Crossing County Lines, Appalachian Pickers Featured In Upcoming Show   Clifton Forge, VA (Nov. 29, 2017) - Crossing Country Lines and Appalachian Pickers, two bluegrass and old timey music bands, will perform as guests on The Virginia Opry’s “Country Christmas Show” at the Historic Masonic Theatre on Sat., Dec. 2, at 7:00 p.m. Appalfolks of America Association held an audition for musicians and vocalists ages 10 to 20 in Sept. at the Historic Masonic Theatre, and the New “Old School” Junior Virginia Opry was formed following the audition. Crossing County Lines, the “A Band,” is made up of four young men of high school age. Appalachian Pickers, the “B Band,” is composed of five musicians and vocalists who are in grades four through eight. Kaeli Berry, the only female member of the group, plays guitar and ukulele. William Webb, Nathan Fender and Eli Whitley are guitarists, and Justin Broughman plays the mandolin in addition to the guitar. Crossing County Lines features Michael Burnette on banjo, guitar, and autoharp. Burnette, a vocalist, is skillful at flatfooting too. Jacob Holdren performs as a vocalist and plays guitar as does Isaac Blake. Eli Phillips is the band’s fiddler, and he plays the mandolin and bass as well. Crossing County Lines made its debut at the Historic Masonic Theatre on Nov. 4 during an Appalfolks’ production, “Bluegrass Meets Gospel.” Charlotte Ivy serves as the director of the New “Old School” Junior Virginia Opry, and she performs as a vocalist and guitarist for The Virginia Opry. Named in honor of the late Michael “Old School” McKinney, the New “Old School” Junior Virginia Opry is Appalfolks’ newest outreach program, the oldest being The Virginia Opry that made its debut at the theatre in 1992. Ray Allen, executive director of The Virginia Opry, said, “Old School” is the nickname Mike went by, and I know that he would be proud of the young people who have both of these bands off to a great start.” Tickets for The Virginia Opry’s “Country Christmas Show” are $10 when purchased in advance and $12 the day of the show. Box seats are $25. The box office number is (540) 862-5655, and tickets may be purchased online at www.historicmasonictheatre.com.

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