Hopkins Couple Brings Life, Laughter, and Live Music to Downtown Newport

By Amanda Reynolds

Jason & Pamela Hopkins

If you’ve walked past Front Street in downtown Newport recently, chances are you’ve caught a tune, a chuckle, or the inviting aroma of something sizzling from The Angry Possum. Opened on May 10, 2023, the lively restaurant and bar is the brainchild of Jason and Pamela Hopkins, a couple whose story is as colorful as the name of their establishment.

Jason Hopkins is no stranger to Newport. A proud Jackson County native and 1993 graduate of Newport High School, Jason returned to his roots after a long and decorated career in public service. He and Pamela met while attending the University of Central Arkansas in Conway and married in 1997. Both went on to pursue careers in law enforcement, with the bulk of their service spent with the Sherwood Police Department. Jason eventually retired from both law enforcement and the fire department in 2017, capping off a 31-year career.

The couple raised their three children; Farrah, Brayden, and Jace in Vilonia but now reside on peaceful acreage in Greenbrier when not in Newport running The Angry Possum. While their home life offers serenity, their professional lives are anything but quiet.

Pamela, who holds a master’s degree in education, taught for five years before leaving education to work for Balfour. Anyone who has graduated from high school is familiar with the company who supplies most caps, gowns, invitations, and yearbooks for seniors. Pamela recruited Jason to Balfour and the couple stayed with the company until 2023.

Pamela’s true passion lies in music. She is the lead singer of Pamela Hopkins and the Squirrel Train Band, which performs one to three times a month. When not with the band, Pamela often showcases her talents as a dueling piano player across the midsouth and entertains audiences aboard Norwegian Cruise ships. Her long-time friend and bandmate of over 30 years, Lonnie Abbott, is pictured with the couple and is a business partner in ventures beyond The Angry Possum, proving that their creative partnership extends well beyond the stage.

When asked what she loves most about Jason’s hometown, Pamela didn’t hesitate. “The people are a joy, and the pace of small-town America is the perfect way to rest from the busyness of the music industry,” she said. With its welcoming atmosphere, hearty food, and the occasional live performance, The Angry Possum has quickly become more than just a place to grab a drink but a gathering spot filled with heart, harmony, and a bit of Southern sass.

For Newport, that’s music to everyone’s ears.