“A Tribute to the Grand Ole Opry”

   It’s a red, white and blue month of music throughout July at the Big Bear Discovery Center Amphitheater featuring classic country and bluegrass music; the sounds and lyrics that defined our nation and instilled its genuine values. Its grassroots and Americana to the core presented by the San Bernardino National Forest Association and Coldwell Banker, The Tim Wood Group. On Saturday, July 11, “A Tribute to the Grand Ole Opry” will be held. The music from such Opry greats as Loretta Lynn, Tammy Wynette, Dolly Parton, Johnny and June Carter Cash, and, of course, Patsy Cline, will be celebrated. For younger Opry members, Martina McBride’s and Trisha Yearwood’s music will a big hit. Local legend, Nancy Walker, who has performed her “Forever Patsy” show for Miss Kline’s many fans, will reprise her role along with local songstress, Beth Gardner, and her rendition of the music from the “Queen of the Opry”, Minnie Pearl. Mike Cross, the PianoMan, will accompany these tribute artists along with Terry Copley on bass, Steve Boggio on drums, guest artist, renowned pedal steel guitarist Rick Schmidt, and the great fiddle player, Chris Woods, hailing from Los Angeles. Adult ticket prices are $20; $10 teens (13-17); children 12 and under are free. Gates open at 5:30pm; show begins at 7:00 p.m.

   Rounding out the month of America’s best heartland and mountain music on Saturday, July 25, is “Bluegrass, Bluejeans and Beyond”, a celebration and tribute to great Irish and classic bluegrass, along with folk and country music from 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Scheduled to perform are Sligo Rags; The Black Irish Band; Scott Gates/Nathan McEuen/Chuck Hailes; Silverado Bluegrass, The Ramblin’ Rangers, and closing out the evening, a Johnny Cash Vegas Tribute to the “Man in Black” show featuring a tribute to Johnny and June-Carter Cash and other surprise tributes. Gates open at 3:00pm; the great lineup of music begins at 3:30 p.m. Ticket prices are $25 for adults; $15 teens (13-17); children 12 and under are free with a paid sales receipt from Riffenburgh Lumber, in Big Bear Lake. 

   Tickets are available for all three shows at www.SBNFA.org, the Discovery Center Adventure Outpost and via the ticket hotline at 909-382-2780. Parking is free. Bench seating is limited and available on a first-come basis; bring a beach chair and enjoy the open and casual seating areas. Bill Knicks’ Café will feature Americana food. A beer, wine and margarita bar will also be available. No outside beverages are allowed.   

   The San Bernardino National Forest Association is staging these amazing artists and events to raise funds for “Forest Aid”, a forest restoration partnership of the SBNFA, U.S. Forest Service and LA-based TreePeople. Over 20,000 native seedlings were planted in the spring of 2009; this effort was one of the largest volunteer-led initiatives in Southern California. The quest continues in the spring of 2010 where the target is over 35,000 seedlings; the primary focus will be in the Big Bear Valley restoring the burn areas from the Butler I and II wildfires.   

   Additional sponsors are the City of Big Bear Lake, Northwoods Resort, Yamaha, Big Bear Mountain Resorts and Arrowhead Credit Union. Additional proceeds from the series will benefit The Lighthouse Project and their Peace Gardens project in the Bear Valley elementary schools; growing fruits and vegetables for local families and big smiles for its student population. The Discovery Center is one of six programs managed by the SBNFA, the lead nonprofit partner to the U.S. Forest Service.

About the San Bernardino National Forest Association

   The San Bernardino National Forest Association is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization; tax ID 33-0556414. Founded in 1993 by recently-retired SBNF Supervisor, Gene Zimmerman, the SBNFA was formed to complement and expand the mission of the U.S. Forest Service in “caring for the land and serving the people”. The SBNFA matches federal dollars, builds capacity and resources through partnerships, foundation grants, fund raising events, and donations to create opportunities for people and communities to participant in public lands management. Additionally, the SBNFA instills forest stewardship values through its educational and recreational programs aimed at San Bernardino National Forest visitors and residents. Over 800 volunteers support the SBNFA’s six divisions including Forest Care, Fire Education, Fire Lookouts, Children’s Forest, Off Highway Vehicle program and the Big Bear Discovery Center. For more information on “Your Partner for Conservation, Education & Recreation”, check out their website, www.SBNFA.org.  

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