Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Tracy Eason, the owner of the Georgiana Opry House, has been named this week’s Greenville Advocate Hero of the Week. Eason, who was born in Atlanta, has had a varied career, starting as a neonatal nurse before diving into the music scene and ultimately revitalizing a community landmark.

“I took care of premature babies and children for 30 years. Babies have always been my soft spot,” Eason said. “I miss it sometimes. It was so rewarding you didn’t notice the tough times as much.”

Eason attended nursing school at Jefferson State Community College and the University of Alabama before embarking on a long career as a neonatal nurse. Despite her commitment to healthcare, Eason’s love for music remained a constant presence in her life.

“I started playing drums in my neighbor’s lap when I was only three years old,” Eason said. “By the time I was 16, I was in a band playing clubs in Atlanta.”

Eason’s journey to Georgiana began with a chance encounter with local musician Robbin McCombs. 

“Robbin was putting a band together. He found me at an open mic night and hired me. I ended up in Georgiana and I just fell in love with this little town and stayed here,” Eason said. “I worked at the old hospital in Georgiana for years and it really brought me closer to the community because in the ER I met everyone.”

After retiring from nursing, Eason found herself contemplating her next steps. A serendipitous discovery while walking downtown led her to purchase the Georgiana Opry House, a move she attributes to divine intervention. 

“God just put it in my heart that I needed to buy this place,” Eason said. ‘And of course, I was like, no way, I don’t know what I’m doing… but here we are three years later and we’ve had tons and tons of support.”

Under Eason’s ownership, the Opry House has become a vibrant community hub. Kayla Johnson, an employee at the Opry House, highlighted Eason’s contributions. 

“She’s doing all kinds of things in the community. She’s having the kids come in for movie nights with drinks and popcorn, she’s working on offering free music lessons and we just started open mic nights,” Johnson said. “There’s a lot of history at the Opry and she’s really trying to highlight that. She worked her tail off to get here.”

“Tracy is just one of those people you can’t not like. She does everything she can for everyone she meets,” Johnson added. “It’s all very family-oriented and the people here are like family. She just makes you enjoy being involved.”

As The Greenville Advocate Hero of the Week, Tracy Eason stands out for her unwavering dedication to her community and her ability to bring people together through music and shared experiences. Her journey from neonatal nursing to owning a cornerstone of Georgiana’s cultural life is a testament to her resilience and passion.

To nominate a an individual for Hero of the Week, please visit www.greenvilleadvocate.com/contests.