Purvis Brothers To Be Featured On September Opry!

It’s hard to believe that the 2008 Sopchoppy Opry season is almost over! We might be on the short end of the season but the talent and great shows just keep on coming!  And so do the fans!  The show’s popularity has resulted in a long string of sellouts and tickets for the September 27-7 pm Opry with Southbound’s special guests, the Purvis Brothers and Johnny Calloway are going fast!

“Opry fans know when the Purvis Boys are in town, tickets are at a premium”, says Mac McWaters, veteran Talent Coordinator and Co-Founder of the popular classic country show.  “The Purvis Brothers are a talented group with a show filled with great music from the 50’s forward!  When you put them on stage with all their experience and showmanship, you have entertainment that fans appreciate and will ‘knock the doors down’ to see!”

“It has been exactly one year since the Purvis Brothers performed on the Opry stage in historic Sopchoppy High Auditorium, and for Opry fans that way too long!  Early ticket sales indicate another ‘wall to wall’ crowd can be expected in the historic hall for the return of the talented trio!,” Mac adds.  “I encourage fans to call the ticket office (962-3711) early to get tickets reserved for this show! This is going to be a very special night at the Sopchoppy Opry!”

The Purvis Brothers – Mike, Wendell & Frank – are from Monticello, Florida where they grew up and have played music together for the past 3 decades.  The brothers as a group and individually, perform regularly on the Monticello Jamboree, a weekly country music show and dance held at the Jefferson County American Legion.  They have been featured on the Perry (Fl) Opry, a country show sponsored by radio station WPRY and spend weekends playing at special events.  Dr. Mike Purvis, lead guitarist/vocalist for the band played lead guitar with Southbound, for the August 30 show, filling in for the late Bob Sims, who passed away August 11.

"Mr. Country” Johnny Calloway, the Opry’s own dynamo of sound will perform during  Southbound’s hour of the show! Johnny is a favorite on the Opry and makes occasional appearances. His rendition of country’s classic tunes has earned many accolades among Opry fans and his ever expanding fan base.

The Sopchoppy Opry’s own Southbound Band is known far and wide among country music fans! And to the hundreds of visitors that see the band perform every year at the Sopchoppy Opry’s eleven (11) shows held on the historic stage of Sopchoppy High School, it is simply the ‘best’ classic country band in the South! 

One of the major reasons for the band’s popularity is the classic country music and the fantastic sounds contributed  by veteran peddle steele guitar player, Buck Jones.  The cry of the steel guitar may be gone from Nashville’s music but thanks to Buck Jones, for the past five years Southbound Band has had the unique steele guitar sound, setting it apart (from all the others bands).  Buck’s talent, honed over several decades of performing has made him one of the premier steel players in the nation.  He was recently featured in the national steel guitar show and convention in St. Louis, Missouri where he performed with other steel players from throughout the country.  His long time friend and fellow musician, Mac McWaters who has played with Buck over the years describes his talent and skill as ‘simply the best’.  “Buck is a fantastic musician, a great band member and has made a huge difference in the Southbound sound”, Mac concludes. 

The Purvis Brothers, Johnny Calloway, Buck Jones and a brand new Southbound show too!  Hey folks!  It just doesn’t get any better than this!  Showtime is 7 pm.

COME EARLY, PICK UP YOUR TICKETS, THEN ENJOY SOME WORLD CLASS CONCESSIONS BEFORE THE SHOW!!!  Ticket office and concession area open at 5:30 pm!  Call 962-3711 for ticket information! 

We look forward to seeing you
at the Sopchoppy Opry,
Saturday-September 27!

Story by Jesse Quigg, Opry Publicist (volunteer)
Photo Credits: Purvis Brothers, Johnny Calloway, Buck Jones - Don Pace (Opry Photographer)

This article originally published on September  17, 2008.

Per Wakulla.com policy, all reader comments (submitted below) must include a valid first and last name.

Written by :

mkwestmark

 

Comments (0)

You must be logged in to post a comment.