Virginia’s Li’l Ole Opry welcomes home one of its past stars, Troy Hedspeth, this Saturday night. The same night, the Opry will also be celebrating longtime emcee “Uncle Jimmy Wickham” Smith’s 80th birthday.

The show will be at Mathews High School’s Harry M. Ward Auditorium. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. and the show begins at 8 o’clock.

Hedspeth joined the Li’l Ole Opry when he was a youngster who adored Garth Brooks, sported a much too large cowboy hat and called himself “the little big man of country music,” a release stated. Since that time, he has graduated from Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee, with a degree in music theater and has become Associate Director of Music and Worship at Spring Branch Community Church in Virginia Beach, his hometown.

He said he will conduct Saturday’s show mainly in the country and inspirational realm, but added that “I’d also like to give the audience a small variety of the different things I’ve done through the years.” Joining him will be his band, as well as his wife, Jessica, and their three children.

The Opry band and singers, including Lynda Smith, A.J. McKeen, Tracy Hill, Richard Smith, Ralph Motley, David Shuber and William Earl Sadler, will kick the show off with the first half. After a brief intermission, Hedspeth will take the stage.

Tickets are $12 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under. Tickets can be purchased in advance at the Mathews Visitor and Information Center and Beach Bum BBQ in Mathews and Marketplace Antiques on Route 17 in Hayes. Tickets are also available at the door on show night.

Visit www.donkstheater.com for a complete list of 2017 dates and featured performers.