2nd Annual Hogtown Opry kicks off on May 18

Press release from Hogtown Opry

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The second annual Hogtown Opry kicks off on Saturday, May 18, 2024, at 7 p.m. at the historic University Auditorium at 333 Newell Drive, located next to the bell tower on the University of Florida campus in Gainesville, Florida. Gainesville actor Gregg Jones will return as Master of Ceremonies, and two of last year’s supporting artists, Robert Bowlin and Wil Maring, take the lead with offerings of bluegrass, old-time tinged originals, twin fiddling, and even some old-time swing music.

This year’s Hogtown Opry is leaning on its roots in the Music City, Nashville. The Music City Ramblers are, in fact, four Nashville recording, touring and award-winning artists and songwriters who have collaborated in various ways for over 30 years. As Robert puts it, the way magic happens in Nashville, “you meet up with someone by sheer accident and you’re both there, never met each other and you’re working on a project together for another artist.”

That’s what happened with Robert Bowlin and Shad Cobb over 30 years ago. Cobb, who first picked up the fiddle at the age of 13, is now one of the most sought-after fiddle players in Nashville.

As for Wil Maring, her surprise guest is longtime collaborator and Nashville-born mandolinist, guitarist, and singer/songwriter Forrest O’Connor, whose legacy has earned him many accolades, including a Grammy and a Billboard #1 Bluegrass Album.

Opening the Opry is the ever-present but always surprising Hogtown Opry Band under the direction of maestra Cathy DeWitt. This year, longtime Gainesville musician and music teacher David Cook returns to the fold and brings his fiddle-playing son Andrew along. Cathy says Andrew’s fiddle playing “makes me happy.” The father and son will also share some harmonies during the opening set along with players Jolene Stone Jones, mandolin; Annie McPherson, bass; Janet Rucker, banjo/guitar; and Rob Rothschild, drums. The addition of the drums “creates depth in the songs and ensures a very upbeat performance,” says DeWitt.

The University Auditorium, originally known as the Memorial Auditorium and sometimes called the University of Florida Auditorium, is a historic building on the campus of the University of Florida.

The host hotel is the Holiday Inn University Center, 1250 West University Avenue, and discounts are available to attendees.

Hogtown Opry tickets are available through the University of Florida Ticket Office at 352-392-2787. For more information about Hogtown Opry visit www.hogtownopry.com .

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