Little Opry
The Roots of Bluegrass
Gainesboro Tennessee is the home of the Little Opry. For over sixty years Bluegrass music has grown and blossomed in this little middle Tennessee town. The Little Opry is more than an informal gathering of musicians. It is the heart and soul of Tennessee music. There is no large concert stadium or even tickets sold. Come early and get the best seat in the Fox Elementary School Cafeteria. See you there!
Little Opry Band
The Heart and Soul
The Little Opry Band is not a “band” in the classic sense. Every Tuesday evening at Richardson’s Insurance Office in Gainesboro the band members walk through the door. Every age and skill level picks up an instrument there is a different mix each week.. Many Nashville professionals started in the Little Opry Band. Tuesday night brings everybody together, professional and novice alike. The night of the Little Opry unites the musicians on stage. Bluegrass groups from all over Tennessee find their way to the stage. The group “Browngrass” is another generation of Jackson County bluegrass artists. Their latest album is featured in the Samples section.
Bluegrass History
A Middle Tennessee Story
The 1920s and 30s were growth years for bluegrass. Jackson County and the town of Sugar Creek had more than its share of bluegrass talent. Frazier Moss, Otha Spivey and Therold Richardson were at the heart. Therold would walk down to the river at night. He then got in a canoe and paddle across. He walked to Otha Spivey’s house and took guitar lessons. The guitar was special. He earned it selling small packets of seed. Frazier, Otha and Therold got together and began to perform in the area. One name for the band included Cluster Plucker. Frazier Moss continued his award winning career until his death in 1998. Therold Richardson, known as the Singing Mayor, is the host of the Tuesday night Little Opry Band practise and is the Master of Ceramonies at the Little Opry.
