The Woodbine Opry Celebrates 25 Years of Music

Bluegrass and country music venue in small Georgia town draws loyal following

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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The Woodbine Opry, a beloved music venue in Woodbine, Georgia, is celebrating its 25th anniversary. The Opry, housed in an old school building, features bluegrass, old country, and gospel music on Friday nights, and country dance music on Saturdays. Founders Hoydt Drury and Jack Bethune continue to host the shows, with the Bethune family providing warm Southern hospitality to attendees from near and far.

Why it matters

The Woodbine Opry has become a cherished institution in the small town of Woodbine, Georgia, providing a gathering place for the local community and drawing music fans from across the region. Its longevity in an era of declining small-town venues is a testament to the power of grassroots, community-driven entertainment.

The details

The Woodbine Opry is housed in the 'Old School' building, which a renovation committee maintains through the sale of 50/50 and 'goody table' tickets at the shows. The Friday night acoustic shows feature bluegrass, old country, and gospel music, while Saturday nights are dedicated to country dance music. Two of the Opry's founders, Hoydt Drury and Jack Bethune, continue to host the Friday night shows, with Jack's grandson, Jackson Bethune, providing sound engineering support for the venue and other festivals in the Southeast.

  • The Woodbine Opry recently celebrated its 25th anniversary.
  • The venue has been hosting Friday and Saturday night shows for the past 25 years.

The players

Hoydt Drury

One of the founders of the Woodbine Opry, who continues to host the Friday night shows.

Jack Bethune

One of the founders of the Woodbine Opry, who co-hosts the Friday night shows with Hoydt Drury.

Jackson Bethune

Jack Bethune's grandson, who owns and operates Jackson Bethune Sound and provides sound engineering support for the Woodbine Opry and other festivals in the Southeast.

Miss Ivy

The brash, bubbly, and crusty greeter who sets the welcoming tone at the Woodbine Opry.

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What they’re saying

“Put it on your itinerary. You will be welcomed in!”

— Bill Warren, Bluegrass Today writer (bluegrasstoday.com)

The takeaway

The Woodbine Opry's enduring success over 25 years demonstrates the power of community-driven, grassroots entertainment to bring people together and preserve local culture, even in the face of changing times and the rise of corporate entertainment venues.