Oh what a night… with Joan Rivers!  Yes, you read right, my 2 sons, my favorite Aunt, & 2 dear friends & I saw the REAL Joan Rivers last night (February 5th) in Springfield, MO.  She did her stand-up comedy show at the Juanita K. Hammons Hall at MSU to a very responsive crowd.  She looked gorgeous, her timing was perfect, her material was new/current/hysterical, & a great time was had by all.  Joan is going to be 77 on June 8th, but you would never guess it.  She’s a whirlwind!  Thursday she was in Wichita, last night Springfield, & tonight she’s in Tulsa.  I had sent her a note about 3 weeks ago to tell I was looking forward to seeing her show.  I had a photo of she & I that was taken one year ago when I met her at the Mall of America that I wanted her to sign.  I call the Juanita K. Hammons Hall to see if Joan was going to have a ‘meet & greet’ either before or after her performance.  They said no, but they would be glad to take my photo back stage to her when I arrived.  A very nice offer which some/most places don’t even think of offering.  When we got there I found my contact person who had made this kind gesture.  She said, “I have great news for you, you & your party are on their list to see Joan after the show!”  Of course I was thrilled & told her thank you for helping me & she said, “No, Joan’s people came to me & said to make sure that Terry Wayne Sanders & his guests are invited.”  So, long story short, we loved every minute of the show, we did in fact go back with a small group of people, & Joan was her usual, gracious self.  She remembered me, thanked me for my “Lovely note”, her people said they enjoyed me in the new documentary about Joan called, ‘Joan Rivers – A Piece Of Work’, & Joan gladly signed the photo of she & I together!

Joan signed, "Dear Terry - Great to see you again - Joan Rivers"

The J.K.H. Hall had a photographer there & they took a photo I will post as soon as I get it.  a BIG “Thank you!” to everyone involved & especially Joan for being the truly amazing & inspiring person that she is.  Her people are wonderful as well.  Oh what a night!

Howdy friends, It’s me, Terry, ‘Homer Lee’ Sanders here in the entertainment hub of America, the one & only Branson, MO!  It’s cold, but that’s about it.  I will see the REAL Joan Rivers this Friday in Springfield, MO where she is performing her comedy.  A lot of changes in town for the 2010 season, you know, “Musical chairs” with the shows & performers.  I have always tried to be consistent, that’s why I am in my 31st season with Silver Dollar City.

SDC 50th Anniversary logo

They will be celebrating their 50th Anniversary all season!  All year long they have some amazing surprises, shows, & their newest ride, Tom & Huck’s River Blast!  I will be playing about 6 characters a day out there all over the 56 acre park. My family always vacationed in Branson & that’s why I am here today, I fell in love with Branson & Silver Dollar City at the ripe old age of  6!  The only year we did not go to Silver Dollar City was 1969. The Beverly Hillbillies were filming 5 episodes there & I wanted to go & meet them since it was & still is, one of my favorite TV shows.  My dad said, “No, we can’t go down there.  Why there’s probably 3,000 people there!  Here’s a photo of them arriving at the ‘Hotel’.

Jed, Granny & Elly May arrive at the 'Hotel'

This will be my 13th year on The Vacation Channel with my own hour-long TV show called ‘Branson Country’ as Terry the Tour guide.  We’ll be filming this spring around April.

Terry the Tour Guide

I’ll be back in the Shepherd of the Hills play 7 nights a week.  This will make my 4th season there & the best part is that my wife & our 2 sons work there too so I get to see my family… finally!

The Sundance Film Festival was a big success as it always is.  They featured independent films & one this year is called, ‘Joan Rivers – A Piece of Work’. I met the REAL Joan one year ago & the film crew making this documentary was with her.  They met me & found out that I was an entertainer from Branson, MO who has corresponded with Joan for over 30 years.  Plus, I have impersonated her for 21 years!  The producer e-mailed me about 4 weeks ago to say that I was in the finished film!  I will see Joan again February 5th in Springfield, MO.

Joan Rivers & Terry Feb 2009

I will be up-dating my ‘Personal Appearances’ page very soon.  I am excited about them all, but one in particular is coming up on Monday, March 29th, 2010 at 2 PM.  The show will be at the historic Orpheum Theatre in Sioux City, IA.

Spoken 4 with Homer Lee

I will be performing with a group called Spoken 4!  Cecil Stringer, who was the bass singer for the Braschler Music Show for many years, is in this wonderful group.  He & I did a lot of comedy skits together so this will be quite the reunion.  I love the audiences in IA & hope that you can make it to this incredible show!

Happy New Year to you & yours & sincerely, thanks for dropping in on me here at Homerlee.com.  Stay tuned!

Always, Terry ‘Homer Lee’ Sanders

That’s right!  Today is my lovely bride’s 50th birthday!  Dede & I have been married for 21 years (22 come April 16th!).  Plus, we dated for 4 years so, half of her life she has been stuck with me!  That’s not an easy thing to do!   Our lives are crazy, hectic, scary, funny, insane, & non-stop, but we endure!  I love you Dede Sanders!  Happy 50th birthday!  xoxo Terry ‘Homer Lee’ Sanders & your two loving sons, Austin Cole & Evan James

Terry, Austin, Dede & Evan

Howdy friends!  Thanks for checking on me, ‘Homer Lee’.  Things in Branson are kind of quiet, but not for long.  The season starts earlier & earlier every year!  I’m excited about the 2010 season too!  I’ll be back for my 31st season at Silver Dollar City!  They’ll be celebrating their 50th anniversary with a lot of grand things planned for that!

Homer Lee

This is my 13th year on The Vacation Channel with my own hour-long TV show called, ‘Branson Country’ as Terry the Tour Guide. What a fun show to do.  I explore all of the great/fun things to do in Branson country & share them with you.

Terry the Tour Guide

This is my 4th year to be in The Shepherd of the Hills play.  I play 2 characters in this show & love working there, especially since my wife & our 2 sons work there as well.

Don’t forget, I make a ton of personal appearances all over the area & out of state too so check out the ‘Personal Appearances’ page (Soon to be up-dated for 2010).

I’m thrilled that the Sundance Film Festival is going to start in just a few days.  There is a film premiering there called, ‘Joan Rivers – A Piece of Work’.  A film crew followed Ms. Rivers for over a year taping her every move in public, in private, & in personal times. This is exciting because I have corresponded with Joan for the last 30 years plus, last Feb I flew to MN to spend the day with her! The film crew was following her & they found out that I had traveled so far so they asked if they could interview me.  Well, you know I’m very camera shy (NOT!).   So, long story short, a few weeks ago the producer of this documentary e-mailed me to tell me that the project was done & was gong to premiere at the Sundance Film Festival!  Plus, they were using some of the footage of me!  Keep your eyes open for this film.

Joan Rivers

I was to fly to CA for an appearance in Los Angles, but the show I was to be in changed the direction/tone of the event so…  Such is the nature of this business.  I go on.  It was disappointing because I had hoped to make a pit-stop in UT for see the Joan Rivers documentary.

I hope you & yours are doing well in this winter wonderland & with the economy.  Please help our neighbors in Haiti with any donations that you can.  God bless you & stay in touch!  Remember, I am available for your company gatherings or your Uncle Burt’s birthday party!  Always, Terry ‘Homer Lee’ Sanders

PS – A special “Howdy” to my cousin Arnetta in Las Cruces, N.M.!  Clem & Charlie sure are missing you!

Well, here we are, a brand new year & it seems everyone is ready for it!  I can’t find anyone who liked 2009 very much at all!  Ours is a society of instant gratification, we want it (Whatever “it” is) NOW! Basically, we’re spoiled!  Change sometimes is slow & that’s for a reason too.  I see things turning around slowly & things will get better.  We all must learn patience & must change our lifestyles & patterns also. Hang in there!  There’s so much good to come.  Our kids learn from us so, if we set a good example, they will learn this & be ready for the depression/recession that will happen to them in 30 years & hopefully they will be better prepared than we were!

Speaking of change, I have been telling you that I have BIG news & here it is…

“Joan Rivers – A Piece Of Work!”

Joan Rivers

This is a documentary about Joan Rivers & it was filmed over the course of a year.  A film crew followed Ms. Rivers filming every aspect of her life.

One year ago, I flew to Minneapolis, MN to spend the day with the REAL Joan Rivers thanks to QVC & my sister Jennifer.  I had the time of my life – especially since I have corresponded with her for 30 years & impersonated her for 21 years.  She has been a family friend in good times & bad.  Her phone call to my mom when my mom was dying of cancer.  Her support of my brother & kindness in his death as well.

Joan Rivers & Terry Feb 2009

The film crew found out that I was an entertainer who had traveled all the way from Branson, MO to be with Joan.  They asked to film me & as you know, I’m rather camera shy… NOT!   So they filmed me 3 different times.  One – who are you & where are you from, why are you here, etc… Two – my one-on-one with Joan herself, which was awe inspiring, exciting, emotional, etc… And three – after my get together with her – how was it, why were you crying, etc…  It was all so incredible!

She was wonderful, truly kind, & gracious to a fault!  She signed her 2 new books for me & then I had brought along with me 2 photos of me dressed like her – which she loved – & signed those as well.  They filmed all of this which was exciting in itself.

Here is one that says, “Dear Terry, I wish I had your legs! love Joan Rivers”

Terry as Joan

This one says, “Terry or Joan? We’ll never know for sure.  XOXO Joan Rivers”

Last month (Dec.) I received an e-mail from the producers of ‘Joan Rivers – A Piece Of Work’ saying that the film was completed & it was accepted to be premiered at the Robert Redford Sundance Film Festival.  It will be held the last week of Jan. 2010.  Plus, he said that I am in the film!  The press release of the film is as follows;

Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work (Directors: Ricki Stern and Annie Sundberg) — A rare, brutally honest glimpse into the comedic process and private dramas of legendary comedian and pop icon Joan Rivers as she fights tooth and nail to keep her American dream alive. World Premiere.

As you know Branson slows down during the next 2-3 months (Jan. – March) & then boom a whole new season filled with “musical chairs/theatres”.  I am off from Silver Dollar City until the 2nd week of March when they open-up with their 50th anniversary celebration!  It will be my 31st year with them!  I have been so blessed to do what I do for a living, not only working at Silver Dollar City for 31 years, but The Vacation Channel for 13 years, & this will be my 4th season in the Shepherd of the Hills play.  I do special appearances too & if all goes well, I will be playing Joan Rivers on the red carpet/hosting an award show for an international corporate meeting in Los Angeles,CA the last week of Jan..  So, on my way back I hope to make a pit-stop in Provo, UT. for the world premiere of ‘Joan Rivers – A Piece Of Work!’

From my heart, I can’t tell you all how much I appreciate you all for your love & support.  Hang in there, it’s going to be okay.  Remember, it’s not the destination, but the journey itself.  My family & I wish you only the best, God’s blessings, & Happy New Year!

Homer Lee

Always, your friend, Terry ‘Homer Lee’ Sanders

What?  2010 is on the way?

Homer Lee

It’s hard to believe that is true, but it is only 2 more days!  I am looking forward to 2010 here in Branson.  This will be my 31st season at Silver Dollar City & I will be playing a plethora (Isn’t that a big word?  I don’t know what it means, but it’s big) of characters over the 56 acre 1800s theme park.  They have a new water based ride called, ‘Tom & Huck’s River Blast’!

Silver Dollar City is saying it is… America’s Biggest Water Battle! Tom and Huck have hatched a plan to take unsuspecting passengers on a REAL river adventure. Get ready to take aim at the water-armed adversaries that surround your river raft. It’s waterlogged chaos!

It will be located where the carousel, balloon ride, & Tom Sawyer’s Landing were & it will be ready in time for  Silver Dollar City’s grand celebration for their 50th anniversary!  If you like to get wet & have fun, this will be for you!

2010 will be my 4th year at ‘The Shepherd of the Hills’ play. Last year I was ‘Doc’ (The old man who’s catch-phrase is, “What would Sarah & the girls say?”) 4 nights a week & ‘Ollie’ (The young man in the old car) 3 nights a week.  My wife, Dede & our 2 sons will be back there too.

Fight scene from 'Shepherd of the Hills' play

This will be my 13th year on The Vacation Channel with my own hour-long TV show.  It’s called. ‘Branson Country’ & I play Terry the Tour Guide.  I have such a great time filming that show too!

Terry the Tour Guide

Things are slowly turning around & I truly believe 2010 will be a much better year for everyone.  I have many personal appearances coming up & that page will be up-dated on those dates as soon as the contracts are signed & sealed!  Don’t forget…  I have BIG news coming to this site on New Year’s Day!  That’s right, January 1st come back here & find out!

If you are wanting to see me this last day at Silver Dollar City, well, if you ride the steam train & watch ‘Grandpa’ telling the story out in the woods, & you like the lighted scene behind him…  That’s me doing the lights from an old cabin!

Thanks for visiting with me here at Homerlee.com, it means the world to me!  Take care & have a safe & special Happy New Year!  Always, Terry ‘Homer Lee’ Sanders

Homer Lee

Dede, Evan, Terry, & Austin Sanders

Happy day after Christmas!  I hope that you & yours had a great time, we sure did.  It was a very simple Christmas celebration this year.  Our tree had only 5 gifts under it, one for each of us & then one to the whole family.  We normally send out 1,100 Christmas cards, but due to the economy we sent none except for an e-letter to all of those that we have e-mail addresses of.  When things turn around in 2010 we will try to send out 2 photo cards next Christmas!  LOL!

I have 5 days left at Silver Dollar City.  Normally you can find me rather easily due to my ‘inventive’ characters over the 56 acre park, but for the remaining 5 days, December 26th-30th, I will be doing the lights for the show that they do on the train ride.  I will be in a heated cabin by the tracks!  Praise the Lord! Send me an e-mail here at Mrheha@aol.com or Facebook me at Terry Wayne Sanders & join the over 1,060 happy people who follow me!  I’d love to hear from you this winter.

'Miss Ada Mae Wheeler'

Remember, I have BIG news coming up for 2010!  Stay tuned here at Homerlee.com for this BIG news.  I am so excited & it will be announced on January 1st, 2010 right HERE!

God bless you all & my/our sincere thanks for all the love & support you & yours have shown me/us over my 30 years of entertaining not only here in Branson over that time period, but for all of the countless road shows with the Wilkinson Brothers Music Show, The Braschler Music  Show, & my 1, 2, &  3-man shows over the United States.  I look very forward to continuing this love of laughter & entertainment for many years to come!  I do have personal appearances coming up so check those out on the ‘Personal Appearances’ page on this site.  The up-date will be posted on January 1st, 2010!

Have a Happy & safe New Year!  We all want to  have fun & enjoy the moment, but use your head too. Don’t drink & drive.  It’s not worth taking your life or the lives of innocent people.  God bless you all!  Happy Holidays, Happy New Year & may I be the first one to say, “Merry Christmas” to you for 2010!!!

Always, Terry ‘Homer Lee’ Sanders

Only 2 more days until Christmas!  From our home to yours, we want to wish you only the best for 2010 & Merry Christmas!

Dede, Evan, Terry, & Austin Sanders

It has been a busy & very trying year for everyone including us, but we have faith & know everything will work out – it always does.

Don’t forget, you have one more chance to see me as ‘Barney Fife’ at Big Cedar on Christmas Eve!  It’s a show & tree lighting event from 4:30-5:15 on the main grounds at Big Cedar.  It’s open to the public as well as the guests.  If the weather is rainy they will move it inside the convention hall there.

Terry Wayne Sanders as 'Barney Fife'

All 4 of us look forward to being back in ‘The Shepherd of the Hills’ play in 2010.  The play will open-up  in May of 2010.  In 2009, Dede played ‘Mrs. Wheeler’, Evan was ‘Little Pete’, Austin did the lights & sound, & I played ‘Doc’ & ‘Ollie Stewart’.

Silver Dollar City is closed December 21st-25th for Christmas, but they’ll open up again December 26th-30th.  I have been playing a new character called ‘ Mr. Clarence Peabody’ who’s Santa’s assistant.  Working with Santa was a dream come true.  He won’t be there the final 5 days.  We closed-up shop & he’s preparing for his big night, December 24th!

'Clarence' helps Santa with his coat.

Santa waves good-bye for now as 'Clarence' stands by his side.

'Clarence' & Santa walk into the moonlight discussing their wonderful 2 months meeting thousands of kids & adults as well.

Can you believe it?  Only 6 more days until Christmas!

Terry, Austin, Dede, & Evan Sanders

From my family to you & yours, we want to wish you only the best this holiday season & a very prosperous New Year!  Merry Christmas!

This is your last chance to see Santa & I as ‘Mr. Clarence Peabody’ at the Carousel Barn, AKA Kringle’s Krossing.  That’s right, today & Sunday will be our final days there.  

Silver Dollar City will be closed December 21st-25th & RE-OPEN December 26th-30th!  I will be there those last 5 days doing the lights for the Christmas show on the train ride.

What an honor & thrill to work with Santa, he’s a joyous & very kind man with a true love for those who still believe in the real meaning of Christmas.

I’m looking forward to some down time with my family this winter.

You know me, I will have some road shows coming up & some exciting things too!

Those will be posted after Christmas & I can’t wait to share them with you.  God is good & we are very thankful for all that He has done for us.

I have 2 more appearances at Big Cedar as ‘Barney Fife’, that will be tonight at 4:30 & our last show will be Christmas Eve again, at 4:30!  It’s open to the public & I hope to see you there.

Terry Wayne Sanders as 'Barney Fife'

Again, Merry Christmas to you all & thanks for your love & support.  Always, your buddy, Terry ‘Homer Lee’ Sanders

Hey everyone, it’s me, Terry ‘Homer Lee’ Sanders.

Terry, Austin, Dede, & Evan Sanders

From my home to yours, my family & I want to wish you a very Merry Christmas!  There’s only 8 more days until Christmas & we are nowhere near ready for it.

There are only 9 more days of the Silver Dollar City’s Christmas Festival!  This week Thursday-Sunday & then they will take December 21st-25th OFF & then their FINAL week for 2009 is December 26th-30th!  This will be my final week as ‘Clarence Peabody’ Assistant to Santa Claus. He & I can be found in the Carousel Barn AKA Kringle’s Krossing from 2:30-9 (Thursday, Friday, & Sunday) 2:30-9:30 on Saturday.  Santa will NOT be there after the 20th so…  Come on down!

'Clarence Peabody'

AJ’s, my favorite place to fill-up has regular at $2.46.9!  that’s a great deal & on my way to Silver Dollar City I will be there so I hope to see you there too!  If you are a ‘local’ they give you a 5 cent discount per gallon & if you are smart, you’ll have their AJ’s 1-Stop card & that gives you a 10 cent discount!

You have only 2 more chances to see me as ‘Barney Fife’ at Big Cedar!  This coming Saturday I will be in a show/tree lighting ceremony from 4:30-5:15 at Big Cedar with ‘Missy Toe’ & Ho-Ho himself!  The last performance will be on Christmas Eve again from 4:30-5:15.  It’s open to the public, there’s lots of GREAT things for the kids to do before the show.  Plus, how can you go wrong at such a spectacular place as Big Cedar?!?  They do things right!

Stay tuned, I have BIG news regarding the Sundance Film Festival coming-up the last week of January, 2010! (Hint, me with the REAL Joan Rivers)  Stay tuned!

Thanks for everything this year.  We really do wish you & yours only the best this holiday season & Merry Christmas again!

PS- Become a friend of mine on Facebook too!  Just go to Terry Wayne Sanders!