The Cast

Donna Meade is a former Mercury-Polygram recording artist and a member of the Virginia Country Music Hall of Fame. Born in Chase City, VA and raised in Richmond, Donna was a cast member of the 1973 revival of the Old Dominion Barn Dance.

In 1989 she met her future husband Jimmy Dean while appearing on TV’s Nashville Now Show, where they were introduced by Jimmy’s old friend and show host Ralph Emery. For over two decades Jimmy & Donna resided in Richmond, performing and writing songs together, as well as traveling the world promoting Jimmy Dean Sausage. Since Dean’s passing in 2010 Donna is enjoying performing again, along with producing the Old Dominion Barn Dance and co-producing & managing country music star Tony Jackson.

These days Donna enjoys staying close to home with her four miniature poodles, Lily, Ruby, Sophie & Lacey, and for the past six years has been married to her childhood sweetheart, Jayson Stevens. As featured vocalist and writer of the show’s theme song, Donna feels blessed to be able to share her God given talents with her Barn Dance audiences, and is proud 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!

Mike Toney is one of our area’s most talented and popular singers and musicians. A champion guitarist who has traveled the nation with his own band, Mike also began his musical journey as a singer at the tender age of 5, and as a lead guitarist at age 9. 

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.

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 Sweeny, Jamie Ballance- Robertson, Harrison Storms, Sarah Wollett-Poole and Forbes Lowe. The Barn Dance is proud to present this exciting group of talented dancers!

(Right to left)

DANNY MENZIES – VOCALS & RHYTHM GUITAR
RYLAND TINNELL – STEEL GUITAR/MUSIC DIRECTOR
J. W. BELDEN – KEYBOARDS
MIKE TONEY – LEAD GUITAR & VOCALS
TOD ELLSWORTH – BASS GUITAR
MIKE GALLAGHER – DRUMS 

The Barn Burners consist of some of Central Virginia’s most talented musicians. A former member of Mechanicsville’s famed Menzies Family Band, Danny Menzies is featured vocalist and plays rhythm guitar. Richmond’s legendary steel guitarist, veteran musician Ryland Tinnell, is band director for the Barn Burners, while multi-talented Mike Toney plays lead guitar and is a featured vocalist. 

Adding versatility to our sound is J.W. Belden on keyboards, another multi-talented musician who hails from a Grammy Award winning family.

Talented drummer Mike Gallagher is the newest member of the Barn Burners and a veteran of many of the area’s bands, most recently En’Ovation. And rounding out the sound of the band playing the bass guitar is our full-time music teacher, the amazing Tod Ellsworth.

Together these guys are hard-working and dedicated to bringing the best music possible to the Barn Dance, and we’re proud to have such a talented group as our staff band. With so many hot musicians, Danny & the Barn Burners are sure 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!