The Branson Show Awards is the longest-running show awards organization in town, and it all started from a pure love for world-class entertainment. Back in 2004, Gary R. Wackerly—a schoolteacher from Wilcox, Arizona—spent his summer family vacations in Branson watching and reviewing virtually every single show the town had to offer. He became such a familiar face in the crowd that the local entertainers themselves took notice. Realizing how much he appreciated the arts, performers like The Hughes Brothers encouraged Gary to start an official award system and even helped him build his very first webpage to host his reviews.

Gary's ultimate dream was to turn these reviews into a grand, live theater celebration, a milestone that came true in 2017. Following Gary’s passing in 2019, his son, Michael Wackerly, took over the organization to carry on his father’s legacy alongside co-owners James Kast and Benton Wackerly. Today, the organization is locally owned, Veteran-operated, and proudly runs as a non-profit 501(c)(3) dedicated to celebrating Branson's incredible talent with an annual celebration held each September.