The Carolina Opry, founded by Calvin Gilmore, has reached 40 years of operation in Myrtle Beach, with the current theater opening in 1992 after transforming a Surfside Beach nightclub.

Its program slate includes a regular season variety show, Time Warp featuring 60s-80s hits, and a Performing Arts series headlined by artists such as Amy Grant, Clay Walker, Graham Nash, and Air Supply in 2026.

Gilmore’s path into entertainment began in Missouri farming, then pivoted to entrepreneurship inspired by Branson and Porter Wagoner, leading to a home-based performance model rather than large-scale touring.

The operation is supported by a core team including emcee Brad Long, longtime cast member Gary Brown, and Gilmore’s children: Jeffrey as Opry director and Jordan Watkins as marketing director.

Gilmore plans to publish a memoir later in 2026 and aims to extend the Opry’s appeal for at least 40 more years, balancing nostalgia with fresh material.

The Carolina Opry helped ignite a regional theater boom along the Grand Strand, fueling Myrtle Beach’s entertainment scene and Branson-style show connections.

Over the years the theater has moved across sites and names and now sits at a high-profile intersection in Myrtle Beach with a 2,200-seat capacity.