Oprey to present 25th anniversary show

Submitted The Little O’ Oprey band provides both instrumental and vocal backing for musicians coming to perform at weekly shows, which start at 7 p.m. every Saturday. From left are Jimmy Ritchie, keyboard and vocals; Tommy Kemp, lead guitar and vocals; Larry Poole, drums; Bill Goff, bass guitar and vocals; and Jerry Roller, steel guitar and dobro.
Submitted The Little O’ Oprey band provides both instrumental and vocal backing for musicians coming to perform at weekly shows, which start at 7 p.m. every Saturday. From left are Jimmy Ritchie, keyboard and vocals; Tommy Kemp, lead guitar and vocals; Larry Poole, drums; Bill Goff, bass guitar and vocals; and Jerry Roller, steel guitar and dobro.

WEST FORK -- The Little O' Oprey, located at the corner of Main and Campbell in West Fork, will be celebrating 25 years with a special show Oct. 11.

The oprey had its first show Oct. 13, 1989, and has been continuing weekly ever since. While it was established primarily to promote country music and fellowship with the community, gospel, bluegrass, and 1950s rock 'n' roll are also played.

Young people and adults alike are given an opportunity to perform their favorite style of music in a family atmosphere free of alcohol and tobacco.

A band not only backs up the performers, but its members also mentor performers in a live-band setting. Bill Goff, a bass guitarist from Bella Vista, has been playing with the band since 1992. Jerry Roller Sr. of Van Buren, on steel guitar and dobro, has been a part of the band since 1991. Tommy Kemp from Muldrow, Okla., joined the band, playing lead guitar, in 2008. Larry Poole of Wesley, Ark., has been the band's drummer since 1996. Jim Ritchey of Rogers joined in September 2007, when he started playing keyboard full time.

There are usually several guest performers each week, playing live and unrehearsed.

The band has been an encouragement in the early careers of people like Joe Nichols, a current Nashville musician, who sang at the Little O' Oprey in his high school years, according to a news release from the organization. Another current Nashville musician is Jenee Keener Fleenor, who began playing fiddle at the oprey when just a little girl. She has played fiddle for several top Nashville performers.

Not only is the band committed to being at the Little O' Oprey every Saturday night, but a nucleus of the audience can be found there for their social event of the week. People come from all over Arkansas and Oklahoma to perform and visit.

Show time is 7 p.m. A full snack bar is on site

Admission is $7 for seniors and $9 for adults. Group discounts are available.

Check out the website -- www.littleoprey.org -- for more information and to see the weekly schedule.

Community on 10/08/2014