Pork Palace Opry House?

Dale Lee · Post by **Dale Lee** » 6 Dec 2006 4:22 pm

Interest in this (if any) is probably localized to central/eastern North Carolina. I did an archive search and didn't find any previous references, so I don't think its a duplicate.

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.

Anyway, I just wondered if anyone on the forum remembers the place or has any stories to share.

Clyde Mattocks · Post by **Clyde Mattocks** » 14 Dec 2006 11:33 am

Well, thanks for remembering! I was surprised to see a Pork Palace thread. I
had a couple of good years there. The drummer was Danny Vinson, also in the original Super Grit. The bass player was James Earl Stox "The king of the unproud",
the excellent guitar player was Tommy Mercer,
who I still occasionally gig with in the
Malpass Brothers band. The fiddle player was
Dave Cavenaugh. The singers were,
as you metioned Garry Williams and William
Gray, also Fred Donn, my ex wife Libby,
Diane Bailey, Carolyn Garrison, Mary Carr.
The band was fronted by restaurant owner Bob Kornegay and his wife Joyce. The announcer
was Johnny O'Neill.

Stephen Gambrell · Post by **Stephen Gambrell** » 14 Dec 2006 5:55 pm

I remember hearing about Super Grit, back when we were playing around Charlotte a good bit (early-mid 80's?). Can't remember much (hey, it was the times!), but they had a seriously good reputation. Lot's of good bands around back then---Super Grit, the Barkley Bros. out of Charlotte, Snuff up around Virginia, Slewfoot down here in South Carolina---What ever happened to the good old days?

Dale Lee · Post by **Dale Lee** » 15 Dec 2006 3:10 pm

Clyde, thanks for posting a reply. Sorry I mis-spelled your name.

Clyde Mattocks · Post by **Clyde Mattocks** » 16 Dec 2006 8:57 am

Yeah Dale, you wanted stories. As Stephen said, those were the good ol' days. You
can't have that much fun anymore . I've
stayed out of jail so far, I ain't putting it in writing! (but there are some great stories)

Dale Lee · Post by **Dale Lee** » 16 Dec 2006 9:23 am

OK. If we ever chance to meet in person I will ask for some oral history.

Clyde Mattocks · Post by **Clyde Mattocks** » 16 Dec 2006 10:49 am

What I can tell is Tommy Mercer was playing for Bob at the old location. They would push the tables back on Saturday night and play music. The crowds came and they decided to
put together a show. Tommy called me and in a few months, we had put together a competent
band. They expanded to Friday night and
the people kept coming, so Bob built the
place down on 401 South. Soon we expanded
to Wednesday thru Sunday, and brought in a
name act at least once a month.

The band gained a pretty good reputation at
being able to deliver these guest Opry performers' material, and in 1973, Dick
Blake Agency with Dale Morris (later to manage Alabama, Kenny Chesney) hired us to
support a Merle Haggard tour, backing Mel
Stree and Crash Craddock. That was the high
point of the Pork Palace Band's existence.
Later, problems with the state tax people and other excesses brought down the business.
Bob was killed in a car crash soon afterward.
But it was a good ride and I loved the people and we had a good band. I stay in
touch with all of them.

Dale Lee · Post by **Dale Lee** » 16 Dec 2006 2:10 pm

A nice summary. Thanks again.