100 million dollars of coonskin caps were bought, because Davy Crockett was our hero. We had pink bathrooms, pink clothes and of course, pink Cadillacs. We saw how many people we could get stuffed into telephone booths and Volkswagens. We ducked and tucked under our school desks during the 'cold" war bomb scare. Our women wore poodle cut hair, after seeing Lucy's coif, and the guys smeared a little dab on their ducktails. We used chlorophyll on our teeth, wore 3-D glasses in the movies, went to sock-hops, ate finger licking good chicken, parked under the golden arches and we gyrated and swayed with millions of hula hoops.

The fifties were here and all the gloom and doom of WWII was behind us and we were finishing up Korea. Sears was selling houses through their catalogue for around five to six thousand dollars and new communities were springing up like mushrooms. We were optimistic and the economy reflected it. The GIs were back, the baby boom was on and the age of innocence was at its peak.

"50's At The Hop" is a synopsis of the mid to late fifties in a colorful, two hour, dancing, singing and romping show. Folks, this is their tenth year in Branson and I think they have gotten the hang of it. The Dreamdates and the Hoppettes, along with the musically dynamic Rocking Hop Band, will deliver you from a world of bills, taxes, bad news, troubles and cares. They will take you back to a black and white world that was simpler, quieter and full of hot cars, soda shops, rolled up jeans and poodle skirts, an era that we would all like to spend a little more time enjoying.

Paul Harvey was once asked if he remembered what he wore to his senior prom. He replied that he did remember, pimples. Remember your senior prom? I didn't know if I would even have a suit to wear. My mother re-hemmed my pant legs and coat sleeves, to add length, so I could go. Compare that era to today's senior function, with limos, tuxedos, rented motels and all night parties. I had to be home after my prom. I was expected to be up early to milk the cows.

Those were the days my friend and we thought they would never end, but they did. Now you can re-live a two hour passage of time and go back to the future. Incidentally, back to the future one and two, both went back to November 12, 1955. Little wonder, because that is where the majority of us would really like to go, at least for a short visit. I personally enjoy today's modern conveniences and would feel lost without my cell phone, laptop computer, microwave and dishwasher.

The early 50's music was a mixture of bubble gum lyrics and feeling good music. Perry Como, Frank Sinatra, Peggy Lee, Bing Crosby, Doris Day, Rosemary Clooney and a few Rock-a Billy newcomers were on the charts. Songs like "Dear Hearts and Gentle People," "Mona Lisa," "Tennessee Waltz," "Chattanooga Shoe-Shine Boy" and Gene Autry's "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer" were topping the charts of a war weary and optimistic nation.

Then, in 1952, a fellow by the name of Alan Freed, virtually unknown outside of his Cleveland radio audience, held an event called the "Moondog Coronation Ball." In 1954 Alan moved his radio show to New York, started playing rhythm and blues and later that same year spun a platter by Bill Haley and the Comets called "Rock Around the Clock."

I know that when you see "50's At The Hop," you will be leaving the theater with a song or two going round and round in your head. It happens every time. "50's At The Hop" is addictive. The good part being that it is a great addiction to have.

Along with Marvin, the coolest saxophonist in town, and the Hoppettes, you will be doing the "Hand-Jive," swooning with Roy Orbison, stomping your feet with Ray Charles and dreaming with Shane, David and Michael's broken hearted medley.

Jump in that 57 Chevy and cruise on cool ones with part II of "A Short History of Rock and Roll" and 50's At the Hop. You will be glad you did.