Back in the 1970’s (circa, not sure which years) I and some bohemian friends would once or twice a year go to the Pork Palace Opry House for drinks and dancing. It was located between Fuquay-Varina (yes that’s a real place name) and Raleigh, NC on Highway 401. Closer to Fuquay.

It was a country night club mostly frequented by people who appreciated country music. The bohemian (hippy) element was definitely not the routine patron. But it was great, and I never saw any trouble.

They had an excellent, excellent show with star-quality entertainers. The show was a mixed review with several first-class singers who would each do a show segment, backed by the great Opry House Band.

The band was great. The only individual I whose name I particularly remember was Clyde Mattox – a great pedal steel, six string, and (as I recall) banj* player. Mostly pedal steel. As best I can judge, he would be able to hang with anybody.

Another name I can remember was William Gray (or maybe Grey) who was one of the best frontman/vocalists you can imagine.

There was fine dancing in the place. The floor was full for almost every song.

After a few years the “cream of the crop” band members seemed to depart. I think Mr. Mattox went on to lead the fine Super Grit Cowboy Band, with maybe some of the other musicians. Or maybe they were called Super Grit C.B. even when they were at the PPOH, I don’t know.

In the declining period of the joint, I played bass for a couple of years in a re-constituted house band (responded to a want-ad for bass player in the Raleigh paper). We were pretty good, but not quite up to the previous standard. Steel players during that period included Curtis Lee (who doubled on fiddle, and claimed to have played steel for Don Gibson – and I believe him), a guy named Robert Schenk (or Shank?) and another young man whose name I can’t remember from around LaGrange or maybe Pink Hill, NC.

Frontman and singer at that time was Steve Honeycutt, along with a couple of very competent girl singers, one named Diane (I think) and the other whose name I forget. Diane(?)’s husband was the drummer.

At the end of my tenure the place closed. And burned a year or two later.