Carol Brandon - Book Reviews, Musicals, Theme Shows

Book Reviews

Musicals

&

Theme Shows

Carol Brandon

Carol Brandon is a Dallas area resident, a professional musician, motivational speaker, book reviewer, and a music director. Carol has the ability to make each person in her audience feel at ease with her enthusiasm and vivacious personality. Carol brings her zest, charm, and love of life to everyone around her. She is highly entertaining with a great sense of joy and vitality.

Carol has entertained at local clubs and restaurants including:

The Dallas Petroleum Club, The Lobby Bar of the Anatole Hotel, Maple Avenue Café, and Alessios. She has also entertained in New Orleans, Vail & Denver Colorado, and Mexico City, and also other resorts in Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas, & New Mexico.

Carol presents the following types of programs:

Motivational Programs

Musical & Theme Shows :

Doo Dah – The Life of Stephen Foster by Ken Emerson.

This is a musical program done in antebellum costume. Hear such early American favorites as Oh! Susanna, Jeannie With the Light Brown Hair, and Campton Races.

The Life and Music of Judy Garland by Ann Edwards –
In this popular program, Carol performs many of Judy’s most famous song such as Meet Me In St. Louis, Somewhere Over the Rainbow, Rock-a-bye Your Baby, and more.

The Waltz King by Hans Fantel

Come experience gay Vienna as Carol, in costume, tells about the life of Johann Strauss and performs some of his waltzes.

Angel On My Shoulder by Natalie Cole

Another musical review. Carol tells about the life of this Grammy award winner and daughter of Nat King Cole. Some of the songs revived are Unforgettable, Paper Moon, & Route 66.

Along Route 66 by Quinta Scott

This program documents the culture and history of America’s most famous road. In this musical review, Carol sings songs from the various states along the way. (Includes illustrations)

Cole Porter by David Edwards

Cole Porter’s life was almost as amazing as his music. Carol tells the story and sings some of his most famous songs such as Night and Day, Begin the Beguine, and I’ve Got You Under My Skin. Come hear the music that will bring back happy memories.

His Eye Is On the Sparrow - autobiography of legendary singer Ethel Waters.

This is a musical review as Carol sings such songs as Dinah, St. Louis Blues, and Stormy Weather.

I Fall To Pieces by Mark Bego

The life story of country legend Patsy Cline. Carol will sing some of Patsy’s big hits such as Crazy, I Fall To Pieces, and Walkin’ After Midnight

Carol also has these musical programs available:

The Good Time Gang, Musical Variety Group

The Good Time Dixieland Band

Star Lighter Swing Band

Celebration, Musical Variety Show

Two Gals and A Guy

Two Man Dixieland Band

Sweet ‘n Low, a Barbershop Ensemble

Ambience Ensemble – piano, violin, vibes & guitar

OTHER PROGRAMS AVAILABLE – MUSICALS & THEME SHOWS:

The Life and Music of Cole Porter

The Ragtime Era

Hooray For the Red, White & Blue (Patriotic)

The Music of World War II

Roaring Twenties

Country

Music of the 50’s

Music of the Last Century

Christmas Around the World

From Bach to Rock (30 Years In Show Business)

Christmas

Hawaiian

The Gay Nineties

Saint Patrick’s Day

Book Reviews:

They Also Served by Jeanie Sutton Lambright

True stories of ordinary people who contributed to the war effort in extraordinary ways. Done in vintage 40’s costume.

The Ladies of Missalonghi by Colleen McCullough (Author of The Thorn Birds). A very different love story told in costume from the early 1900’s.

Forever Erma – Compiled essays of Erma Bombeck

Carol shares some of the best-loved columns by Erma Bombeck. These irreverent stories will have everyone laughing.

Female Nomad by Rita Golden Gellman

Ms. Gellman travels, but not in the ordinary sense. She lives with indigenous peoples, sometimes staying in grass shacks, sometimes in hogans, and once in a temple in Bali. What an adventure!

Mary Kay by Mary Kay Ash

A legend in her own time, this is the inspirational story of an amazing woman.

Oprah Winfrey Speaks by Janet Loure

Reveals the mystique of Oprah in her own words. She deals with subjects such as personal responsibility, dealing with fame, her childhood, etc.

Life Was Meant To Be Lived – A centenary portrait of Eleanor Roosevelt.

A fascinating look at one of the most powerful women of the last century.

Sadi Shapiros’ Knitting Book by Robert Kimmel Smith

Sadie is a Jewish grandmother and a knitting expert. To know Sadie is to be amazed by her, to laugh with her and wish there really was a Sadie Shapiro. This is a light, fun review.

Simple Abundance by Sara Ban Breathnach

On the best seller list for many month, Ban Breathnach encourages us to have an attitude of gratitude. Many people claim this book has changed their lives. (Handouts, audience participation)

Finding Serenity In the Age of Anxiety by Robert Gerzon

This book gives practical advice on dealing with stress, something we are all faced with. (handout, illustrated, audience participation)

In The Red Hot Club Carol introduces us to five irrepressible women who don their red hats and purple outfits each month. This sassy, humorous novel is by Haywood Smith.

Out To Pasture But Not Over the Hill by 86-year-old prizewinning author Effie Leland Wilder

Romance is in the air at the Fair Acres retirement community and Hattie McNair’s writing career takes an exciting turn. Laughter prevails in this diary of life “on the inside”.

Life Strategies by Phil McGraw

“Dr. Phil” gives ten laws for winning at the game of life. He says “It’s never too late to develop a winning strategy.”

Legacy by Linda Spencer

Everyone has a story. Come learn how to write yours. Ms. Spencer gives step by step instructions on how to record your experiences. (Handouts, group participation)

The Christmas Box by Richard Evans

This delightful story is a classic – a good way to get in the Christmas spirit.

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson

Everything that could go wrong did for the annual Christmas pageant – until a miracle occurred.

The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan

For many month a best seller, this intriguing tale tells of four Japanese American friends, their daughters, and how their lives intertwined.

At Home In Mitford by Jan Karon

The first in the immensely popular series about small town life in America. Mitford, the little town with the big heart, teems with laughter, tears and fresh hope.

The Tracker by Tom Brown, Jr.

Trained by an ancient American Indian, Tom is a professional tracker. This is an adventure story of life in the wilderness, living as Indians did a hundred years ago.

Life Is So Good by George Dawson and Richard Glaubman

Mr. Dawson came to national prominence when he wrote this account of learning to read at age 98. The book is an adventure story of an amazing man who was very wise despite having not education.

A Year In Provence by Peter Mayle

Advertising executive Mayle and his wife retire to the south of Provence where they meet with many hilarious challenges. This book has been a best seller, and makes for an entertaining review. (with illustrations)

Emily Pollifax and the Hong Kong Budda by Dorothy Gillman

Senior citizen Emily Pollifax leads a perfectly ordinary life, except for the fact that she has a black belt in Karate and, on occasion, works for the CIA! Carol comes dressed as Mrs. Pollifax for this light, entertaining story.

How To Get A Good Night’s Sleep

In this talk, Carol compiles the latest findings of such medical experts as Andrew Weill and Deepak Chopra. They shed new light on this subject.

Secrets Under the Bridge by Overton Shelmire

The architect, Overton Shelmire, chronicles the hilarious exploits of himself and his brother, Bedford, growing up in Highland Park.

I’ll Gather My Geese by Hattie Stillwell

Ms. Stillwell tells the true story of her 50 exciting years as a rancher in South Texas near the border with Mexico.

To Book a program with Carol:

Phone: (972) 202-0535

Fax: (469) 366-8129

cbrand@airmail.net