Little Nashville Opry

Little Nashville Opry – Located on State Road 46 in scenic Brown County, Little Nashville Opry was a hot spot for country music entertainment as well as bluegrass, Gospel, and contemporary Christian. Originally a sawmill and later used as a horse arena, the building housed a 2,000 seat auditorium, which opened on April 4, 1975, with performances by Cal Smith and Mickey Gilley. Later attractions include Friday Night Opry with the Little Nashville Express Band (often supplemented by a regional guest), talent contests, benefit shows, and a steady diet of nationally-known acts. Featured performers included Loretta Lynn, Tanya Tucker, Kenny Rogers, Conway Twitty, Alabama, Barbara Mandrell, Tom Jones, Jim Nabors, George Strait, Kenny Chesney, George Jones, Waylon Jennings, Merle Haggard, Steve Wariner, Brad Paisley, Jerry Reed, Connie Smith, Lee Greenwood, Ronnie Milsap, Trisha Yearwood, Randy Travis, Billy Ray Cyrus, Tammy Wynette, Roy Clark, Charley Pride, Rascal Flatts, Glen Campbell, Mel Tillis, Lee Ann Womack, Sylvia Hutton, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Johnny Cash, Travis Tritt, Charlie Rich, and Pat and Debbie Boone. In 2009, the venue burned to the ground, and owners James Bowyer and Esther Hamilton were suspected of arson. Although tried, Bowyer was not convicted of the crime.