The Sopchoppy Opry will make it two (debuts) in a row on June 26-7 pm on the historic Sopchoppy High School Auditorium stage!

  Last month Country Connection played the Opry for the first time and now here comes the Country Rocks Band!  Tickets are going fast as the word spreads that the Rocks are playing the Opry, so call today, 850-962-3711 and reserve your seats!

The Country Rocks Band was established in the late 1960’s with original members Billy Dean (the father of country music star Harold ‘Billy’ Dean), Ralph Jackson, James Ray, Bill Parks and James Abbot.  Shortly after the band was formed it started playing at the Quincy (Florida) American Legion Home, a gig that lasted until the mid-1990’s spanning over 27 years!

Although the band played continuously for all those years, there were changes in players but never a change in the fantastic Country Rocks sound!  Reggie Bradley replaced James Abbott on bass guitar in the Spring of 1969; Arnold Jones joined the band as full time drummer in the Fall of ’69 to fill-in for Bill Parks while he was away doing his National Guard duty.  When Bill Parks returned, he became the band’s M.C.  Harold Dean, known today as Billy Dean had a brief stint with the Rocks around 1980 before going off to college.  He had made many guest appearances with the group over the years starting at the age of 11.  In 1983, Billy Dean Senior passed away.  John Jackson, Ralph’s son, joined the group on keyboards in the late ‘80’s.  After the American Legion gig ended, members went their separate ways, getting together occasionally just for fun.  In June 2000, Ralph Jackson passed away.

Now the Country Rocks represent two (2) generations of great musicians!  Guitarist Berry Bradley (son of Reggie) and vocalist Pat Ray (wife of James) will join Reggie Bradley, Arnold Jones, John Jackson and James Ray for this Country Rocks  special Sopchoppy Opry reunion show!

Folks, what a night this is going to be!  Our own South Bound Band will have a brand new show just for you with ‘Mr. Country’ Johnny Calloway as the on stage host!  Then it’s Country Rocks time!  Fans will be talking about this one for years to come!  Call 850-962-3711 for tickets now!  Tickets, $8 can be reserved and picked-up at the door on the show date.  Box office and concessions open at 5:30 pm.

Opry fans circle Saturday, July 17 on your entertainment calendar!  An ‘extra’ Sopchoppy Opry has been scheduled!  The beautiful and talented Margo Anderson will present a musical tribute to the legendary Patsy Cline with Col. Wayne Martin & Country Gold providing the musical accompaniment!  Tickets are $10 and on sale now.  Call 850-962-3711.  For more information go to www.margoanderson.com.

Coming attractions:  10th Anniversary Show/Messer Brothers Band-July 31; Blue Shades of Grass-August 28; Purvis Brothers-September 25; Jay & Shannon-October 30; Hoot Gibson & Friends-November 27.

Fans the Opry just keeps getting better!  Thank you for supporting family friendly entertainment and helping us keep country, gospel & bluegrass music alive in our area!

We look forward to seeing you at
Sopchoppy Opry, Saturday, June 26-7 pm
in historic Sopchoppy High School Auditorium!

Story & Pictures by:  Reggie Bradley, The Country Rocks Band
Editor:  Jesse Quigg, Opry Publicist (volunteer)

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