Spotlight On……Briahna Brett-Perkins

Posted by By Debra Pamplin at 29 April, at 15 : 43 PM Print

Briahna Brett-Perkins is one of the awesomely-talented members of the Brett Family. The Brett Family perform morning shows at the Dick Clark Theatre, providing tight family harmonies and high energy, feel-good songs. I was able to catch up with Briahna awhile back, and the following is a portion of our interview.

How old you were you first started singing in front of audiences?

I remember singing from a very young age. The first homespun recording we have of me singing with my Dad was when I was only five. My first performance in front of a crowd came at age 7.

What brought you to Branson? How long have you been here?

The story behind how  my family and I  came to Branson some 11 years ago is quite lengthy, but unique. We come  from the Dallas, Texas area, where my Dad had a successful chiropractic clinic for 14 years. For our own enjoyment, we sang on the side at local churches, weddings, parties, community events, etc. In March of 1996 my Dad suffered a very severe neck injury that immediately pulled him out of his chiropractic practice, switching his role from being the doctor to being the patient. The next summer we came to Branson for a family reunion and, due to his injury, my Dad was unable to join the rest of the family for boating and games on the lake. Instead, he did the typical Branson tourist thing and went to a show. He instantly fell in love with Branson and all it represents. On our way back home from the reunion, he was so excited to tell us that he saw us returning to Branson someday to open our own show. We literally laughed at the idea. After a long road of treatment and recovery for my Dad, we sought the Lord’s direction for what step to take next as a family. Toward the end of 1998 the opportunity arose for us to audition for Silver Dollar City, so we took a weekend trip to Branson and tried out. To our surprise we were offered a year-long contract on the Showboat Branson Belle, which, after much prayer and discussion, we accepted. We enjoyed a wonderful year of performing and learning on the Boat before returning to Texas. Not long after getting home, we received a call offering us a morning show slot on the famous Branson strip. Again, after much prayer and discussion, we decided to take the plunge and open our own show. To spare the rest of the lengthy details, let’s just say that the rest is history.

What was a job you had before becoming a performer in Branson?

I was 18-years-old when we came to Branson, so I was simply a full-time student attending college as a Music Dance Theatre major.

What show are you currently in, and how many seasons have you been there?

I am a part of The Brett Family Show, now playing at Dick Clark’s American Bandstand Theatre at 10:00 a.m. We are in our 12th season in Branson.

A lot of performers switch theatres often. What show(s), if any, did you perform in before becoming employed at your current location?

Our first year in town (1999) we were hired on the Showboat Branson Belle as part of their breakfast and lunch cruise entertainment. Since then I have been blessed to be employed by and share the stage with my family, The Brett Family, for 12 straight seasons.

What do you enjoy most in regards to your current theatre?

Our current theatre, Dick Clark’s American Bandstand Theatre, is one of Branson’s newest and finest venues. With state-of-the-art sound and lighting equipment, roomy aisles and seating, a spacious lobby, great office space, large dressing rooms and backstage area, the Dick Clark American Bandstand Grill attached, and a beautiful gift shop, it’s a one-stop-spot for comfortable and enjoyable entertainment. For our show specifically, the stage is a perfect fit for our Family and provides us room for production growth and show development.

Tell me about a typical day for you. Do you have an additional show or job you work at?

A typical day in the life of Briahna Brett Perkins goes something like this: I arrive at the theatre office at 8:00 a.m. and put in an hour or so of business time, working mostly in group sales, among many other things. I then gather with my Family for a brief meeting at 9:15 a.m. to discuss the day’s show and our goals for that particular performance. It’s then time to prep all of my costumes, hair, makeup, body and voice for a 10:00 a.m. show. From 10 to shortly after Noon, I have the privilege of sharing the stage with my very awesome, talented Family – consisting of Dad (Tom), Mom (Andrea) and brothers Brydon and Garon. This is the most fun part of my day! Following the show, we spend time visiting with our audiences, then break for an hour lunch. The rest of the day until 6:00 p.m. or so is spent working in the theatre office and/or in rehearsal with the Family.

List some hobbies you participate in during free time.

Free time is something I don’t find much of, but when I do I like to spend time with my sweet husband, Merrill, and our families. I like to bake, clean, play word games or do Soduko puzzles.  I watch movies occasionally, (I’m a sucker for good romantic comedies), shop (shoes are a weakness of mine), and play with our cute dog, Schubert. I also enjoy serving in the youth program of our church, as well as working with my Mom  leading and accompanying the church choir.

What can fans expect from your show this season?

Our show this year is like putting your iPod on shuffle! You’re going to get a great mix of all of your favorite music done in fresh new ways, with original music thrown in as well. The Family has a tight blend of voices that together produce world-class harmonies, and individually hit on all cylinders of musicality and ability. The show as a whole will take you on a musical and emotional ride, and will no doubt leave you wanting more. Simply put, it’s fun, it’s fresh, it’s family and it’s phenomenal! You’ve really got to experience “Cutting-Edge Family Entertainment” for yourself.

What sets your show apart from the crowd?

Something that sets The Brett Family Show apart from the other great shows in Branson is the attention to details. From song selection, production value, musical arrangements, and costume design, to show flow, choreography, scripting and customer care, we strive as a Family and organization to offer the very best in entertainment so that our audiences’ experience is transformational. We want people to leave feeling better, and wanting to go BE better.

What is a unique quality you feel Branson has?

Branson is one of the last frontiers for the values I and my Family hold dear to our hearts – God, Family and Country. There’s isn’t another place I know of in the world that would afford us the chance to use our talents to further the cause of family unity, centered in faith-based beliefs and supporting a country that provides religious and personal freedom.

Since this interview was completed, Mrs. Briahna Brett-Perkins has become the mother of a healthy, baby boy. I would like to thank Briahna for allowing me to complete this interview. She truly is a wonderful singer, and if you haven’t seen the Brett Family, well, what are you waiting for?? Get your tickets here.

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