LURAY, Va. – Country music star and 80s heartthrob Tom Wopat will be performing in concert at a popular Shenandoah Valley tourist attraction this weekend.
According to an announcement from Cooter’s Place in Luray, Wopat will be on hand to sign autographs from 11 a.m.- 4 p.m. December 14, 2024, with a musical performance starting at 7 p.m.
Event tickets are $25 for general concert seating. There’s no admission charge for those 60 and over or 12 and under.
“The Dukes of Hazzard,” a weekly show that premiered on CBS in 1979, followed the adventures of two good ‘ol boys in rural Hazzard County, Georgia.
Bo and Luke Duke, joined by Cousin Daisy and Uncle Jesse, were at constant odds with corrupt politician Boss Hogg and his right-hand man, Sheriff Rosco P. Coltrane. The show often included wild escapes and car chases, featuring a bright orange, souped-up Dodge Charger nicknamed “The General Lee.” After a successful run, the show’s last episode aired February, 1985.
Ben Jones, an actor who had played mechanic “Cooter” on the action-comedy, quickly threw his hat into the ring of Georgia politics. Running for Congress in Georgia’s Fourth Congressional District, he won in 1986 and again in 1990. After serving in Congress, Jones briefly returned to show business with a few character roles and on Dukes of Hazzard reunion specials.
In 1998, Jones and his wife Alma Viator bought a farm in Rappahannock County, near Shenandoah National Park. In 1999, they created a “Dukes of Hazzard” museum and theme store called “Cooter’s.” Even though the television show hadn’t been on the air for almost 15 years, it was an immediate success with fans and tourists alike.
In 2017, the museum moved to a much larger and more-accessible location in Page County. By then, there were also Cooter’s Place museums in Gatlinburg and Nashville, Tennessee. The new location was dubbed “Cooter’s in Luray.”
Since then, the Luray business has hosted several concerts, car shows, and annual celebrations featuring Dukes of Hazzard cast members. The location features a free-admission museum and gift shop, Cooter’s tow truck (“the wrecker”), a General Lee Dodge Charger and Roscoe’s police cruiser.
Over the years, the show has developed a cult-like following, as demonstrated by the thousands of fans who flock to the Luray location each year.
A town famous for its caverns and proximity to Shenandoah National Park, Luray provides the ideal location for Dukes of Hazzard fans who also want to enjoy local scenery, restaurants and shopping.
For those able to arrive before Saturday’s concert, Cooter’s Country Kitchen is also hosting a pre-concert dinner from 5 p.m. – 6 p.m.
The $20 dinner includes: Turkey & dressing mashed Potatoes & gravy; green beans; dessert; tea or lemonade (bottle drinks sold separately). Advance dinner reservations are required and space is limited.
Representatives of Cooter’s have not indicated if Wopat will be in attendance for the dinner, but he will be available to sign autographs 11 a.m.- 2 p.m. on Sunday, December 15.
