AUGUSTA | An idea that sprang to life in 2014 has turned into a full blown production and tourist attraction for the riverfront town of Augusta.
“Opry by the River,” which debuted in April 2015, is the brain child of local musicians, Pat Feagan and Brandi Courtney.
According to Jackie Hopkins, who helps coordinate and market the shows, Pat and Courtney began contacting and recruiting musicians with the concept of re-creating the Grand Ole Opry shows of the 1950s. They brought the idea to her for support and she recruited Allison Parker into the discussions. From there, a location was secured, costumes made, scripts written and hours were spent practicing the country music of that era.
Jackie said the group decided to have the performances the first Friday of each month, to determine if there was enough interest in the shows and to see how ticket sales would go.
“We’ve sold out every month,” she said of the seven monthly productions staged so far.
Held at the Old Chapel by the River in Augusta, such well known “musicians” as Porter Wagner, Dolly Parton, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Jessie Colter, Speck Rhodes, Minnie Pearl, and others have made appearances at the shows.
Jackie said the Old Chapel on Parkview Street was a perfect location for the shows, because its interior is reminiscent of the Ryman Theater in Nashville, which is the former Union Tabernacle. The Grand Ole Opry moved to the Ryman in 1943.Â
“It’s a very unique setting and it works,” she said of the Old Chapel.
Each performance is one hour and 50 minutes, complete with costumes.
Jackie said each performer has brought something to the table, to make the shows a success.
With capacity seating of 120 at the Old Chapel, Jackie said the audience is an integral part of the show, along with the performers.
With the “regular” season of “Opry by the River” over for 2015, the cast will perform two nights of shows themed around a small town country Christmas. The shows will be staged Friday, Nov. 27, and Friday, Dec. 4: there will be two shows each night at 5 p.m. and again at 8 p.m.
Jackie said doing two performances on back to back weekends will help them determine whether or not an increase in shows can be handled for the 2016 season, which is scheduled to resume in April.
“The Christmas show will be a test,” she said.Â
The cast of “Opry by the River” includes: Pat Feagan, who plays the fiddle and has been with the band Harvest for 30 years; Brandi Courtney, a musician and songwriter who performs with Feagan as a duo, she is a former cast member at Opryland; Jerry Taylor, whose music credits include USAF Band “Wild Blue Country” and he is a member of the house band at the Lebanon (Ohio) Grand Opry House; Norman Belt, a champion fiddle player and played with the Fresno (California) Junior Philharmonics; Sammy Linville, who plays the guitar and won a karaoke contest at Renfro Valley; Cheryll Berry, who started singing with the Paint Valley Jamboree at the age of 16; Allison Parker, and Jackie Hopkins.
For information, visit “Opry by the River” in Augusta Kentucky on Facebook or contact Hopkins at 843-503-0439 or Parker at 716-515-8019.
“Opry by the River” cast member Allison Parker portrays Minnie Pearl.
Cast member Allison Parker, and Jackie Hopkins, right, who helps market the productions and works as stage assistant.
