By Kathy L. Collins
The Florida Opry, established in 1996, will kick off its 2017-18 season with a show by Billy Droze, a great new rising star straight out of Nashville. The Billy Droze show will take place Saturday, October 7 from 6 to 9 p.m. The Florida Opry shows are performed at an auditorium located in the historic 1914 Plant City High School Community Center located at 605 N. Collins St. in Plant City.
Reserved tickets are $15 for adults and $8 for students. Tickets at the door are $18 for adults and $10 for students. Florida Opry shows are held on the second Saturday of each month from October through April. No shows are held in March as there would be a conflict with the annual Florida Strawberry Festival.
Droze has been on stage since the age of four. He sang with his dad on stages everywhere from churches and bluegrass festivals to honkytonks. During this time, Droze developed a passion for traditional country, gospel and roots music that has influenced him ever since.
Droze learned to play the guitar at the age of 12. As a teenager, he would perform anywhere he could. By the time he was 16, he moved to Texas. He spent a year playing with his dad’s band. Droze then decided it was time to make the move to Nashville. He continued to play everywhere he could, constantly honing his skills as both a songwriter and a musician.
Droze has acquired the title of hit songwriter. Over the years, he has co-written many number one songs such as I Know Better, Her Memory Again, and Bottle Was a Bible. Droze has been touring worldwide and making music for more than a decade.
Shelby Bender, Executive Director and President of the East Historical Society said, “This truly unique artist and hit songwriter, has lyrics that dig deep into the heart of life, melodies and a guitar style that combine his traditional roots with a modern twist that is all his own, and voice so soulful, earthy and sincere that every song seems to draw you in to believe and enjoy his brand of American Music.”
Bender added, “As always promised, this will be a great music show at The Florida Opry in the historic auditorium of the 1914 Plant City High School Community Center.”
For more information, please call 757-9226.
