Pam Tillis to play 90 shows in Branson

BRANSON, Mo. -- There's a Tillis back in Branson.

Country music singer Pam Tillis said Wednesday that she will play 90 shows at Yakov Smirnoff's theater next year. Tillis' father, Mel Tillis, recently sold his Branson theater.

"I call this my 'Honey, I sold the theater' tour," Pam Tillis said.

Smirnoff, a comedian, said he will continue to perform at his "What a Country" theater from April through mid-December. Tillis will alternate with Smirnoff, playing matinee and evening dates in June, July, August, November and December.

Tillis said she's sentimental about appearing in Smirnoff's 1,400-seat theater because it's the first venue her dad played when he came to Branson in 1990.

She admitted she didn't think much of the town on her first visit. She was on a rural road and had to brake to avoid hitting a turkey.

"I thought that Dad had lost his mind," Tillis said.

On Sept. 3, Pam Tillis will release a tribute to her father's songs, called "It's All Relative." It features duets with Mel Tillis, Dolly Parton, Emmylou Harris, Trisha Yearwood, the Jordanaires, Delbert McClinton and Marty Stuart.