Midsouth Opry to open next week in Conway

An Arkansas native with a long career in all things country music is starting an opry in Conway. 

It will serve not only as a country and gospel music entertainment venue but also as a launching pad for aspiring artists.

Dixie Harrison of Rose Bud has established the Midsouth Opry, which is located on East Oak St.

Harrison ran the Arkansas Opry in Conway in the 1980s. Before that, she traveled the country singing in opries. Later she moved to Nashville where she met her husband, Jim “Moose” Sowards.

Over the past 30 years, Harrison has worked extensively in country music, artist career development and music publishing. She also had her own talent agency and joined her husband in his career in television production and music video production. 

“We’ve done stuff most people just dream about,” Harrison said.

When her son, Joshua Harrison, began working on his acting career, he asked his mother for help, Harrison said. He was raised in Searcy and is a graduate of Harding University, she said. She got him an agent, and Joshua has been in two films and is working on his song writing, she said. It was her son who suggested she start her talent agency again and help people in Arkansas who need help with their entertainment careers. 

“He’s the reason I started the Midsouth Opry,” she said. “I thought, Josh is right. …There are a lot of people who need guidance. When I was starting my career, there were not a lot of people who could help.”

She said when she was starting out, she did not want to sing in places where alcohol was served or in night clubs, and there were not many places like that. So she decided to open one. The Midsouth Opry is located at 1611 East Oak St., Suite 14. An open house will be Aug. 14. There will be no admission charge that night, and there will be free concessions, she said.

She said the opry has professional musicians, professional equipment, “the most wonderful stage west of Memphis” and seating for 300.

“We’re not just doing this for the country people. We’re doing this for the gospel people so the gospel people can come sing. We’re not competing with churches. On Friday and Saturday nights we’re going to have country and gospel music. It’s formatted after the Grand Ole Opry. We’ll have members that will be regular performers; then we will have special guests. On Sunday from 2 to 4 (p.m.) we’ll have the Midsouth Gospel Jubilee for gospel singers, groups, anyone who wants to sing.”

She said there will be no charge on Sunday and no “love offerings” will be taken.

“It’s for all gospel singers, whether experienced or new,” she said.

Victoria Schafer, formerly of Nashville, is the assistant manager of the Midsouth Opry. She is also a recording artist and formerly ran Libby’s Opry House in Daysville, Ky., she said.

Harrison said she plans to record live CDs from the stage and to expand to radio and/or television. She also wants to offer a songwriter night for people who write either songs or music. She is a licensed publisher, she said.

“We want to be a place that people can launch and develop their song writing ability,” she said. “I can take someone who’s never sang who wants to sing and help develop their natural talent.”

She said she also wants to help actors and actresses in the area to launch their careers, as she did with her son.

She added, “We’re always looking for new talent, new artists, musicians.”

The opry will hold live auditions. Those who are interested in being in the show may call for the schedule.

The Midsouth Opry may be reached at 327-OPRY (6779).

(Staff writer Rachel Parker Dickerson can be reached by e-mail at rachel.dickerson@thecabin.net or by phone at 505-1277. Send us your news at www.thecabin.net/submit)