Appalfolks Of America’s Virginia Opry Raises $3,500 For Widow Of Fallen Covington Police Officer   Clifton Forge, VA (May 23, 2022) - The Virginia Opry, the Commonwealth of Virginia’s official Opry as of March 31, 2020, has raised $3,500 for Natasha Ogilvie, widow of fallen Covington police officer Caleb Ogilvie who died in the line of duty. Two of The Virginia Opry’s 10 bands performed “A Tribute To George Strait,” at the Jackson River Sports Complex’s River Rock Amphitheater Sat., May 21. The benefit concert featured Gentlemen South and Johnny King and Friends opening for the Brian Buchanan Band. The concert was held in conjunction with the City of Covington’s Parks and Recreation Department. The sound check was interrupted by lightning, and after the storm passed southeast of Covington without raining at the Jackson River Sports Complex. Bobby Smith, a soundman from Lexington who was driving to see the show said, “Between the Low Moor exit and Covington, it was like a cloud burst, and I could barely see to drive.” “The Tribute To George Strait” began on time at 6:00 p.m., but more lightning occurred at 8:50 p.m., and the show was cut short by seven minutes. Rob Slusser, a banjo player from Clifton Forge, was inducted into The Virginia Opry as its 53rd member, and Gentlemen South donated to the funds raised to make an even $500 that was donated the night of the show. Appalfolks of America received a $200,000 donation from a foundation based in North Carolina to perform a show at Lime Kiln Theater in honor of VMI’s Corps of Cadets’ Class of 2022 on April 30, and the cadet who was instrumental in securing the donation, had planned for $3,000 to go to the Ukraine Relief Fund. However, after he learned about the shooting that took place in March in Covington, he decided the $3,000 should go to Natasha Ogilvie.” Allen Dressler, director of the Department of Parks and Recreation, is a George Strait fan, and he was on hand to hear some of Strait’s hit songs performed by the Brian Buchanan Band that featured lead and bass guitars, horns and drums. The Virginia Opry is scheduled to perform at the River Rock Amphitheater again on Oct. 1. The Virginia Opry will showcase Keith Bryant, and Glen Shelton will emcee and join in to sing as well.

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