Sopchoppy Opry To Celebrate 7th Anniversary!

{sidebar id=3}Hundreds of fans are expected Saturday, July 28 in historic Sopchoppy High School Auditorium for the 7th Anniversary show of the Sopchoppy Opry! This classic country music event has been held the last Saturday night of each month since July 2000 and continues to grow in popularity with country music lovers! Scores of musicians have performed on the historic stage as guests of the Opry’s own Southbound Band! $125,000+ has been raised to assist the Wakulla County School Board 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!

messers And 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. (Pictured at left: The Messer Brothers)

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.

Joining the Messers for a guest appearance during the Southbound set is the lovely and talented Lisa Watson. Lisa has performed on the Opry several times in the past 2 years and always entertains Opry fans with her powerful renditions of country music’s greatest ballads. Lisa and her group, the ‘Platinum 5’, are regulars on the Tallahassee entertainment circuit and can be enjoyed weekly at the Silver Slipper Restaurant. Lisa is accompanied by keyboardist Jimmy Wells.


Lisa Watson		Jimmy Wells

joel and judy on stage Rounding out the parade of Stars on the Opry’s 7th Anniversary Show are the ever popular duo Joel and Judy Harrison! Joel and Judy are charter members of the original Southbound Band and performed on every show for the first 5 years. The Harrisons, known for their tight harmony on the classic Gospel songs, always delight Opry fans with their zest for singing and enthusiastic stage presence. (Pictured at left: Judy and Joel Harrison)

"Anniversary shows are always special to us", 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 and all at one place, the Sopchoppy Opry! This could very well be our best anniversary show ever. Don’t miss it!”

All this and Southbound Band, too with “Mr. Opry” Mac McWaters, Bob Sims, Buck Jones, Johnny Calloway, Reggie Bradley, Lamar Brock and B.C. Brown! Curtain time is 7 pm! The ticket office and concession opens at 5:30 p.m. day of the show! Call 962-3711 for tickets and information.

COMING ATTRACTIONS

August 25 – Monticello Jamboree Band
September 29 – Purvis Brothers

We will see You at the Opry July 28!

Story by Jesse Quigg, Opry Publicist (Volunteer)
Photos by Don Pace

This article originally published on July 12, 2007.

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