Virginia’s Li’l Ole Opry
THE OPRY WELCOMES YOU TO OUR 49TH YEAR OF ENTERTAINMENT!!
Virginia’s Li’l Ole Opry is located in Mathews County on Virginia’s Middle Peninsula. The show ran from 1975 until 2015 at Donk’s Theater, which was originally built as a movie theater in 1946. Although that wonderful old building collapsed due to an ice storm in January 2016, the Opry NOW performs at the 750-seat, state-of-the-art “Harry M. Ward Auditorium” at Mathews High School.
The Opry offers great country music, old and new, mixed together with a little gospel, bluegrass, oldies and more! The House Band and Cast are truly some of the most talented folks around! It’s the BEST entertainment and longest running country music show this side of Nashville!
So, sit back and enjoy the wholesome family entertainment that is synonymous with Virginia’s Li’l Ole Opry! Thanks for supporting live, local entertainment and helping to keep this Virginia tradition alive and well for all generations! The Opry LOVES company!
Lynda Smith, President
This site, our shows, and all we continue to do in this business of music is dedicated to our founder and long time Master of Ceremonies and performer, James Wickham Smith, known to all as “Uncle Jimmy Wickham” or by some the “Rhinestone Plowboy”. Uncle Jimmy passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, March 21, 2019, at his home in Mathews, VA. Although he had been struggling with dementia for some time, he remained a smiling presence on stage and a large part of our show until his passing. He is remembered as a smart, gentle, talented man who was full of fun and laughter and always ready with a hug. We are forever grateful for his love of music, which inspired over 40 years of wholesome family entertainment at Donk’s Theater. He loved his Donk’s family as much as his large Smith family and our precious memories sustain us as we continue his work. We feel sure heaven is in stitches from his corny jokes and stories and he is singing with the angels on God’s stage!
James Wickham “Uncle Jimmy” Smith
September 16, 1937-March 21, 2019
