Annie and Terry Dunavin are the owners of Annie’s Country Jubilee. They live in Tonganoxie, and they have five children and six grandchildren.

Annie’s love of music goes back to her childhood, when she and her four brothers would help on the family farm outside Princeton, MO. They liked to sing while they were driving the tractor or bailing hay. She would sneak in sessions with the neighbors’ banjo, even though her neighbor’s father forbade it, and she was instantly hooked.

Annie set her musical aspirations aside to marry and start a family. It wasn’t until she remarried years later that she started singing again. On her honeymoon in Tampa, FL, she and her husband Terry went to a club on the beach, where a one-man band was performing. Terry had ducked out to the restroom for a moment, and returned to see Annie headed to the stage to sing. He became convinced of her talent, and so he and their five children encouraged her to pursue a singing career.

When Annie was in seventh grade, she would stay in from recess to watch her classmate Bill Stoklasa (”Wild Bill”) play his guitar. Twenty-five years later, her first big opportunity came at Wild Bill’s Opry, an annual talent show. She took second place in her first appearance, and the top prize in her second.

In June 2003, after owning and operating Glen’s Opry in Tonganoxie, Kansas for eight years, Glen and Jane Smith decided to retire and sell the opry. Annie seized the opportunity to fulfill her dream of owning her own show. In June 2003 Annie and her husband became proud owners of one of finest country shows in the Midwest. Having performed in Opry shows throughout the Midwest and noting what they liked best in each show, Terry and Annie began to implement what they had learned together with their own ideas.

They started by remodeling the lobby, concession area, and restrooms to give the place a new look and provide a comfortable area for their guests. With the continued success of the show, Annie and Terry will continue to improve what is already one of the finest shows in the Midwest. We have the greatest band, a fantastic sound system and engineer, and a great following of loyal patrons.

Several additions to the ACJ theater are planned for the near future, but Annie’s dedication to bringing quality country music to the Midwest will never change. Annie continues to follow her dream with the support of her family, friends, and fans. She always enjoys meeting fans after her shows, and appreciates their support both of her and country music and Opry shows. She hopes that her fans will spread the word, drawing new people to the shows in order to help keep classic country music alive.