The Shadow
CLIFTON FORGE — Ray Tucker was awarded Appalfolks of America’s first Music Is Love Award that was presented to him at the Virginia Opry’s “Music Is Love” country music show at the Historic Masonic Theatre on Saturday, Feb. 15.
“Appalfolks will honor annually one entertainer and the memory of the late Bob Campbell, the director of Appalfolks’ Virginia Junior Opry who coined the slogan, as a theme for the Virginia Junior Opry that provided a springboard for many young performers to enter the field of music professionally,” said M. Ray Allen, Appalfolks founder and president. “For example, Colton Berry, who sang for the Virginia Junior Opry for two seasons, went on to perform on national [television] as a Top Ten finalist on ‘American Idol’ and to pursue a career in theatre in Texas.
“Ray Tucker not only served as director of the Virginia Opry that made its debut on October 16, 1992, but he also worked with the Virginia Junior Opry that provided a talent showcase for so many young performers throughout Virginia, including my daughter, Jana Allen who has pursued a career in theatre,” Allen added.
Jana Allen, an actress/vocalist who is a member of Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, has performed in more than a dozen movies and many television shows, including a recent performance on “Righteous Gem-stones.”
Tucker currently is the leader of a country music band, Ray Tucker and Friends, and the six-piece string-instrument band is one of 11 bands that has been inducted into The Virginia Opry.
“Ray Tucker is well deserving of our nonprofit organization’s first ‘Music Is Love Award’ because his contributions to Appalfolks have spanned three decades,” Allen concluded.——————————————————————————————————————————Ray Tucker, left, has been presented Appalfolks of America’s first Music Is Love Award. The award was presented during the Virginia Opry’s “Music Is Love” show Saturday at the Historic Masonic Theatre. At right, presenting the award, is Ray Allen, Appalfolks founder and president. (Gavin Dressler Photo)
