Ken Carter almost took a desk job out of college. But even then, he knew he wasn’t a briefcase guy. He was a lightboard guy—a gifted technician who would go on to help City stages shine for 50 showstopping years.
After graduating from School of the Ozarks, he took a job at Silver Dollar City but soon got an offer to work as a computer programmer for an insurance company near Kansas City.
“Gosh, I’m thankful I didn’t take that,” he laughs. “I was already at The City working outside in the beautiful Ozarks, why would I give that up to sit in a tiny cubicle? No way!”
Back then, Ken was a singer and actor who found his way into different performing roles at the relatively young theme park. He smiles as he remembers those early days.
“I got hired as a character named Worry Willy doing line control at The Flooded Mine. I had some clever one-liners and was supposed to act like I was worried that riders wouldn’t come back from the float trip,” he giggles. “It was so fun being out there shoulder-to-shoulder with our visitors.”
In 1976, Ken played his guitar entertaining families in Midtown, singing kids’ songs like “Oh, Susannah” while guests came in and out of Grandfather’s Mansion.
Soon after, he performed on a small stage outside the Ozark Marketplace and eventually took the spotlight at the Silver Dollar Saloon.
By the early ‘90s, the guy who once took center stage fell in love with making sure others shined under the lights. The park’s entertainment department had grown so much that it added a tech team. It was full-time, year-round work—crucial for Ken who was now a family man.
“Being a tech really fulfilled me even though I missed performing a little bit. I’ve been blessed to work on most shows through the years in almost every venue. Being in back of house if perfectly okay with me!”
Don’t mistake Ken’s behind-the-scenes role for a step back. Every switch flipped, every spotlight aimed, is just another way to do what he’s always loved most—making people smile.
“Seeing those smiles keeps my soul young at heart. I’ve seen kids come here with their parents, and now I’m seeing their kids bringing their own families,” he reflects. “That’s the magic of this place. You’re part of people’s memories, and that makes the years fly by.”
Five decades have truly flown by for Ken, now in his 70s, but he has no plans to dim the lights anytime soon. He’s always ready to illuminate another show, another memory.
“So many folks retire from careers then come to The City for something fun to do with their time. I’m already here, so why would I leave? Just think, if I had taken that desk job, I’d be sitting somewhere shuffling papers. Instead, I get to help create joy. You tell me who got the better deal.”
This summer, Ken will be honored at Silver Dollar City’s Service Pin ceremony, alongside other Citizens marking key milestones. To commemorate his 50 years, a Dogwood tree will be planted in his honor behind the park’s historic Wilderness Church
As Public Relations Manager for the Silver Dollar City Company, she is eager to tap into her journalism background to hunt down “heart tugs” to write about—those stories that celebrate…
