The Cast

Donna Meade is a former Mercury-Polygram recording artist and a member of Virginia’s Country Music Hall of Fame. A singer, musician and songwriter since age 14, Donna was a cast member of the 1973 revival of the Old Dominion Barn Dance.

In 1981 she moved to Nashville and soon began appearing on local and national TV, while headlining in the World Famous Stockyard’s Bullpen Lounge. In 1989, Donna landed a recording contract with Mercury-Polygram Records and was signed as a songwriter with the prestigious music publisher Sony/Tree. While appearing on The Nashville Now Show starring Ralph Emery, the rising star and New Female Vocalist of the Year nominee met her future husband Jimmy Dean. For over two decades they resided in Richmond, performing & writing songs together & traveling the world promoting Jimmy Dean Foods.

Since Dean’s passing in 2010, Donna is enjoying performing again as well as producing the Old Dominion Barn Dance. She is the writer of the Barn Dance theme, and her childhood sweetheart and husband of 8 years, Jayson Stevens, serves as production manager. Donna is proud to revive and preserve Virginia’s venerable country music show by presenting the best in traditional country and Bluegrass entertainment, and is honored to be serving as hostess!

Lynne Carnes has thrilled audiences with her beautiful and powerful voice since the 1980s. From her beginnings as a background singer with her brother Bobby, she ultimately became the lead vocalist of her family’s band and one of Richmond’s most talented and popular country music vocalists.

Lynne continues to perform in private venues in the Richmond, VA area, and the Old Dominion Barn Dance is proud to present her a member of its regular cast.

A native of Hampton, VA, Lee Blasingame is a multi-talented comedian, singer, voice over artist and master of ceremonies. He has been singing as long as he can remember, beginning with gospel groups touring churches in Virginia and the Outer Banks of North Carolina. As a comedian he was a member of the 1990’s cast of the Old Dominion Opry in Williamsburg, VA, where he portrayed numerous characters while also being a featured vocalist and emcee.

Lee’s professional credits also include performing at Busch Gardens and Nashville’s Opryland, where he appeared in the production of “Music, Music, Music” with country music legend Brenda Lee. As a voice over artist he has given voice to feature-length animated movies for the Christian Broadcast Network, and has appeared on TV’s The New Detectives and The Forensic Files. The Barn Dance is pleased to present such a talented fellow!

Featured vocalist Danny Menzies is a veteran of several of our area’s country bands, most notably the famed Menzies Family Band. With his mom Janet and sister Bobbie, he began performing at the age of 5, making his first appearance on stage at the legendary New Dominion Barn Dance in the late 1950s.
Danny’s rich traditional country roots were a huge influence on his music, and he enjoys singing the hits of legendary singers like Merle Haggard, Marty Robbins and Buck Owens. Danny always brings a classic song to life on the Barn Dance stage and we’re always proud to show him off!

As the youngest member of our cast, Daniel Menzies has always had a warm place in his heart for traditional country music. Exposed to it from birth by his dad and the area’s popular performing group The Menzies Family, hymns, Bluegrass and country songs have always been his favorites. 

The only child of the Barn Burners’ featured vocalist Danny Menzies, Daniel made his 1st stage appearance to rousing reviews when he opened for country legend Bill Anderson on the Barn Dance in 2016. He told his Dad he is blessed to sing with him and the Barn Burners and carry on the Menzies tradition, and all of us at the Barn Dance believe we have a rising star on our hands.

Michael Hockaday’s musical journey as a musician and vocalist began at age 15 as a member of his step-father’s band. During his more than 35 years’ experience he has worked with local groups in Central Virginia including Black Water and Hare Trigger, where he opened shows for Randy Travis, Keith Whitley, Clint Black, Jack Green, Stonewall Jackson and many others.

A resident of Ruther Glen, VA, Michael and his wife Patsy, also a talented vocalist, have gained a large following in recent years with their band Patsy and the Country Classics. As drummer and lead male vocalist Michael enjoys being a part of their traditional country band, playing and singing the music he loves most.

All of us at the Barn Dance are excited to present this dynamic performer, and look forward to his talents as our drummer and vocalist. Welcome Michael!

These ladies with roots in Appalachia, Virginia are true coal miner’s daughters. Deanna, Betty and Mary have been singing and playing music since they were young girls, heavily influenced by their mother and father who sang and played in their family’s band. And now the Mullins Sisters continue on with the family’s legacy, playing and singing with their own popular group around the Central Virginia area.

Deanna is an accomplished songwriter, singer and musician who plays piano and guitar, Betty is also an accomplished singer and musician who plays bass guitar, and Mary lends her amazing vocals to the group that rounds out the trio’s impeccable blend of harmonies.

These talented ladies, who are proud moms and grandmas as well as National award-winning recording artists, are a welcomed addition to our 2022 season. We know you will enjoy The Mullins Sisters!

Introducing our Cloggers! An American Folk Dance ensemble gathered specifically for the Old Dominion Barn Dance, whose cloggers have individually danced nationally and internationally. Independently they have achieved many clogging awards, and their combined talent has a reputation for American clog excellence. Most recently they took 1st place as champions of the 2018 North Carolina State Fair competition.

The team consists of leader and choreographer Shamus Riley, along with Leia Dotson, AnnMarie Knight, Liam Riley, Gary Sweezy, Jamie Lynn Robinson, Harrison Storms and Sarah Wollett-Poole. The Barn Dance is proud to present this exciting group of talented dancers!

RYLAND TINNELL – STEEL GUITAR
BOB LAWLER – RHYTHM GUITAR
AUDIE STANLEY – BASS GUITAR
MICHAEL HOCKADAY – DRUMS
DANNY BRIZENDINE- RELIEF DRUMMER
J. W. BELDEN – KEYBOARDS

The Barn Burners consist of some of Central Virginia’s most talented try Rockers. A member of our staff band since 2014, Ryland is the only steel guitarist ever inducted into Virginia’s Country Music Hall of Fame.

The word ‘dynamic’ describes our keyboard player, J.W. Belden, a multi-talented and much sought after musician who hails from a Grammy award-winning family. Also a member of our band since 2014, J.W. brings great energy to the stage with his amazing skills on piano, organ and strings.

Besides playing bass guitar for the Barn Burners, Audie Stanley is also a talented vocalist who sings bass for our Old Dominion Barn Dance Quartet. As a second generation Bam Dance performer, Audie’s father, Cotton Stanley, was a star on our show during the 1950 ‘s with his popular Bluegrass band. Audie is a former member of the Robbin Thompson Band and currently performs with the local group Honky Tonk Heroes.

Bob Lawler is an amazing multi-instrumentalist who adds great versatility to our band, playing rhythm and lead guitars, banjo, mandolin, fiddle, steel guitar and drums. A veteran of local bands, Bob is in much demand and plays regularly with several different groups in the area.

Drummer and featured vocalist Michael Hockaday (not pictured) hails from Ruther Glen, VA, and is the newest member of our band. He is also a veteran of local bands, and currently enjoys playing music with his talented wife Patsy and their popular group, Patsy and the Country Classics.

Our percussionist and relief drummer, Danny Brizendine, is a veteran of local bands as well as legendary country star Mel Street’s band. Danny enhances the sound of the Barn Burners on an occasional percussion instrument, and takes over on drums when Michael Hockaday is featured as vocalist.

All seven of these incredible musicians are hard-working and dedicated to bringing the best music possible to the Barn Dance, and we are proud to have such an amazing group as our staff band. With so many hot musicians, the Barn Burners are guaranteed to burn the house down!

Barn Dance Fiddler Diane Hossinger is known for her powerful and energetic fiddle playing.  Originally from Newport News, VA, and classically trained from the age of 9, she began performing country music in 2008 and hasn’t looked back.

Diane began her professional career performing at Busch Gardens and has since performed along the East Coast and in Bermuda.  She has spent the past several years entertaining audiences with her fiddle playing and background vocals in Richmond based band, Harley Boone.  Diane is the newest member of our cast and says she is honored to be a part of the Old Dominion Barn Dance.

Adam would say he has a face for radio – lol! You may not know his face, but his voice likely accompanied you along the Stress-Free Ride Home, afternoons on Richmond’s top ranked Lite 98 for 16 years, as a member of Country Radio station K95 for 4 years and as a guest personality on Jimmy Buffett’s Radio Margaritaville! 

In addition to his work as one of Richmond’s most popular on-air radio personalities, Adam also served as those station’s Promotions/Events/Marketing Director, hosting, promoting and fundraising for many local community organizations and national organizations including the American Heart Association, Susan G. Komen For The Cure, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and many more. 

Adam was honored with the Richmond Broadcasters Hall of Fame 2003 Broadcaster of the Year Award and Clear Channel Communications 2008 National Performance Excellence Award. Hard to believe, but Adam was a member of the RichmondInternational Folk Dance Club & Youth Dancers and 1st Flute in the Thomas H. Henderson Middle School Band in the 70’s! Celebrating music and artistic traditions is Adam’s true passion!!! 

He is currently a Marketing Specialist for the Comcast Corporation and Marketing/PR guy for The Beacon Theatre, and the Barn Dance is proud to have him on board as its 2019 host and emcee. Welcome Adam!