Go Away With … Barry Williams

By Jae-Ha Kim
Tribune Content Agency
February 3, 2015

Best known for playing Greg Brady on “The Brady Bunch,” Barry Williams is back on television with “A Very Barry Branson.” In the new Great American Country series, Williams welcomes viewers into his home life in Branson, Missouri, and to tag along as he puts together his ’70s-style musical variety show.

“Branson is located in southwest Missouri in the beautiful Ozark Mountains,” says Williams, 60. “As a resort destination, it offers everything with a distinct outdoors feel: hiking, biking, riding, fishing, water-skiing, cliff jumping, mini golf, go carts, laser tag and amusement parks. And, of course, lots and lots of entertainment with nearly 100 live music shows — and not all of them are country!”

For more information on Williams, check out his website. He also recently created a Twitter account, where fans may stay in touch.

Q. You were born and raised in California. Do you miss it?

A. Sometimes! Los Angeles was a great place to grow up with so many things to see, do and appreciate. Most everyone talks about the weather there, and for good reason. For me, the Pacific is the great drawing card. I spent many years living on the ocean from Santa Monica to Malibu, and it is simply spectacular.

Q. What is your favorite vacation destination?

A. I have been fortunate to travel most of the world and have crisscrossed the United States multiple times. When I want to get away, enjoy, relax, chill and be happy, (I go to) Maui, Hawaii, buy a Mai Tai and hit the beach. Hawaii offers a diverse number of activities to enjoy and one of them is just taking it easy. Too often I have gone on a vacation only to discover when I return that I need time to recover from my vacation! The only thing I have been longer in my life than a “Brady” is a surfer. So, when visiting the islands, my activities are, surf, beach, rest, sleep and eat.

Q. What was the first trip you took as a child?

A. It was a family vacation to Lake Arrowhead not far from Los Angeles. I loved everything about it. Being with my family, the ride up the mountain, the friends we knew there, the smell of the many, many pine trees, feeding the squirrels from the porch. Plus, I learned to water ski in that lake, something I continue to enjoy to this day, only now I ski in my Branson backyard known as Table Rock Lake.

Q. Where have you recently visited?

A. New York. I loved the culture, museums, theatre, food and rich ethnic diversity. To me, it truly represents the melting pot and I enjoy interacting with the locals. There are a million places to discover, and every time I go, I find one or two more. Recently, I took the Staten Island Ferry from Battery Park. It’s beautiful going out where the Hudson River meets the Atlantic, cruise past Lady Liberty and Ellis Island, turn around and come back.

Q. What’s the most important thing you’ve learned from your travels?

A. Research where you are going and what you anticipate doing and seeing. Pack lightly, be early, don’t rush, do not plan too many things to do, have your travel documents with you and up to date and don’t leave anything in your hotel room when you check out.

Q. Where are your favorite weekend getaways?

A. I like to get off the beaten path and find small towns that I can drive to. There are a bunch of them in the Midwest that I have discovered for the weekends. One of them is a little art town just south of Branson called Eureka Springs in Arkansas, lots of colorful people, good artisan shopping and food. It has a rich history.

Q. What would you recommend people do in Eureka Springs?

A.   If you visit Eureka Springs try Le Stick Nouveau for dinner. Located in the New Orleans Hotel, it has great atmosphere and they serve the best Beef Wellington I have ever eaten. Just 15 minutes away is a fantastic resort called Big Cedar lodge. Sometimes I will book a private cabin and just enjoy the grounds. It’s on Table Rock Lake and has a beautiful private marina. There is also a world-class spa on the property for a bit of personal pampering, as in deep tissue massage. If time permits, I will hit the links on their new Executive Golf course. Several good restaurants and some of the nicest people anywhere. Very enjoyable and relaxing. Branson is all about outdoors. So camping is also a must throughout the spring and summer. Grab a sleeping bag and enjoy nature!

Q. Where would you like to go that you have never been to before?

A. United Arab Emirates. I don’t know too much about it, but from the photos I have seen and the people I know who have been there, it looks like a place (I want) to visit.

Q. When you go away, what are some of your must-have items?

A. Toothbrush, swimsuit and workout clothes.

Q. What would be your dream trip?

A. I would love to cruise the Mediterranean for a month in a large yacht during the springtime, stopping and visiting small islands and countries along the way.

Q. What are your favorite hotels?
A. I don’t have a favorite chain of hotels.  I like to have clean rooms, hot water, a friendly staff, room service and a room with a view.

Q. Have you traveled to a place that stood out so much that you felt compelled to incorporate it into your work?
A. Yes. Branson, Missouri, where I now live and work.

Q. Where is the most romantic destination?
A. Romance is where the heart is, but Hawaii seems to work pretty well.  It is a great place to be in love.

Q. If you’ve ever gone away for the holidays (Christmas, etc.), which was the best trip?
A. My parents were married on New Year’s Eve and we took many family trips during the holidays. My favorite was to Catalina Island 26 miles off the coast of Santa Monica.

Q. What are your favorite restaurants?
A. American, Italian, Indian and French.  I like tablecloths, good service and great food.

Q. What kind of research do you do before you go away on a trip?
A. The Internet is the best advance planning search engine imaginable.  Everybody has a website and you can learn virtually everything about where you are going on a vacation. By the way did I give you mine? Happy travels!

Q. What are some of your favorite cities?
A. Chicago is like a mini-version of New York with friendly people. It is much closer to me from here in Missouri and I visit often. I love the Great Lake and I have many friends there. Great pizza!

Of all the cities I have visited, Monte Carlo stands out as super cool. It feels very exclusive, elite, French…  Everything is clean and well cared for, and it is a tremendous mix of people who come from all over the world. Always something going on there such as the Grand Prix, the Monte Carlo Rolex Masters tennis tournament and the Yacht Show. I have not seen a collection of private yachts anywhere that compares with Monte Carlo.

Lahaina is the main port town on Maui. Originally a whaling port, now it provides the “live it up” aspect to the “wind it down” lifestyle of the island. Here is where you can find your tablecloth dining, theatre, movie houses, clubs… Mick Fleetwood (Fleetwood Mac) just opened up a restaurant on Front Street called Fleetwood’s. Good food, live entertainment, views of the water, and you might even catch Mick himself playing the drums when he is not on tour with the band.

And Branson. I was immediately attached to the energy of the Ozark Mountains and Branson. After traveling for a lifetime, I really enjoy the more relaxed pace, the friendly residents, the beauty of the mountains and lakes. Branson is the type of resort I used to work all year long to save up and go to vacation for 10 days. Now I live here and enjoy it all year long.

 

© 2015 JAE-HA KIM
DISTRIBUTED BY TRIBUNE CONTENT AGENCY, LLC.