James Boyd
Georgia’s Grand Ole Opry
I grew up down in the boondocks of Toombs County, Georgia in the tradition of country and southern gospel music. When I was a youngster living in an old but sturdy wood house covered with wood shingles, we had the only radio in the community—a big battery-powered Philco. When you turned the volume up you could hear it loud and clear for a couple of miles around.
Because we had a radio, our house was a gathering place for young people as well as adults. Another drawing card was my two older good-looking sisters, Hazel and Florine.
Saturday night was a special time. People would gather from around the community. If peanuts were in season, we would have peanut boiling’s or peanuts parched on the stove and tea or lemonade and some other goodies. It was a party time as people gathered to listen to the Grand Ole Opry.
Such acquaintance with country music ingrained itself in my genes and made a lasting impression. I am and have been exposed to all kinds of music over the years but classic country is deep-seated—I love it.
B. J. and I have been to Branson, Missouri three times to listen to some of the superstars of country music. We have listened to the greats in Pigeon Forge, and the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville.
However, you don’t have to drive long distances to enjoy fine country and southern gospel music. One of the outstanding locations to revel in the country classics is the popular Hunter Opry House just off Nail’s Ferry Road near Baxley.
The Hunter Opry House seats several hundred people and has a large, nice stage to accommodate a number of singers and musicians. The Hunter Opry House has been there a long time and is growing in popularity.
The lead singer and emcee for the well-known country music show is my friend country music and southern gospel music enthusiast, Floyd Hunter. Floyd is a skilled guitarist and a superb singer. He can hold his own with the superstars anytime. Floyd also serves the people as Clerk of the Court in Appling County. Floyd is a lot of fun. The people love him.
When the Hunter Opry gets together at the Hunter Opry House, there is a lot of lively talent on the big stage to present the best in energetic entertainment.
Some of the delightful performers are Dwayne Sellers, lead guitar and singer; Gene Davis, pianist; Donald Harrelson, bass guitar and singer; Roger Anderson, steel guitar and singer; Bill Walton, banjo and mandolin; Jerry Hall, drums and singer; Kim Hall (Jerry’s wife), singer and back-up; Donald Carter, rhythm guitar, harmonica, and singer; Gay Stone, singer and back-up; Kevin Hunter, rhythm guitar; Reno Carter, rhythm Guitar, and Dobro.
When you get all these musical artists together on the stage at the Hunter Opry House you have an outstanding combination that will exhilarate you and keep you spellbound for hours.
B.J. and I have been to the Hunter Opry House several times across the years. Having pastored in that area for fourteen years in the past, we run into a lot of our friends and acquaintances there and have some good fellowship.
We like to attend the Hunter Opry with our fellow country music lovers, Gail and Dave Eason of Baxley. We go a long way back with the Eason’s and have spent a lot of fun time with them.
We met Dave and Gail last Saturday night at the Hunter Opry House. We had to park on the shoulder of the road a good walk away but the Eason’s had arrived early and fortunately had saved seats for us. The Opry House was packed out!
The Hunter Opry is more than a local event. People come from far and near to enjoy the great family entertainment that takes place there. There is no charge for admission but they do take up a love offering during the show.
Come hungry. They have a big kitchen that serves up hot dogs, hamburgers, sausage dogs, French fries, soft drinks and popcorn.
The Saturday night opry at the Hunter Opry House is a magnificent musical experience. If you come one time you will want to return again and again. Check The Baxley News-Banner for dates and times.
Saturday night was a special time. People would gather from around the community. If peanuts were in season, we would have peanut boiling’s or peanuts parched on the stove and tea or lemonade and some other goodies. It was a party time as people gathered to listen to the Grand Ole Opry.
Such acquaintance with country music ingrained itself in my genes and made a lasting impression. I am and have been exposed to all kinds of music over the years but classic country is deep-seated—I love it.
B. J. and I have been to Branson, Missouri three times to listen to some of the superstars of country music. We have listened to the greats in Pigeon Forge, and the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville.
However, you don’t have to drive long distances to enjoy fine country and southern gospel music. One of the outstanding locations to revel in the country classics is the popular Hunter Opry House just off Nail’s Ferry Road near Baxley.
The Hunter Opry House seats several hundred people and has a large, nice stage to accommodate a number of singers and musicians. The Hunter Opry House has been there a long time and is growing in popularity.
The lead singer and emcee for the well-known country music show is my friend country music and southern gospel music enthusiast, Floyd Hunter. Floyd is a skilled guitarist and a superb singer. He can hold his own with the superstars anytime. Floyd also serves the people as Clerk of the Court in Appling County. Floyd is a lot of fun. The people love him.
When the Hunter Opry gets together at the Hunter Opry House, there is a lot of lively talent on the big stage to present the best in energetic entertainment.
Some of the delightful performers are Dwayne Sellers, lead guitar and singer; Gene Davis, pianist; Donald Harrelson, bass guitar and singer; Roger Anderson, steel guitar and singer; Bill Walton, banjo and mandolin; Jerry Hall, drums and singer; Kim Hall (Jerry’s wife), singer and back-up; Donald Carter, rhythm guitar, harmonica, and singer; Gay Stone, singer and back-up; Kevin Hunter, rhythm guitar; Reno Carter, rhythm Guitar, and Dobro.
When you get all these musical artists together on the stage at the Hunter Opry House you have an outstanding combination that will exhilarate you and keep you spellbound for hours.
B.J. and I have been to the Hunter Opry House several times across the years. Having pastored in that area for fourteen years in the past, we run into a lot of our friends and acquaintances there and have some good fellowship.
We like to attend the Hunter Opry with our fellow country music lovers, Gail and Dave Eason of Baxley. We go a long way back with the Eason’s and have spent a lot of fun time with them.
We met Dave and Gail last Saturday night at the Hunter Opry House. We had to park on the shoulder of the road a good walk away but the Eason’s had arrived early and fortunately had saved seats for us. The Opry House was packed out!
The Hunter Opry is more than a local event. People come from far and near to enjoy the great family entertainment that takes place there. There is no charge for admission but they do take up a love offering during the show.
Come hungry. They have a big kitchen that serves up hot dogs, hamburgers, sausage dogs, French fries, soft drinks and popcorn.
The Saturday night opry at the Hunter Opry House is a magnificent musical experience. If you come one time you will want to return again and again. Check The Baxley News-Banner for dates and times.
Trackbacks
Trackback specific URI for this entry
No Trackbacks