The Shadow
CLIFTON FORGE — The Virginia Opry has been designated the official opry for the commonwealth of Virginia.
Legislation recognizing the Virginia Opry passed the Virginia Senate 40-0 on Jan. 21 and was approved by the House of Delegates 93-6 on Feb. 24.
Gov. Ralph Northam signed the legislation on March 31.
The Virginia Opry was founded by Appalfolks of America Association via M. Ray Allen’s planning in 1992 and made its debut on the stage of the Historic Stonewall Theatre — now the Historic Masonic Theatre in Clifton Forge — on Oct. 16. 1992.
Previously, the House of Delegates saluted the Virginia Opry by resolution on its 25th anniversary in 2017.
“I wish to thank Sen. R. Creigh Deeds and Del. Terry Austin for their ongoing support of the Virginia Opry,” Allen said. “Both have attended Virginia Opry performances.”
From country, bluegrass and gospel to Americana and classic rock ‘n’ roll, the Virginia Opry has featured prominent national talent such as Dan Seals, the Lonesome River Band, the Darrell Webb Band, Freight Hoppers, Michael Hoover, the Farm Hands and Keith Bryant.
Local bands have included Crimson River, Mountain Thunder, Moonshine Express, Crossties, Freight Train, Ruckus Bluegrass Band, Cardinal State, Oriskany Strings Band and Gloryland.
Clogging groups include the Happy Time Cloggers, Rebels of Rhythm, Old Dominion Cloggers and Piney Mountain Cloggers.
Directors of the Virginia Opry have included Ray Tucker, Allen, Country Jim Tippy, Denny Tincher, Robby Meadows, Judy Coleman, and William Nicely.
Allen serves as the current director. His daughter, Jana, and Glen Shelton serve as current emcees.
“Currently, the Virginia Opry has 40 members and 12 bands, and three of the 10 original members from 1992 are still members,”?Allen said. “Three of the 12 bands are local bands based here in the Alleghany Highlands.”
A record gate of $4,558 was enjoyed for “Memories of Elvis,”?performed by Michael Hoover in August of 2018. The official theme song for the opry is “Home Sweet Home, Virginia,”?co-written by Allen and the late Bob Campbell. Bob Campbell and the Coachmen set the attendance record in 1994 when 510 patrons purchased tickets.
Over the years, the Historic Stonewall Theatre, the Historic Masonic Theatre, Washington & Lee University, the Masonic Amphitheatre and the Buckhorne Country Store and Campground have served as venues for the Virginia Opry.
For one performance, a tour bus from Fort Payne, Ala., brought 35 country music fans to the opry.
“Half of the 40 members of the Virginia Opry are from the Alleghany Highlands,” Allen noted. “The other half are from as far away as Texas and Baltimore.”
Throughout the years, the opry has performed two benefits for Clifton Forge Little League and other individuals in need.
Tentative Virginia Opry show dates in 2020 are Aug. 21-22, Oct. 3 and Dec. 12.
Bill Pinkney’s Original Drifters and band members are set to be inducted into the Virginia Opry on Aug. 22.
“The Virginia Opry has the potential to become a viable tourist attraction here in the Alleghany Highlands with 103.5 Big Country serving as its home,”
Allen concluded. “Appalfolks of America continues to work hand-in-glove with the Alleghany Highlands Chamber of Commerce and Tourism to develop the Virginia Opry’s brand, and I am grateful to Teresa Hammond for her support of the Virginia Opry.”
