by Tom Chillemi –
Lynda Smith Greve, lead singer in the eight-piece party band 7th Street, grew up in a musical family. At the age of 2, she first sang on stage at Donk’s Theater, “Virginia’s Li’l Ole Opry.” She’s been singing there ever since.
She will return to emcee the Saturday night shows when the schedule resumes at the Mathews High School auditorium. The original venue collapsed under weight of snow in 2016.
Lynda’s father, Jimmy Smith, came up with the idea to put on music shows in the empty movie theater in Mathews. He had been to Nashville and seen the Ryman Auditorium, home of the Grand Ole Opry, and the first seed was planted in his mind. He and wife, Carolyn, would drive past the old movie theater on the way to church each Sunday and he often commented that it was a shame that nobody was doing anything with that old building.
Music expresses our happiness through dancing and singing. Music can help us express sadness when we need to heal. It can express anger, sentiment, love, jealousy, silliness, pain and so much more, when we often cannot let out our feelings through any other means. It has been a true blessing in my life, no matter what I am going through at the time.
Jimmy gathered one of his sisters, Harriet Ann Farmer, and one of his many nieces, Joanna Mullis, to be his partners in the business. After a lot of work by family members, friends and passersby, the old building came back to life and the roots of a country music show in Mathews County started growing. The first show opened in June 1975. Lynda first sang on that stage that same year in December. She is now president of the Donk’s Theater company and runs the business with her mom, after her dad’s sudden passing in March 2019.
Lynda Smith Greve lives in Mathews with her husband and their two sons. She’s a graduate of Mathews High School and Christopher Newport University.
How did you get started singing?
I think I came out of the womb singing. My dad used to say I cried a lot when I was a baby, which developed my lungs for singing. I guess he was right. My mom and dad, Jimmy and Carolyn Smith, along with my older brother, Richard, often were asked to sing at churches in the area, so I would go too and I always had a part in the performance. Mom would tell the church to let us go first because I would usually fall asleep during the service. Once my dad started Donk’s Theater in Mathews, my family’s country music theater, I started singing there at age 2.
What are your favorite songs, music types?
I have sung thousands of songs of all types of music throughout my life, but my first love is country. I love rock and roll, religious music, broadway tunes, just about everything. I have tried to pin down a favorite song, but there are just too many!
What bands are you singing with?
Other than the Donk’s Theater band, I am also performing in a band called 7th Street, which is an eight-piece party band that highlights Motown, disco, beach and classic rock.
Who is in the 7th Street?
Steve Henry on drums, Frank Pitchford on lead guitar, Richard Eanes on bass guitar, Mike Gleason on keyboards, Chris Smalls on male lead vocals, Wally Gayle on trumpet and Tyler Harney on saxophone, and I’m lead singer.
How did the band form?
Frank, Mike, Chris and Wally were all with the original “Slapwater” band from the 70s through the 90s. After tiring of the every night grind, they reunited with childhood friends, Richard and Steve, and formed this new band. Richard had been playing in my country band and he brought me over to this one too.
How long has it been together?
We’ve been together for more than 10 years now.
Where are you based?
Most of the guys live in the Yorktown area.
Why do you think music is such a universal joy?
I believe music is a joy because it’s an expression of ourselves. Music expresses our happiness through dancing and singing. Music can help us express sadness when we need to heal. It can express anger, sentiment, love, jealousy, silliness, pain and so much more, when we often cannot let out our feelings through any other means. It has been a true blessing in my life, no matter what I am going through at the time.
What music do people want to hear these days?
The old stuff that you can really dance to!
