Testimonials

Preston and I feel so honored to be an ODBD season ticket holder for 10 years. After each show, we say to each other “that was the best show ever.” Donna Meade Dean Stevens and Lynne Colacone are a dynamic pair who plan each and every detail of each show.

Starting out at The Henrico Theatre was great, but The Beacon Theatre in Hopewell is an extraordinary venue with lots of safe parking.

The ODBD of each show starts out with the gorgeous Donna Meade with her beautiful voice and her gowns are stunning. Then there are the Barn Burners; the Old Dominion Cloggers nationally known under the direction of Shamus Riley. And to greet us at our seats are Harry and Debbie Storm. Ryland Tinnell also known as the Man of Steel; the multitalented Lee Blasingame, Christy Thompson with the voice of an angel; Linnie Carnes with the most beautiful voice; Diane Hossinger is a phenomenal fiddle player; The Mullin Sisters are a wonderful trio; and then there is the talented singer who has appeared many times at the Grand Ole Opry Tony Jackson.

After a short intermission, get ready for the showstopper entertainers from the Grand Ole Opry such as Ronnie McDowell (he loves older women), Ricky Skaggs, Marty Stuart, Lorrie Morgan, Tanya Tucker, Rhonda Vincent, The Malpass Brothers, Whispering Bill Anderson, Gene Watson, Jeannie Seely and Moe Bandy just to name a few.

So sit back and enjoy the Best Country Music Show east of the Grand Ole Opry.

Y’all come back!!!

The Old Dominion Barn Dance, in one form or another, has been part of my life since the 1940s when Sunshine Sue and Johnny Workman were neighbors of mine. I was too young to realize how unusual and special it was to have country music played live on my grandfather’s front porch on Sunday afternoons. That’s when members of the original Barn Dance would gather and play bluegrass and other country songs of the day. Joe Maphis, Earl Scruggs, Mack Wiseman, Sue Workman and others would come by and practice their music and new songs for hours on end.

Sometime in the 1970s, as I recall, my wife, Florence, and I went with some friends to Toby’s Western Lounge on Forest Hill Avenue in Richmond. Sitting on a wooden stool, playing a guitar and singing, there was a young lady named Donna Meade. We had never seen or heard of her before but both of us were struck by the quality, range and control of her voice and her friendly personality. We both recall saying that she sang Patsy Cline’s songs better than Patsy Cline did.

Some years later, in the early 1990s, we became aware of a group in Williamsburg, the Old Dominion Opry, which was a country music and humor show with excellent instrumentalists and singers. We often drove went there from Richmond to listen to the classic country performances until that venue closed down in the late 1990s, changing its name to the Williamsburg Music Theater and moving to Norge, VA.

After that there was no country music in this area until 2015 when the present Old Dominion Barn Dance was created. Unbelievably, for my wife and me, one of the principal sparks behind the new and exciting Barn Dance was Donna Meade. With the new Barn Dance were a number of the musicians and vocalists from the Williamsburg Old Dominion Opry. They brought their experience, talents, skills and excitement to the present Barn Dance and have never looked back. We have been truly fortunate to have such a wonderful country music production here in central Virginia.

The quality of the present Barn Dance is excellent, being better than many Nashville productions we have seen. We like that the Barn Dance Staff brings in new local talent from the region while always showcasing outside talent from Nashville with top professional entertainers. We have really enjoyed shows by Jimmy Fortune, Tony Jackson, Pam Tillis, Bill Anderson, Ricky Skaggs, Crystal Gayle, Rhonda Vincent, Gene Watson and many more. We love the variety of your entertainment.

We find that your shows are always fast moving and exciting. The current Barn Burners Band is second to none with a wide array of instruments and professional musicians. The Beacon Theater is an excellent venue for your shows with great acoustics throughout the entire theater.

We thank you for your dedication to keeping classic country music alive and well and hope you will keep up the great work for many years to come.

Brian and Florence Berger
Henrico, VA

Dear Donna and Lynne:

Growing up, the Beacon Theater was a place that my siblings and friends went to for movies and special events. Attending the Old Dominion Barn Dance shows have brought back the fun and many memories of my younger years.

I didn’t grow up listening to Country Music. Seeing the local talent that comprises the ODBD has created a new love of this genre. What is so amazing to me is the wealth of new local talent that is showcased every performance! Each ODBD show is like a history lesson on music. I eagerly await each new show, knowing that I will not only have a good time, but also come away with learning something new about Country Music.

Anna Buffo Noland
ODBD Fan

“February 21, 2015 is an important day in the history of country music. An old friend reappeared! After years of silence the Old Dominion Barn Dance is back, and in a mighty way. Me and the Fabulous Superlatives considered it an honor to be a part of the grand re-opening of this treasured country music institution.

My love and congratulations to Donna and all of the Old Dominion staff on an absolutely marvelous day. Long live the Old Dominion Barn Dance’ –

Marty Stuart

“I have to applaud Donna Meade for keeping traditional country music alive in the great state of Virginia.  She’s an old friend and fellow artist form Nashville and when I heard she was turning the lights back on the Old Dominion Barn Dance, I just had to raise my hand to come and play.  And boy am I glad she was so kind to host the John Anderson Band in Richmond. I know Jimmy’s proud and rightly so, because Donna understands what were all trying to do out here and I hope everyone supports her.” 

John Anderson

“I was blown away by the reception that Donna Meade [Donna Meade Dean-Stevens] gave me at the Old Dominion Barn Dance.  The band and I had a blast and enjoyed both audiences being part of the action.  The Henrico Theatre was wonderful and the whole presentation of the show was first class all the way.  I know Donna cares about the Barn Dance and country music and hope she’ll have The Ronnie McDowell Show back again real soon.  Thank you old friend.”

Ronnie McDowell testimonial for the Old Dominion Barn Dance Richmond, VA 2015

I want to thank you for making it possible for CrossRidge residents to have the opportunity to attend the Old Dominion Barn Dance show week before last. I have not talked to anyone who attended, but I am sure they enjoyed the show as much as we did. So, I offer the following testimonial.

“My husband and I attended the Old Dominion Barn Dance performance on March 13, 2021, and were not disappointed. We are country-music fans and have missed, what we refer to as “real country music”. We saw and heard the authentic country music at this performance. We were very pleased at the talent of local singers, cloggers, and chuckled at the corny jokes associated with country. The time flew as we sang, laughed and tapped our feet to the various segments of the show. A very memorable afternoon.”

Gentry and Valerie Bell
CrossRidge Residential Community – Glen Allen

I wanted to take the time to thank you all for a wonderful day at the Beacon. My Mother loves Country music, at 85 years old, and being in the house for a year(Covid) she needed an outing. I have to be honest, I was never a fan of Country music. However, I was so impressed by the show !! The music, the talent and the dancers were amazing. Thank you all for a beautiful day and a memory that I will always cherish

Pennie Wagner