History of the Hickory Grove Opry Farm

Milt and Ellie Burd brought The Hickory Grove Farm located on Farmersville Road, Farmersville, Tewksbury Twp, Hunterdon County, N.J. in the early 1950's..Milt was a Dairy and Crop Farmer.  The Hickory Grove was already a Historical Grove, as in the 1800's the local farmers and local Churches use to gather there for their annual picnics. The Burd Family also held their family reunions at Hickory Grove.

In the mid sixties came "The  Fabulous Burd Boys" !!!! Milt was very proud of The Burd Boys and loved their music, in fact, he was the one that built THE BIGGEST STAGE you have ever seen in the mid sixties, all for The Burd Boys. The first "Country Music Festival" hosted by the Burd Boys was held on this very stage in 1967. It quickly grew in popularity and became a bi-annual event every June and September on the farm. 

The Festivals became a real family affair and included the efforts of the entire family. In addition to the Walter and Donny Burd's performances, occasionally Dick Burd would join in. Carrie Ann, (niece of Don and Walt Burd) was also a big fan of The Burd Boys, she use to sing her favorite song "Your Cheating Heart"  with the band.  Carrie Ann Burd passed away, Feb, 20th 1991 and her Dad, Milt, passed away, May,10th,1992. Nephew, John Burd, was the sales man for The Burd Boys, and traveled with them to all of thier country shows, as a labor of love.  

The last Jamboree at the grove in 1974 was held, with an attendance of 5,000 that came out to enjoy this country version of woodstock! This was to be Donny Burds last performance at the Grove. On Aug. 4th, 1974 Donny Burd took the stage with the Burd Boys, sharing the bill with Mel Tillis, in what would be his farewell performance. Donny was diagnosed with Hodgkins disease in 1974, at the age of 41. All though terribly ill, he took the stage one more time with the boys and never missed a beat. He passed away Jan. 7th, 1975, a week before a final record was released (one he himself insisted on recording). After sometime the boys got together again to play at family gatherings and other events, but for the most part the Burd Boys went into voluntary retirement after Donny's passing. Art Landon, another member of The Burd Boys, died Jan 1st, 1996. Walt Burd died Sept 13th, 1980. Len Rambo (one of the original members and former owner of the famous " Rambo General Store" in Califon), and Bernie Hudecek, the two surviving members of The Burd Boys still perform at The Hickory Grove Opry Farm. Both continue to support the Hickory Grove Opry Farm in making the dreams come true. Len Rambo also still performs for WDVR Heartland Hayride on Saturday nights from 6 pm to 8pm, at 89.7 FM radio station.

(The Grove as it appears today)

Nephew, John Burd, along with his Mom, Ellie, carry on with "The Memory of The Burd Boys'  keeping their Music and their Memories alive at The Hickory Grove Opry Farm.  They continue the family tradition and put all their efforts into keeping  this piece of not only their family history, but what has also become a part of our cultural heritage, alive. Ellie Burd put it best when she said "Their music is too good to be forgotten!" John Burd poignantly added "No one should be forgotten!"  After a visit to Nashville, Tennessee in 1999, and having met Steve Hall of the Shot Gun Red Band, and having his band remind them so very much of the Burd Boys Shows, The two would not give up until they arranged for Steve and his band to come out for a show in tribute to The Burd Boys. In 2000 through 2004 the shows were held in a local auditorium, and were such a success that the facility built to store the tractors, bailers, and farm equipment was converted in the summer months, while John was out bailing hay into "The Hickory Grove Opry Farm" ! It is still used in the winter months for equipment storage as the Hickory Grove Farm is still a producing farm to this day. 

The "Hickory Grove Opry Farm" has been called the new "Grand Old Opry of the East" and has hosted an impressive array of stars that have performed there. Those include: Ricky Van Shelton, Stella Parton, Charley McCoy, The Bellamy Brothers, Steve Hall and the Shot Guns Red Band, Jimmy Eaves, and Franky Miller, as well as many others. The setting is an old farm and on it is housed a huge storage barn which can be converted (when not in use for farm equipment storage) on any given day to resemble the Opry House with State of the art sound system and a stage with sets. It's unique because all the huge doors open up so if the weather is nice it gives the feeling of an open air concert. But if the weather doesn't cooperate the doors close for a wonderful dry show. Ellie and John Burd are inviting you to their "home" to enjoy some good ol' southern hospitality and are sure you will enjoy an evening of Classic country music and comedy you will never forget!

Below are some of the pictures from the original shows at the Hickory Grove Farm