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Opry To Serve Up Fresh Talent

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By DAVE NICHOLSON

dnicholson@tampatrib.com

Published: March 18, 2009

PLANT CITY - A bluegrass band will be the headline act as the Florida Opry takes the stage March 28.

The Foothill Bluegrass Band will be making its first appearance at the opry, a variety show that loosely is modeled after Nashville's Grand Ole Opry. Bluegrass has been a big hit at the shows, said Randy Dallman, promoter of the oprys.

"We're finding out here in Plant City it's pretty big," he said.

The Florida Opry shows include country music, humor and gospel at the 1914 Plant City High School Community Center, 605 N. Collins St.

Other acts at the March 28 show include:

•Kris Pierce, a Christian gospel artist from Nashville. Dallman said he recently met Pierce at the Florida Strawberry Festival and has been impressed with his music. This will be his first Opry appearance.

•Ronda Kelly, a country singer who graduated from Gaither High School in 2008. This is her first appearance at the Opry, said Dallman, who added, "we're giving her her first 15 minutes of fame."

•Gospel Truth Quartet, a group that makes frequent church appearances and is a veteran of the Opry stage.

•Tina Dallman, a country singer and Randy Dallman's daughter. She's also appeared at many Opry shows and is a pre-med student at the University of South Florida.

This is the next-to-last show of the season for the Opry; the final one is April 11.

Retired pharmacist Myrle Henry founded the Opry in 1998 and operated the shows until 2007. After a year's hiatus, Dallman took over the concert series.
Dallman said he is beginning to turn his attention to the 2009-10 Opry and plans a show featuring Grand Ole Opry member Jean Shepard.

"We're already starting to line up talent for next year," he said.

IF YOU GO

WHAT: Florida Opry

WHEN: 7 to 11 p.m. March 28

WHERE: 1914 Plant City High School Community Center, 605 N. Collins St.

FEATURED ACTS: Foothill Bluegrass Band, Ronda Kelly, Kris Pierce, Tina Dallman and Gospel Truth Quartet

COST: $12 general admission, $15 for reserved seats

INFORMATION: (813) 659-1849

Reporter Dave Nicholson can be reached at (813) 865-4432.

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