Messer Brothers Return for Opry’s 8th Anniversary July 26!

From the first Sopchoppy Opry show in July 2000, it was apparent that classic country music was king in our area!  And on this 8th Anniversary, its popularity with country music lovers continues to grow!  Scores of musicians have performed on the historic stage as guests of the Opry’s own Southbound Band!  $150,000+ has been raised to assist the Wakulla County School Board and SHS Alumni Association in restoring historic Sopchoppy High School!  Ticket demand is expected to be very high for this show, so everyone is encouraged to call early (in the month) for tickets, 962-3711!

Just like the very first show and every anniversary since, the legendary Messer Brothers – Charles, Paul and Buddy – are Southbound’s special guests!  Music by the Messer Brothers has graced the Big Bend area for more than a half century.  Starting in their teens, the brothers, affectionately referred to as the “Messer Boys” by their legions of friends and fans, started playing country music in an FFA (Future Farmers of America) string band.  Paul competed and won the state fiddle championship at the age of 12 and along with Brother Charles formed a band that played regularly on radio station WTNT AM for several years.

After high school, the Messers went their separate ways, joining the rock-a-billy and rock-n-roll generation with their individual groups.  Charles formed the ‘Velvets’, a dance band that was a staple on the Tallahassee scene for more than thirty years.  Paul’s band, the ‘Chaotics’ toured the tri-states for several years in the heyday of the rock-n-roll era.  Buddy, being the youngest of the brothers, came on the music scene in the 1960’s and is the lead vocalist for the Messers.  All are now retired from their regular jobs and play together for very special occasions – the annual ‘Southside Reunion’ for all their childhood friends in southern Tallahassee and the Sopchoppy Opry’s Anniversary Show!  Playing with the Messers will be long time friends, drummer Don White and Leon Roberts on the pedal steel guitar.

And this year, the Messers are bringing along a cousin, little Miss Taylor Lee!  Taylor, a 6th grader at Montford Middle School in Tallahassee, has been singing since she was five years old and has trained under the direction of  Janet Fleishman and the Tallahassee Academy of Arts!  She is no stranger in Wakulla County having performed recently at the Veteran’s Day and Rotary Valentine Celebrations and several churches and other local events.  Taylor loves Gospel music and will sing popular numbers “Jesus Take The Wheel” and “On My Knees” during the second hour of the show!  Taylor is the daughter of Jamie and Christine Lee of Tallahassee and the Granddaughter of  Sopchoppy resident Jimmy Lee (deceased) and Jane P. Lee.

Rounding out the parade of talent on the Opry’s 8th  Anniversary Show are several former members of  Southbound Band, the show’s popular house band!  Mac McWaters, Joel and Judy Harrison, Don Pace, Rody Strickland and others will return for a grand reunion of  talented individuals who’ve graced the Opry stage during the first 8 years!

“Anniversary shows are always fun, a great time to celebrate the show’s success and say “THANK YOU” to our fans, says Bob Sims, the Opry’s Musical Coordinator.  “It’s a time to fellowship with some of the best musicians and fans in the world, all in a family atmosphere, our family, the Sopchoppy Opry!  This could very well be our best anniversary show ever.  Don’t miss it!”

All this and the ‘new’ Southbound Band show, too, with  Bob Sims, Buck Jones, Johnny Calloway, Reggie Bradley, Lamar Brock, B.C. Brown and Wayne Martin! Curtain time is 7 pm!

The ticket office and concession opens at 5:30 pm day of the show! Call 962-3711 for tickets and information.  Come early, enjoy some great food and desserts in air-conditioned comfort before the show!  Remember, all net proceeds from Opry performances are used toward the restoration of historic Sopchoppy High School.

We will see you at the Opry July 26!

Story by Jesse Quigg, Opry Publicist (Volunteer)
Taylor Lee photos & story by Jane Lee
Photos:  Messer Bros, Southbound Band by Don Pace

This article originally published on July 14, 2008.

Written by :

mkwestmark

 

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