, New Mexico; three daughters; grandchildren, a nephew, and many nieces. Michael was preceded in death by his father, George Jenkins; his mother A. Ruth Abbott; his brother Timothy Jenkins.
Michael’s career spanned decades of service and creativity. Working at Silver Dollar City in its earliest years, as a performer and as Entertainment Director; traveling with the USO to Vietnam; serving as Director of the Public Service Commission in Jefferson City with Democratic Governor Joe Teasdale and Republican Governor Kit Bond; owning an advertising agency in Springfield, Missouri. Since the mid 1980’s Michael worked with Ingram Enterprises, serving as General Manager at Sunset Cove in Branson and working with Ingram’s other interests that include Fireworks Over America, one of the largest importers and distributors of consumer fireworks in the United States.
Michael Jenkins as Mark Twain
During those years Michael continued creating and sharing his love of entertainment. His Radio Café Hour, a live radio show with a café audience, hosted legendary entertainers like Johnny Cash, Mel Tillis, Tony Orlando, Charley Pride, Glen Campbell, and many more. Michael was a consummate Mark Twain entertainer and scholar. He was invited to the Mark Twain House in Hartford, Connecticut, as a guest writer. His extensive knowledge and understanding of Twain led to his on-stage creation, Mississippi Love, which starred Debby Boone.
Articulate and quick-witted, Michael was a grand storyteller. He often seemed larger than life. Those close to him will tell you Michael could be as frustrating as he was funny, as caring as he was creative. Michael took care of his mother the last several years of her life. Those who knew her understand where Michael got his quick wit.
Michael Jenkins with Johnny Cash
His focus on the job at hand was unwavering. Michael is going to be missed. He will be remembered with love, with admiration, with smiles … and with the occasional roll of the eyes.
All family and friends are invited to a graveside service at Ozarks Memorial Park Cemetery in Branson, MO, December 5, 2020, at 3 p.m. The gravesite is on the East side of the cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Branson Regional Arts Council. BransonArts.org/donate
Arrangements and cremation are under the direction of Cremations of the Ozarks. To leave an online condolence, please visit CremationsOfTheOzarks.com.
The Branson Regional Arts Council was founded in 1965 as the “Taney Arts Council,” and officially established 501 (c)(3) non-profit status as “Branson Arts Council, Inc.” in 1993.
Our mission is “to create exceptional artistic, cultural and educational opportunities for our community.”
Financial support is provided by BRAC members, theatre patrons, private donors, as well as additional grant support from the Missouri Arts Council and other organizations.
BRAC, PO Box 2004, Branson, MO 65615
[fac_icon icon=”calendar” font_size=”24″] November 2020 – Landscape Painting with Jessica Lowe
“I’m inviting all of my friends in the Ozarks and across the country to join us online in celebrating some truly outstanding young performers! Each November, the Branson Regional Arts Council hosts this exciting talent show for a full-house audience. This year would have been our 3rd annual event, however, the pandemic is our inspiration to bring the show directly into your home, via the internet!”
This is a recorded
As singing actors we are partners with the text and our voice is a means of communicating the story to our audience. In our Musical Theatre Voice section of Triple Threat we will focus on how to be compelling storytellers through music. Come ready with “your book” and several contrasting 32 bar cuts that we can “put on their feet”! We will also touch on how to choose appropriate material for YOUR voice, how to prepare your audition and present yourself “in the room” and in when creating a character on stage for an actual show. Together we will sharpen skills, dive deeper into Musical Theatre voice, make strong acting choices that create compelling performances, and most of all have fun while building confidence! 
This class is designed for students with a passion for musical theatre. Get ready to step outside of your comfort zone, while learning various fun pieces of choreography! We will study/move to a vast variety of musical theatre rep and even learn some original Broadway steps! The choreography taught is meant to challenge you and there will be different options of difficulty to choose from when doing the routine! Dance class is how you study, which means auditions are the test. We will be learning by setting up virtual mock auditions where you will receive feedback and instruction. You will leave feeling confident, and ready to book that next audition! 
