The Virginia Opry will feature Country Music Star Chris Lane as headliner on its “Heroes and the Brave” show at Lime Kiln Arts Theater on Sat., April 30, at 7:00 p.m.
Lily Rose and Ashley Cooke will open for Lane at the sold out show that will honor first responders and VMI’s class of 2022.
Lane rose to national prominence as an American country music singer and songwriter after releasing his single, “Broken Windshield,” in 2014. The song charted on “Billboard Hot Country Songs” and peaked at No. 45.
Since then, six more of his songs have charted with the following three reaching No. 1: “Fix,” “I Don’t Know About You” and “Big, Big Plans.”
Lily Rose, who was born in Georgia, gained national prominence on the country music scene via the release of a viral smash, “Villian,” in 2020. She was recognized at the 2022 GLAAD Media Awards as the Outstanding Breakout Artist of the Year, and she was nominated as ACM Best New Female Artist.
Ashley Cooke, born in Wisconsin, has made her mark on Music Row, and her current song, “Sunday Morning Kinda Saturday Night” has vaulted her to national prominence on the country music scene.
Cooke won the Country Showcase at Belmont University, and from there she has recorded hits such as “Already Drank That Beer” and “Good Goodbye.”
Justin Peery, executive director of the show who is a member of The Virginia Opry, said, “The show is sold out thanks to a philanthropic donation that has enabled The Virginia Opry to provide free tickets to nearly 500 local first responders, EMS, firemen, police, nurses and other front line workers.”
He added, “Also in attendance will be the VMI Corps of Cadets, parents, VMI faculty and members of staff.”
“As executive producer of The Virginia Opry’s show, I am aware that most of VMI’s treasured events such as “The Ring Figure Ceremony” were foregone due to the coronavirus pandemic, and the purpose of our show is especially to honor VMI’s Class of 2022 as many of them will become future leaders of our military and private sector,” Peery remarked.
He concluded, “We want to give them something to smile about and enjoy something that they will remember for the rest of their lives and not let Covid-19 win.”
Prior to the 6:30 p.m. show, Big Country 103.5 will conduct a remote broadcast from 2:00 p.m. till 6:00 p.m. with radio personality, “Big Al,” on hand.
In May of 2019, Covington’s WKEY Radio Station’s 103.5 Big Country became the “Radio Home of The Virginia Opry.”
The Virginia Opry was founded on Oct. 17, 1992, in Clifton Forge by Appalfolks of America Association, a 501 ( c ) ( 3 ) nonprofit corporation based there, and Governor Ralph S. Northam signed “Senate Bill 283” on March 31, 2020, to designated The Virginia Opry as the Commonwealth of Virginia’s official Opry.
Donations to Appalfolks are tax-deductible to the full extent of what the law permits and may be mailed to Appalfolks at 1047 Ingalls St., P.O. Box 613, Clifton Forge, VA 24422.
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