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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