How It Started…
Her name was Zella, but everyone called her Zellie. She was the daughter of the mountains, where the Crooked Road Heritage Music Trail wound through her hometown of Coeburn, Virginia, home to coal miners, railroads, the Jefferson National Forest, and music. She was related to the McReynolds clan, which produced Grand Ole Opry members and pioneering bluegrass duo Jim & Jessie during the early 50’s. She was of time when small town music jamborees filled the air with her favorite music–bluegrass. She died in 1950 and she never met the granddaughter to whom she passed on that love of southern culture and music. The granddaughter who, through the years, heard the stories shared, listened to the music, and remembered.
Move forward to 2008 and take that granddaughter with a dream and southern roots, add her husband, the guy with a vision and “can fix anything” attitude, toss in an old church building from the 1800’s, and you’ve got the makings of Zellie’s Opry House.
On September 29, 2008, Keith and Terri Grannis purchased an old church, which was earmarked for demolition to make way for a parking lot. After three 30-yd. dumpsters were filled and hauled away, it was time for the renovation process. For the next three months, Keith and Terri repaired, painted, added a handicap ramp, added a main floor restroom for accessibility, installed a new furnace and air conditioner, added electrical upgrades, rebuilt floors, refurbished wooden pews, and spent 14-16 hour days doing the majority of the work themselves. Yes, there were a few outside contractors (HVAC, electricians, carpet installers, etc.); however, Keith and Terri were insistent on using local contractors, many of whom were Keith’s former basketball players. This was going to be a family business and those basketball players were like family. During the renovation process, Keith continually questioned Terri regarding a name for the business…and she would just smile.
It all came together and on December 5, 2008, Zellie’s Opry House swung open the doors, flipped on the microphones, turned up the stage lights, and music rang through the rafters. And somewhere from the heavens, Grandma Zellie was smiling.
The Story Continues…
Over the next ten years, Zellie’s Opry House delighted audiences with the best regional talent in bluegrass, country, gospel, and folk. Zellie’s hosted award-winning songwriters, musicians at the top of their game (with the hardware to prove it), and singers heard regularly on the radio airwaves. Concerts, jams, gospel sings…it was all there.
The highlight of every year remained the annual “Old Fashioned Opry Show,” which took the audience back to the 1950’s during the heyday of the Grand Ole Opry. “Miss Minnie” (aka Zellie’s Granddaughter) emceed and talented singers and musicians joined in as the official Old Fashioned Opry Show Cast. Decked out in the fashion finery of the 50’s/60’s– they not only looked the part, but audiences were also swept into a musical memory joyride.
Fast forward to 2018 when Keith and Terri were approached by a gentleman wanting to purchase the 150+ year old building for another purpose other than music. After much deliberation, Keith and Terri muted the sound, dimmed the stage lights, and closed the door on this chapter of our musical journey.
And Now…
For the past ten years, in addition to her Zellie’s duties, Terri had been emceeing at several midwest music festivals, private corporate events, pageants, etc. In 2017, Terri was invited to become the publicist for the Edgar Loudermilk Band.
After the sale of their “brick & mortar” establishment, Keith and Terri became much more involved in the production, promotion, and support of area festivals, including those produced by Edgar Loudermilk. Thus, the birth of Zellie’s Opry House Productions & Promotions.
Today, the scope of responsibility, along with the inclusion of additional festivals throughout the southeast, has expanded. Keith and Terri, offer their background in producing and promoting bluegrass events, Terri frequently emcees the events, and Keith’s background in Emergency Medical Services has come in handy on more than one occasion.
We invite you to take a look at the events Zellie’s Opry House Productions & Promotions is proud to represent. Come on along and “chase the music” with Zellie’s Opry House Productions & Promotion!
