The Myrtle Beach area has been a country music hotbed for years. Of course, country music legends, Alabama, got their start right on Ocean Boulevard at the world-famous Bowery, the Carolina Country Music Festival (CCMF) has been held in Myrtle Beach for the past four years, and there was even a Myrtle Beach country music jamboree in the early ‘80s featuring major country artists like Conway Twitty, Johnny Cash, Tammy Wynette and more. With that history, it’s no surprise that Calvin Gilmore envisioned the Grand Strand to be a good place to start a country music theater. In 1986, the Carolina Opry was opened in Surfside Beach (right on Highway 17 near the intersection of Surfside Drive and 17 Business). They started out with just 12 performers and were the only music theater in the area for seven years.
In 1992, the current location of the Carolina Opry opened where highways 17 Business and Bypass meet on the north end of the Strand. By this time, Myrtle Beach was beginning to look like Branson, Missouri with its multiple dinner/music/show offerings. At one time there were quite a few theaters in town. Some have come and gone, but the Carolina Opry has remained a staple and major Myrtle Beach attraction for more than 30 years.
The award-winning Carolina Opry was named “Most Outstanding South Carolina Attraction” by the South Carolina’s Governor’s Cup. Additionally, Carolina Opry performers have been featured on nationally televised shows like The Voice and America’s Got Talent. What was originally a country music show has evolved over the years to cover a wide variety of music genres. Carolina Opry has also added many special themed shows, some of which run year round, most notably their annual Christmas show which sells out year after year.
A night at the Carolina Opry is a perfect date night or good fun for an entire family or large group. Customers love its close proximity to Marina Inn Grande Dunes, so be sure and add it to your itinerary while staying with us. With that in mind, check out the special Carolina Opry package deals available on our packages page. Come stay with us and enjoy the music!
