2023
Mountain Home Music
Concert Series

The Mountain Home Music Theater

Looking for some of the best historic North Georgia and Western North Carolina live music entertainment? Look no further. The 2023 Mountain Home Music Concert Season promises to surpass all expectations. We are celebrating our 23rd season at the classic little red building nestled in the mountains of North Georgia located on Highway 76 East, 1/2 mile west of Hiawassee and a little bit east of Young Harris. Come and enjoy your favorite country, bluegrass, and gospel music along with a whole lot of “oldies.” It’s the songs you know and love and even a touch of comedy everyone can relate to.

Our History

Mr. Larry Barrong opened and ran the original Mountain Home Music Theater from 1984 to 1993. It was located just down the street from our current location and seated about 800 country music enthusiasts.

Then Miss Stella Berrong (Larry’s mom) and her late husband built and opened the current Mountain Home Music Theater location in 2000.

For the next 20 years the Mountain Home Music Theater and Miss Stella have brought warm country charm entertainment to our mountain communities.

Sadly, the December 12, 2020 Christmas show featuring the Mountain Home Music Band was to be the final show at the Theater. Mrs. Berrong had decided to permanently close for health reasons–Miss Stella turned 93 on December 5th, 2022.

“This is the end of the musical chapter of my life,” Miss Stella said. However, she ensured the community that the building’s next inhabitant would be “good people” as Christian Financial Ministries would begin leasing the building in January. “It is real good people taking it over,” Berrong said. “I was just going to lock the doors and go to the house. I didn’t want to rent it for music because I don’t want alcohol in the building–I’ve never had it and never will.”

The good news is, as a service to our local communities, Christian Financial Ministries and Miss Stella work together to keep the tradition of the Mountain Home Music Theater alive and well. The 2023 concert season features some of the best live music entertainment this side of Nashville the first Saturday of each month from April through December. There is no charge for admission, refreshments, or any of the materials Christian Financial Ministries has to offer. As a 501-c-3 Nonprofit Ministry, Christian Financial Ministries does ask for a “lover offering” to help fund their many community services all of which are offered at no charge.

2023 Performers

South Wind Band

The South Wind Band is back with all original members, playing a variety of music, including Country, Oldies, Rock, Pop, and Gospel. They have opened for numerous artists, including: Randy Travis, Ricky Scaggs, Ricky Van Shelton, Oak Ridge Boys, Steve Wariner, Neal McCoy, John Anderson, Buck Owens, and many others. The band includes five accomplished musicians and singers, with lots of harmony vocals.

The Mountain Home Music Band

The Mountain Home Music Band is a local Hiawassee Georgia band which has been playing music in these mountains for 30-40 years. Two of the band members, Larry Berrong (fiddle, banjo, piano, vocals) and Jimmy Hooper (electric guitar and vocals), are the original FFA String Band members who brought the State Championship, two years in a row, to Towns County in the late 1960’s. Orange Blossom Special will have you clapping your hands and tapping your toes still in 2024! Other members of the band include Dale Nicholson on drums, Tim Burch on bass guitar and vocals, Danny Burch on flat top guitar and vocals, Jerry Nichols on flat top guitar and vocals, and Marilyn Berrong vocals. The music provided by this group includes classic country, gospel, bluegrass and classic rock and roll. Emcee, Danny Burch, has also been known to bring a little comedy to the group. Mountain Home Music Band has been privileged to open the Georgia Mountain Fair for many groups such as Gene Watson, the Bellamy Brothers, Crystal Gale, Exile, and Joe Diffy just to name a few. With all the talent found in these musicians and singers you are sure to find a song you will like and remember and enjoy a fun-filled evening!

Dr. Gottsman and The Varmints

Have you ever wondered what a Doctor does to relax? Well, keep an eye posted to our Chatuge Ministry and Event Center Concert Series Schedule so you can come and find out in a big way. Dr. Michael Gottsman is a renowned orthopedic surgeon from Gainesville, GA. He and his Varmint Band of professional bluegrass musicians will get your heart pumping, your blood flowing, your foot stomping and make you feel good all over. Whether you are a patient or a bluegrass fan you are in for a great evening of pickin’ and grinin’. It’s just what the Doctor ordered!

The Chatuge Ministry and Event Center is the former home of Ms. Stella Berrong’s Mountain Home Music Theater. It’s the little red building on the south side of US 76 just 2 1/2 miles west of Hiawassee. Show time are always 7:00 PM. There will be no charge for admission and refreshments. We will have a Community Love Offering to help support all our free community services. For more information call Bob Louder at 678-386-2640 or Stella Berrong at 706-781-7866.

Elvis

Roy Perren will perform at the Chatuge Ministry & Event Center again this year.   Roy has been singing publicly since he was a small child.  Along the way he was told his voice had a strong resemblance to that of Elvis Presley.  With that encouragement he began performing as “Elvis”.  Roy has brought hours of enjoyment to folks in the North Georgia Mountains.   Roy was a regular at Mountain Home Music Theater for 8 years.   In addition to Elvis, Roy has a love of Classic Country and Southern Gospel music and sings at churches and events whenever he can.  Many say that Roy is the best male vocalist they have ever heard.  Half of the show Roy will perform your favorite Elvis hits, with the other half going to performing favorite Classic Country songs.   

2023 Concert Schedule

APRIL 1: The Mountain Home Music Band

MAY 6: Barry Evans and the South Wind Band from Woodstock, GA

JUNE 3: The Mountain Home Music Band

JULY 1: Barry Evans and the South Wind Band

AUGUST 5: The Mountain Home Music Band

SEPTEMBER 2: “Elvis” (Roy Perren tentative)

OCTOBER 7: The Mountain Home Music Band

NOVEMBER 4: “Elvis” (Roy Perren–tentative)

DECEMBER 2: Annual Christmas Show with the Mountain Home Music Band

Note: Dr. Gottsman and the Varmints dates yet to be set.

Do you have questions? Would you like more information? Please either complete and send the form below or give us a call at 678-386-2640

We look forward to seeing you soon and often!

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