In the summer of 1995, Frank Gadd’s father took him to a Bluegrass festival. There, he soaked up the rhythms with every pluck of a banjo and lonesome fiddle note. That day sparked a vision that would eventually lead him to own the Pennyroyal Opera House.
“Doesn’t matter where you’re at, if there are Bluegrass musicians, you can just step right in, start right up and you can hear some of the best music you’ve ever heard,” Gadd says.
Located in Guernsey County, the Pennyroyal Opera House is a notable presence on Fair Avenue. The vibrant white exterior features brick-red doors that open to bands and guests.
Built in 1830, the building served as a church before the Pennyroyal Reunion Association purchased it for $300 in 1910. The building has since undergone extensive restorations and renovations, cultivating an inviting environment.
Frank Gadd, alongside his wife Cathy Gadd, has been actively involved in the upkeep and operation of the venue. Over the years they have replaced the windows and added a steel roof, thanks to local donations.
The Pennyroyal opens its doors roughly twice a month on Fridays, but sometimes more often depending on the availability of performers. The average Bluegrass show at Pennyroyal brings in about 25 to 30 people a night.
The lower level of the venue features a newly renovated kitchen and a social hall filled with tables and folding chairs. Family and friends gather to chat before the show begins upstairs. The kitchen opens most nights before performances to sell hotdogs, fried bologna sandwiches, French fries and a series of handmade pies ranging from custard to pumpkin.
The crowd consists of people who have been consistent attendees for decades, making up a core group of Pennyroyal regulars.
The entire venue is run by dedicated volunteers. Bluegrass fan Betty Eddy has been working at the Pennyroyal for 27 years.
“I’ve been here since the beginning,” Eddy says.
As the meals are slowly finished in the social hall, everyone begins to make their way up the stairs into the main concert hall. The cushioned seats provide a comfortable viewing experience as guests excitedly wait for Frank Gadd to come on stage to introduce the opening act.
A moment later, the lights suddenly dim, the once chattering crowd goes silent and the stage begins to glow as the musicians take their places. Like calm weather before a storm, one second everyone is waiting for the stampede of music to hit their ears, the next moment, a trance is placed on everyone in the audience: the band begins to play.
Gadd is not only an avid supporter of the Bluegrass genre but a talented musician as well.
Gadd’s involvement in the culture of Bluegrass grew after attending multiple festivals where he met musicians from all over the country.
“(You can find the) best singing right in the middle of the night, on a front porch or in the backyard, campfire, or going to camp out, or whatever,” Gadd says.
Inspired by the musicians he met, he started to learn how to play guitar, even selling his own boat to purchase a new one.
Gadd uses his connections from years of being involved in the Bluegrass community, looking to local and national levels to find bands to perform at the Pennyroyal.
When national bands are featured, Gadd tries to make sure that local bands are the openers to retain a community focus. In addition to the loyal audience, Gadd also wants to reach out to newer, younger audiences.
“Everyone who comes to the Pennyroyal, especially younger audiences, end up becoming fascinated by the instruments and voices,” Gadd says.
Gadd knows about the magical pull—or “Bluegrass bug”—that can occur when you give a young person the opportunity to engage with the music.
“Bluegrass is usually not plugged in,” Gadd says. “It is straight up in your face.”
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