'Old School' Virginia Opry At Masonic Theatre, Feb. 17   Clifton Forge, VA (Feb. 9, 2018) - The Appalachian Pickers and Crossing County Lines, two youth bands that form the New “Old School” Junior Virginia Opry, will open the 2018 performance season in the Historic Masonic Theatre’s Underground CafĂ©, Sat., Feb. 17, at 6:15 p.m. The Junior Virginia Opry will open for The Virginia Opry that will take the main stage in the John E. Hillert Auditorium at 7:00 p.m. with special guest performers Keith Bryant, Mike Carter and Santana Hope and the Sidewalkers sharing the stage with The Virginia Opry’s band and vocalists. Theatre doors will open at 6:00 p.m. for the show, and ticket holders will be entertained in the Underground CafĂ© while waiting for the curtain to open on the main stage. The Appalachian Pickers will feature Kaeli Berry, Justin Broughman, Nathan Fender, Eli Whitley and William Webb, entertainers ages ten to 14. Crossing County Lines is composed of Isaac Blake, Jacob Holdren and Eli Phillips, ages 15-17, performing with special guest Tanner Lack. Appalfolks of America Association held auditions for Appalachian youth in September of 2017, and the two bands were created. Both bands began performing traditional bluegrass and old-time music, including an opening performance for The Virginia Opry on December 2, 2017. On Sat., March 24 at the Clifton Forge School of the Arts, both bands will join Steve Kaufman, three-time world champion flatpicking guitarist, to perform on stage during his concert at 8:00 p.m. Future performances include an opening for Denise Glass and her band that will perform a “Tribute to Patsy Cline” at The Virginia Opry on Sat., April 14, at 8:00 p.m. in the Historic Masonic Theatre. Additional performances have been scheduled for the two bands throughout the year. Tickets to The Virginia Opry’s “Sweetheart Show” on Sat., Feb. 17, can be purchased by calling the box office at (540) 862-5655. Tickets are $10 in advance and $12 at the door.

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