The Virginia Opry, honored by the Virginia General Assembly in February, will present “Tribute to America” on Saturday, July 8, on stage at the Historic Masonic Theatre in downtown Clifton Forge (circa 1905) at 8:00 p.m.

Nashville recording artist, Keith Bryant will perform as a special guest.  Also, Milk and Honey, a gospel bluegrass duo; and Gentlemen South, a country music duo; will share the stage with The Virginia Opry’s band and vocalists.

The Virginia Opry will feature Kim Cahoon, an original member who performed as a vocalist during The Virginia Opry’s 1992 debut.  Also, William R. Nicely, a vocalist who joined The Virginia Opry later on and is currently the Director, will perform along with his wife, Holly, a vocalist newcomer.

The Virginia Opry’s band members are Charlotte Ivy, a vocalist and rhythm guitarist; Billy Berberette, bass guitarist and vocalist; Max Fisher, vocalist who plays lead guitar and dobro; Denny Fitzgerald, vocalist who plays banjo and dobro; Stephen Peery, keyboardist and vocalist; and Cheyenne Curtis, drummer.

Bryant’s “Riding with a Legend” reached the Top Ten on Billboard’s Country Music Chart, and “Waking Amy,”  also became a hit for him.  Bryant hails from Rockbridge County, Virginia.

Milk and Honey features a husband and wife team, Melvin and Laura Snead.  The Virginia Opry will feature some patriotic music, classic rock, bluegrass, and gospel as well as country, and a special tribute to America will be rendered and feature American soldiers, members of the local VFW, and local first responders.

The Virginia Opry has hosted prominent bluegrass groups such as The Lonesome River Band and The Farm Hands, and Gentlemen South, which is made up of two brothers, Stephen Peery and Justin Peery who provide the entertainment for Justin’s Maple Hall & Restaurant 1850 in Lexington.

The Virginia Opry was honored on February 17, when the Virginia General Assembly passed “Resolution 397” to commemorate The Virginia Opry completing 25 years of country music in the Alleghany Highlands.  The Virginia Opry has hosted such guests as the late Dan Seals, Michael Hoover, Shellem Cline, Bob Campbell and the Coachmen, and Lime Kiln’s cast of “Stonewall Country.”

AAA has presented such nationally prominent groups and one-man acts on stage at the Historic Masonic Theatre, Virginia’s oldest theatre, as Bill Pinkney and the Original Drifters, John McCutcheon, Linda and Robin Williams and Their Fine Group, Charlie Waller and the Country Gentlemen, The Easter Brothers, Goose Creek Symphony, and the late Mike Seager.

The Masonic Theatre is located at 510 Main Street in Clifton Forge, Virginia. Tickets are $12 for balcony seating, $15 for downstairs seating, and $20 for box seats.  The box office number is (540) 862-5655, and tickets may be reserved by going online: historicmasonictheatre.com.  Group rates are also available. For more information about the Masonic, visit HistoricMasonicTheatre.com 

M. Ray Allen, executive director, concluded, “The Virginia Opry opened in October of 1992, and Delegate Terry Austin, a republican from our 19th district, came to our Feb. show this year and was so impressed that he introduced “Resolution 397” that the Virginia General Assembly passed to honor our achievement.”

– Hashtag Lewisburg, #91. July 2017.