Attractions
The Texas Opry: THEATER’S STAR IS SHINING BRIGHT OVER NORTH TEXAS
Over the past 22 years the “Opry’s” in North Texas as well as all over Texas have come and gone according to economic factors of their times. In 1992 when Jerry and Marilyn Carter first opened the Texas Opry Theater in Weatherford as a standard “Opry Show” every Saturday night the ticket prices were $8 each and the entertainment was aspiring singers of all ages. The musicians in the band would back up each artist on 2 songs each and the two hour show would consist of sometime 10 different singers.
Marilyn Carter remembers the show bringing in as many as 475 patrons to sit and listen to the local and regional amateurs sing their cover songs. The Opry circuit in North Texas consisted of as many as 10-12 theaters such as The Texas Opry (sometimes known as “The Weatherford Opry”), The Grapevine Opry, Cross Timbers Opry, The Burleson Jamboree, Johnny High’s Country Music Revue, The Mesquite Opry and many others in small towns across Texas. Over the years all but a few have closed their doors as cost increased and the patronage aged beyond their abilities to attend a show every Saturday night.
At this time the only ones remaining are The Texas Opry Theater in Weatherford and The Grapevine Opry. The matriarch of the Opry business was Johnny High in Arlington but he passed away in 2011, and the new owner of the building and the business is taking the show a different direction as is The Texas Opry and The Grapevine Opry.
The original Texas Opry Show ran weekly from 1992 to 1995 then re-opened in 2002 with a monthly Live Music show featuring name entertainment from Nashville and Branson. Entertainers such as Ray Price, Don Williams, Connie Smith, Gene Watson, Hank Thompson, Moe Bandy, John Conlee, Whisperin’ Bill Anderson and many, many more entertained on its stage. To read more pick up the May 2014 issue of North Texas Farm & Ranch.
By Donna Long
If you are hankerin’ for home cooking just like grandma used to make with fresh ingredients, then look no further than Dixie House Cafe with locations in Fort Worth, Saginaw, and Euless. Dixie House, which was originally named Theresa’s Cafe after its owner, opened its first restaurant in 1983.
In the early days, it was just Theresa and one employee that ran the cafe. Between the two of them, they created mouth-watering meals from scratch using tried and true recipes. Dixie House is where the nostalgic vibe of a 60’s diner meets the charm of Southern hospitality and cooking. The portions are substantial, and the flavor is reminiscent of a time when meals were slow-cooked with families gathered in the kitchen and not hurriedly microwaved.
To read more, pick up a copy of the March issue of NTFR Magazine. To subscribe call 940-872-5922.
I’ve recently discovered a very special place here in North Texas that combines good food, good people and on occasion, good music. Lovejoy’s On Main in Whitesboro is an elegant boutique, café and old time soda fountain all rolled into to one convenient location.
Not only is there great shopping, but when you walk in you can’t miss the wonderful aroma of real home cooking. The kind your momma used to make. Best of all, the homemade desserts are simply out of this world.
To read more, pick up a copy of the March issue of NTFR Magazine. To subscribe call 940-872-5922.
On the weekend of April 28-30, 2023 Saint Jo will – for the 6th year – host The Real West Symposium which explores what the West was actually like in the 1800’s. Saint Jo is an authentic 1850 vintage cow town located right on the storied Chisholm Trail. With a tree covered town square and authentic 1800’s store fronts, it is the perfect place for Western History to come to life.
This year’s noted speakers include: Michael Grauer, Director of the Cowboy Hall of Fame; Dr. Jody Ginn, Director of the Texas Rangers Museum/Foundation; Dr. Richard McCaslin of the University of North Texas; Dr. Byron Price, retired Director of the Charles M. Russell Center for the Study of the American West; Art T. Burton, authority on Bass Reeves – accompanied by Ernest Marsh, a Bass Reeves re-enactor; and Michael Martin Murphey, recording artist and authority on the music of the Old West.
Friday night the 28th there will be a Patrons Dinner in the Windmill Grill & Saloon; period attire is encouraged.
Saturday the 29th will begin at 8:30 with presentations in the Saint Jo Theater. Lunch will be provided in the Lazy Heart Grill. From 4.00-6.00pm there will be a wine reception and book signing at Davis & Blevins Gallery.
Two area concerts later in the evening on the 29th include Michael Martin Murphey will perform at Blue Ostrich Winery and an area favorite, Shinyribs will perform at Red River Station in Saint Jo. For tickets to these events please see their websites at: www.BlueOstrich.net or www.RedRiverStation.com.
An authentic chuck-wagon breakfast on the actual Chisholm Trail rounds out the weekend on Sunday morning the 30th.
Individual tickets for all events are available on our website. There are also sponsorships available for $500, $1,000, $1,500 which include multiple tickets, meals, and concert performances as well as visibility on all event promotional materials.
For additional information, visit our website www.TheRealWest.org, or call 940-995-2786
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