The Black Opry Revue ft. Ally Free, Jett Holden, Destinie Lynn, and Ben Jordan

One of the most valuable aspects of country music is its versatility and diversity in sound. And so it is with the Black Opry Revue, consisting of a rotating cast of musicians making magic in this space. Founded by Holly G. a Black woman and fan of Black country music, she set out to start an online platform to connect Black musicians, fans, and industry professionals, which has blossomed into a concept of a live music entity of rotating Black songwriters. No performance is the same.

Black Opry Revue makes its Swallow Hill debut on Saturday, October 21 at 8 pm, with a concert featuring songwriters Ally Free, Jett Holden, Destinie Lynn, and Ben Jordan. This diverse set of musicians will demonstrate the wide range of emotions and experiences of the human voice and a six string guitar.

“She (Holly G) created it as a fan, wanting to see more of herself in the genre,” songwriter Jett Holden, a current touring member of the Revue, told NPR’s World Cafe in 2022. “It represents artists from the Americana, country, roots, and folk genres that are African American and it shows that we don’t just exist, but we exist in numbers.”

Black Opry’s mission statement is that of “a home for Black artists, fans and industry professionals working in country, Americana, blues, and folk music. Country and roots music have been made and loved by Black people since their conception. For just as long, we have been overlooked and disregarded in the genre. Black Opry is changing that.”

“So many of these performers have had experiences with the doors in Nashville being shut in their face due to the color of their skin,” Holly G told the Nashville Scene in December 2021, of the artists who perform with the Revue. “It means a lot to be able to hold a door open for them and hopefully demonstrate that continuing to ignore the diversity that exists within country music is a mistake.”

This concept is paving the way of access and experience for musicians, giving them a taste of what the business and industry can be. It nurtures talent when there aren’t school programs, industry opportunities, or doors opened for Black country musicians. Not only is the Black Opry providing opportunity and access to Black country musicians, fans, and industry professionals, but they are creating a new way of business that benefits everyone involved.