Library captures the history of KC Opry

The Midwest Genealogy Center has captured the rich history of KC Opry through a community story telling project.

Here’s a description of the project which is available online.

“While Kansas City is world-renowned for its jazz, this is not the only rich music scene the metro boasts. From 1978 through 1989, the KC Opry, a Nashville-style country music venue featuring local and big-name musicians alike, operated out of the historic Englewood Theater, in the Englewood neighborhood of Independence, Missouri. For nine of its eleven-year run, the theater was owned and operated by Tuffy Williams, a local musician and entertainer.

Hundreds of musicians passed through the KC Opry over the years, among them Loretta Lynn, Jerry Lee Lewis, Kris Kristofferson, and Garth Brooks. Most memorable was Tuffy himself, whose larger-than-life personality and charisma made him a local legend. An experienced performer, Tuffy was known for his theatrics on the piano, often playing with his feet, improvising set lists, and performing his signature gunpowder explosion trick to a lively rendition of ‘Great Balls of Fire.’”