The Carolina Opry: 34 Years of Transforming Myrtle Beach Entertainment
34 Years of World-Class Entertainment at The Carolina Opry
On June 2, 1986, Calvin Gilmore welcomed the first audiences to The Carolina Opry. Local residents and visitors alike were unsure what to anticipate—perhaps just another country venue or a beachside variety act.
Instead, they experienced a refreshing, high-energy production in a state-of-the-art theater, suitable for families, grandparents, and even discerning critics. By late summer, word spread quickly, with lines wrapping around the building and tour buses filling the lot. Starting with just 12 performers—including Gilmore himself—the show delivered unforgettable entertainment.
Over 35 years later, The Carolina Opry remains the market's premier attraction. Gilmore continues as owner, producer, performer, and director, with the venue fully family-owned—no corporate conglomerates or hotel partnerships involved.
The launch of the Carolina Opry Christmas Special (“The Christmas Show of the South”) turned Myrtle Beach into a year-round destination. Decades ago, the area shuttered after Labor Day, with few dining options in winter. The Christmas show drew regional families, filling hotels and restaurants, and birthing a vital new season.
This entertainment surge spurred Grand Strand growth, attracting brands like Marriott, Hard Rock Cafe, and Medieval Times.
Gilmore has performed on the Grand Ole Opry, earned South Carolina Senate recognition and the Palmetto Patriot award. His productions have been praised by NBC Nightly News, USA Today, CNN, Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, The New York Times, Detroit Free Press, and more. Huffington Post highlighted the “world-class entertainers that blew us away.”
Gilmore's shows are the only ones to win every major South Carolina tourism award, including the Governor’s Cup and Most Outstanding Attraction, and have been voted #1 for 34 consecutive years.
Today, at the Calvin Gilmore Theater, Gilmore elevates Myrtle Beach entertainment with diverse, original productions:
- The flagship Carolina Opry, showcasing over 35 top-tier musicians, singers, dancers, and comedians—including The Voice alum Delvin Choice, young star Rory John Zak, Brad Long, America’s Got Talent favorites All That!, vocalists Christie Templeton, Tangena Church, Chas Croft Sorrells, fiddler Trent Wideman, and bluegrass master Gary Brown.
- Time Warp, with the award-winning Carolina Opry cast, multimillion-dollar laser effects akin to Pink Floyd tours, celebrating 60s-80s hits with dance, comedy, and multimedia. Fresh 2019 updates!
- Thunder and Light, a hit featuring All That! in matinees, plus illusionists The Wagsters.
- Pure Magic, blending illusions, comedy, and drama by The Wagsters with card tricks, vanishes, and more.
- The cherished Carolina Opry Christmas Special, “The Christmas Show of the South,” a holiday tradition earning Gilmore the title “Mr. Christmas” from the Sun-News.
- Select Sunday evenings host the Myrtle Beach Performing Arts Series, featuring Travis Tritt, Confederate Railroad, The Marshall Tucker Band, Russian National Ballet, Gladys Knight, and tribute acts for Bee Gees, Prince, Eagles, Led Zeppelin, Michael Jackson, Journey, Queen, and ABBA.
The Carolina Opry Theater offers something for everyone. As the saying goes, there's nothing like an original.
Catch these shows nightly at 7:00 pm, with The Carolina Opry and Time Warp rotating evenings. Thunder and Light and Pure Magic offer weekly matinees—check the full schedule. Call 843-913-4000 or visit www.TheCarolinaOpry.com to book tickets.
