Josie Waverly displays her most treasured memento of her road trip days, an autographed picture of Loretta Lynn with the inscription: "To Josie: Love you, Loretta Lynn."

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To making music on the road -- traveling from town to town, setting up, taking down and keeping the nightly performance fresh -- Josie Waverly says been there, done that.

Earlier this year, Waverly retired from the road -- tired of the travel, tired of the hassle, and relieved after a "cancer scare" turned out to be symptoms of stress.

"I think you know inside when it’s time to be done with something," Waverly said. "
I knew I was done with the road, but I wasn’t done singing."

So what’s a singer to do when she quits
her venue? She builds her own.

Josie’s Country Jukebox opened on Ridge Road in Parma on July 16. But it wasn’t built to be a showcase for Waverly’s acknowledged talent. Instead, Waverly opened the Jukebox as a showcase for other local country music talent.

"I wanted to have a place where people who like country music could come listen, watch and dance," Waverly said, "and a place where people who like to make country music could come and perform. It’s for everyone."

While Waverly currently performs two weekends a month and kicks off karaoke night on Thursdays, bringing in popular local talent, and singers and song writers just getting started is what Josie’s is all about.

In a sense, Waverly is right back where she started nearly 15 years ago. Josie’s is in the building that was occupied by the Pizza Pantry, a popular teenage hang-out in the late 1970s. She and husband Bob Reger, married nearly 21 years now, dated there. Her first gig was on New Year’s Eve 1987 with her band, Genuine Country, in the same building.

That was the beginning of a singing career that has seen Waverly travel the United States, perform with several of country music’s biggest stars and cut many recordings. But the Hilton native has always kept her roots back home.

She and Reger happened to drive by the old site last winter when it was for sale and Waverly’s idea for the Country Jukebox was born. The couple went to work on the plans, (Reger is a contractor), and by mid-summer they had turned a building that would have been conservatively labeled "needs a little work" into a restaurant-club that any performer would be proud to call their own.

Decorated with many photos from Waverly’s career and other country memorabilia, Josie’s Country Jukebox boasts a large stage, sound box, dance floor, plentiful dining room seating, a bar and a game room.

A full menu is offered for lunches served from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Some of the menu items include a pulled pork sandwich with a "special" barbecue sauce, Italian pasta salad, and country chicken in a basket. Chili is available every day along with a soup of the day. Basic grub is available even outside the regular lunch hours -- burgers, hots, wings, sausage and assorted "sides."

As plentiful as the lunch menu is the special events schedule. Tuesdays are senior citizen’s days with 10 percent off. Seniors can also take advantage of Line Dance and Lunch which includes a one hour dance lesson followed by lunch for one price of $8.95.

Tuesday nights set the scene for the "Song Shop." Songwriters take turns sharing their musical works -- country, folk, blues and bluegrass.

On Wednesdays a DJ provides the music for the open dance floor and country dance teacher Lynnora hosts country dance lessons. Thursday night is karaoke night. Friday and Saturday nights feature live entertainment. Upcoming performances include the Boothill Band on November 17 and 18 and Josie with the JB’n Company band on November 24 and 25.

Sundays offer different types of entertainment. November 12 and December 3, are Family Fun Sundays. From 4 to 8 p.m., families can enjoy kids karaoke and country line dancing, a magic show and karate demonstration, face painting, balloon characters and a sign language lesson. The six dollar fee (children three and under are free) includes pizza and soda.

Some Sundays, November 19 and December 10 are Singles Sundays. A DJ provides dance music from 6 to 11 p.m. There are cover charges for some of the activities.

One of the most surprising things about Josie’s is its smoke-free environment. There is no smoking inside -- not in the bar, not in the game room, not anywhere. A "smoke shack" is provided outside the back entrance.

Waverly is appreciative of all the support she has from her family, friends and fans. It wasn’t just she and Bob that gutted and remodeled the Country Jukebox, many friends volunteered their time to help out.

"When I talk about Josie Waverly it’s not just me," she said, "it’s a whole picture … the band, my husband and kids, my friends."

One of those is life-long friend Jill Wirth who is Josie’s head cook. Wirth has long supported Waverly’s career and said, "Josie’s gifted. She can see beyond what’s apparent and see the potential, whether it’s this place or other performers."

Next year, Waverly plans to do an occasional outside performance -- at local fairs and festivals. But she’s pretty content providing a place where local country music fans and performers can enjoy good music.

"Our number one rule here is have fun," Waverly said. "I’ve had a great ride so far and this is going to be one, too."