The Shadow
CLIFTON FORGE, VA (VR) – The Commonwealth of Virginia’s official Opry, The Virginia Opry, will showcase Keith Bryant who will perform “A Special Musical Salute To Dolly Parton” at the Historic Masonic Theatre on Thursday, October 22, at 7:00 p.m.
Bryant, who at 19, became well known in the field of country music in 2000, after winning the “Best Vocalist Award” in the East Coast Country Music Championship. After winning the title, he formed Ironhorse, the band that toured up and down the Shenandoah Valley until Bryant launched his solo career in 2004.
Bryant, who resides in Rockbridge County, will perform “Ridin’ with the Legend,” the hit song about Dale Earnhardt, the NASCAR racing champion who died in 2001. His top hit, “Ridin’ with the Legend,” peaked at No. 47 on “Billboard Hot Country Songs,” while remaining 15 weeks on the charts.
Appalfolks of America Cloggers, a youth group that was formed in 2022, with 10 members, has grown to 35 and will open for Bryant. Formed by Amanda Patterson Burns, dance instructor and owner of A-1 Studios on Main Street in Covington, Appalfolks of America Cloggers has won numerous awards for excellence in competitions in Virginia and North Carolina. Patterson, a certified clogging instructor, is a member of Appalfolks of America
Association’s Board of Directors.
After a short intermission, Bryant will perform many of the songs from his four albums: “The Secret of Life,” 2000; “Welcome to Love,” 2002; “Ridin’ with the Legend,” 2004; and “Live It Slow,” 2007. Also, he will perform hits by such country music stars as Vince Gill and Chris Stapleton in additon to performing his “Special Musical Salute to Dolly Parton.”
“Ridin’ with the Legend” received nearly a year of radio airplay across the nation and resulted in Bryant securing a corporate sponsor in San Diego that provided him with a touring motorhome and an18-wheeler to carry his equipment on tours up and down California, Oregon, and Washington State before completing engagements across the country from Nevada to Maine for four touring seasons. His hit continues to be played at NASCAR events.
Bryant will be returning to the Historic Masonic Theatre after his last performance, which was held on Feb. 10, 2024, when he entertained an enthusiastic audience with his mastery of both guitar and keyboard, switching from one to the other throughout his performance on The Virginia Opry.
M. Ray Allen, executive director and founder of The Virginia Opry that made its debut on Oct. 17, 1992, on stage at The Historic Masonic Theatre, remarked, “Keith is a longtime member of The Virginia Opry, and I am happy to showcase his talent, especially since COVID-19 restricted theatre usage in 2020, which forced Appalfolks to cancel our showcase show featuring Keith.”
Allen concluded, “Keith and I have collaborated on a follow up song to “Ridin’ with the Legend,” and he will perform our special song that we hope will soon be recorded.”
Recording in Nashville on such labels as Lofton Creek Records, Bryant has a number of singles to his credit: “Drivers in Heaven,” 2001; “Welcome to Love,” 2002; “Somebody,” 2005; “She Danced,” 2007; and “The Note,” 2011. He continues to share his music by performing one-man shows up and down the Shenandoah Valley and in Southwest Virginia.
He has performed on cruise ships, at NASCAR races, and in Major League Baseball parks such as the Baltimore Orioles where he sang “The National Anthem.”
Ticket prices range from $25 to $35 depending upon seating sections (balcony, orchestra, or box seats) in The Historic Masonic Theatre (circa 1905) and can be purchased online by visiting www.historicmasonictheatre.com or by calling (540) 862-5655. The box office is located at 510 Main Street in Clifton Forge and is open for business Tues., through Fri. from noon till 3:00 p.m.
