|
Department of Tourism
James Monroe's Music Hall Set to Open in April
FRANKLIN, Ky. -- Eight veteran stars of the Grand Ole Opry, one member of the Country Music Hall of Fame, and over 25 other top names from bluegrass and country music are among the artists scheduled to appear during the first season at James Monroe’s Music Hall and Campground in Franklin, Ky.
The music hall is scheduled to open in mid-April, near I-65 two miles north of the Tennessee state line. Musical variety shows are planned every Friday and Saturday night through December. Nashville headliners are scheduled to appear on the third weekend of each month.
Owner James Monroe, son of the legendary “Father of Bluegrass” Bill Monroe, plans to inaugurate his 700-seat auditorium with a four-day bluegrass music festival April 19-22. Famous names on the bill include Monroe, Bobby Osborne, Mac Wiseman, Ronnie Stoneman and Larry Sparks; 15 acts will appear in all.
Country music will be showcased on May 20 with concerts by Grand Ole Opry members Jack Greene and Jimmy C. Newman.
Country and bluegrass artists are set to share the stage in June with performances by Opry stars Mel McDaniel and Jean Shepard on June 16 and John Anderson and Opry member Jesse McReynolds on June 17. James Monroe will also be on the bill for both shows.
Hall of Fame inductee Ray Price, a legend in country music, is scheduled for a concert in Franklin on July 15. More vintage country is on tap for the third weekend in August with shows by Gene Watson, Leona Williams and James Monroe on August 18 and by Vern Gosdin, Dianne Sherrill and James Monroe on August 19.
September 14-16 the music hall will host the Bill Monroe Memorial Birthday Celebration. Joining James Monroe and his son Jim Monroe to celebrate the 95th anniversary of their father and grandfather’s birth will be Grand Ole Opry members Bobby Osborne and Billy Walker, country and folk music recording artist Bobby Bare, and bluegrass musicians Tim Graves and David Davis.
The headliner for October is Earl Thomas Conley, who has had 17 number one hits during his 30-year recording career. Conley’s concert in Franklin is set for October 21. Another country chart-topper, Kentucky Music Hall of Fame inductee John Conlee, will perform at Monroe’s Music Hall on November 18.
The first season will end with a special benefit Christmas concert for children’s charities on December 9. For more information, call James Monroe’s Bluegrass Music Hall and Campground at 270-586-7100 or log on www.jamesmonroesbluegrassmusichall.com.
###
The Kentucky Department of Tourism, an agency of the Kentucky Commerce Cabinet, exists to promote The Commonwealth as a travel destination, generate revenue and create jobs for Kentucky’s economy.
|