The Oklahoma Opry just turned 49 and is gearing up to have its best year yet! With construction already underway for its permanent home on the Bricktown Canal, the Opry is currently performing weekly next door at ACM@UCO, providing family-friendly entertainment full of both recognizable and original music.
The Opry Heritage Foundation of Oklahoma is a non-profit founded in 1977 by Granville “Grant” Leftwich with the mission of transforming lives through music. Leftwich originally hosted shows in his backyard but quickly outgrew this space as word of the weekly performances spread. Since that time, the Opry has brought in thousands of audience members, hosting hundreds of musicians on stage. The Opry Heritage Foundation has also expanded to become an instrumental part of music throughout Oklahoma, with exceptional examples of community outreach.
One of these initiatives is the Granville Community Music School, which provides private music lessons to kids ages 9-18 from low-income families for just 50 cents a visit. Named after the Opry’s founder, the Granville Community Music School is open to students who qualify for the free/reduced lunch program, providing instruction in all instruments as well as voice. It has also partnered with Positive Tomorrows, providing group music classes for homeless children as well as students recovering from substance addiction through Mission Academy High School.
Another incredible program hosted by The Opry Heritage Foundation is Strings of Valor, which offers free guitar lessons to veterans. As many of Oklahoma’s veterans struggle with service-related injuries, PTSD and other mental health challenges, Strings of Valor provides a meaningful role in their recovery and provides connection, healing and emotional support. Once a vet has completed 10 lessons, they will receive a brand-new guitar and related accessories so they can incorporate music into their daily lives.
But what the foundation is best known for is the weekly Oklahoma Opry Saturday Night Show, featuring both local stars and talented new performers. Many successful musicians have graced the stage of the Oklahoma Opry including Cody Canada, Kaitlyn Butts and Darcy Lynn. Each performance features a live house band complete with background vocalists, with a carefully curated group of singers. Audiences will hear music that covers all genres and decades of country-western, bluegrass and folk music, from slow, heartfelt ballads to upbeat pop songs that will make you want to dance in your seat. Many talented musicians even make their on-stage debut at the Oklahoma Opry, as it is known for being a supportive environment for singers of all ages.
Executive Director Cindy Scarberry said,
“Even if someone thinks they don’t like country music, they should come out for a show. We have such a variety of singers, and we think there’s something for everybody; no matter what your age is, what music you think you like, you’re going to have a great time. You’re going to laugh. The quality of music is unbeatable. Our musicians are the best of the best.”
Tickets for the Oklahoma Opry Saturday Night Show are just $20, with discounts available for veterans and groups, and can be purchased through the website okopry.org. These performances often sell out, and seating is provided on a first-come, first-served basis. So, grab some friends and head down to Bricktown to see why the Oklahoma Opry has been named Oklahoma’s Official Country Music Show.
