01/30/2026
FYI, the Opry season for 2026 will be on the SECOND FRIDAY night of the month and NOT the FIRST, as before. (Musicians read this whole notice to the end.)
Hopefully this will make it so people will not have conflicts with other musical events you choose to attend, plus it will avoid the two holidays we usually run into. Opry will run JUNE through SEPTEMBER, at the Big Red Barn at Menno Pioneer Acres site.
IMPORTANT: There will be some changes other than just the date!
I (Dan) put a lot of work into this Opry. It isn't just unlock the door and let you in as many seem to think. I end up spending the better part of a day's time so you can come and entertain and to tell you the truth, I am getting old and tired. I have to make a trip down to Menno to sweep of the bat guano, dust the benches and chairs, set up the chairs and tables and the sound. This has to be done on Friday mornings. I also start on Wed. or Thurs. calling around to make sure I am going to have some entertainers. We have had good attendance from the audience but poor attendance from some of the musicians. I appreciate all of you but I really appreciate those who make the commitment to come to Menno and not run off someplace else when the opportunity arises.
I am looking for people that will commit they will be there for every opry. I have two that have given me their word on that, or I would not even be looking at having an opry at all in 2026. If there are others who would like to make this commitment, then please let me know.
Thank you to all who've come to play in the past. A BIG THANK YOU to the audience! Thanks to all who bring for the lunch. We couldn't do the opry without you.
ALSO, be it known, there will be a change in sound systems. We are requesting all music be acoustic. You will not be allowed to plug into our sound system for anything, and you are not to bring your own amp. I have heard plenty from those in the audience that the amplified instruments drown out the singing and acoustic instruments, so acoustic only, please.
If you do not like the rules, then just don't come. Sorry, but I do not owe folks a venue to entertain as I put a lot of my own time and money into the opry that you are unaware of. The proceeds from the lunch can go to the Power Show for use of the building and not to me or to SoDak Stamm for use.
Hopefully this will work out. If you plan to come to the Opry in any given month, please give me at least a couple days heads up if you have not already committed yourself to me, and let me know you are coming. If you've committed and something happens that you absolutely can't come, let me know there too. You all have my phone number.
Any NEW MUSICIANS, contact me through my personal page or by phone and let m know you would like to be part. Always glad to have new folks, you are just must abide by my rules: Decent old time Country and Gospel music only. No canned music (tapes or cd's) for backup. Acoustic instruments, and keep it clean. No songs or stories you wouldn't sing or tell your 90 year old Christian Grandma or you wouldn't want your three or four year old kid or grandkid running around singing. The who's cheating who and other shady country music you can go sing at the casinos if that's your style. This is an old fashioned family style program. Please help us to keep it that way.
You've heard my rant. Thanks. Dan Flyger for SoDak Stamm Germans from Russia and the Menno Pioneer Opry.
