Opry 85: Celebrate!
Online Press Kit
Get ready for a birthday party, Opry-style! One-of-a-kind cakes and special shows are on tap as the show that made country music famous celebrates its 85th birthday throughout the summer and fall with country music’s most popular artists and biggest fans.
Among the highlights of a banner year:
One-of-a-kind Guitar Jam on May 25: Grand Ole Opry superstars Vince Gill, Brad Paisley, Ricky Skaggs, and Steve Wariner are picking up their guitars and hitting the Opry stage Tues., May 25 to officially launch a months-long celebration of the Opry’s 85th birthday with an all-star guitar jam. The night will light the fuse on a celebration to continue throughout the year as the show that made country music famous celebrates its 85th birthday with country music’s most popular artists and biggest fans. Click here for the full press release.
Star-packed shows: Grand Ole Opry performances are scheduled for three days a week this summer (Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday). Opry Country Classics returns on Thursdays, celebrating the most treasured songs in Opry and country music history. Among those visiting the Opry for the 85th are everyone from recent Opry member additions such as Carrie Underwood, Montgomery Gentry, and Dierks Bentley, to Opry legends including 60+-year Opry member Jimmy Dickens, Charley Pride, and Loretta Lynn.
Country Comes Home September 28: The Opry, displaced from its permanent home due to May's historic Nashville flood, will return to the Grand Ole Opry House with a star-packed show Tuesday, September 28. Among the artists scheduled for the show are Trace Adkins, Jason Aldean, Dierks Bentley, Charlie Daniels Band, Diamond Rio, Jimmy Dickens, Del McCoury Band, Montgomery Gentry, Brad Paisley, Blake Shelton, Mel Tillis, and Josh Turner. The show will air live on GAC: Great American Country.
Spirit of Nashville Day Oct. 2: The Opry will celebrate Nashville's spirit and resilience since the flood by inviting its hometown to get an up-close look at the newly renovated Opry House during a full day of free tours five months to the day following the flood. There will be much to see, including a new artist entrance area, 18 uniquely-themed dressing rooms, and more, including the famed circle of wood center stage. The Nashville celebration will spill into the Opry Plaza with free music throughout the day, including a performance by hit-making new group The Band Perry.
85th Birthday Bash Oct. 8 and 9: Three weekend shows, backstage tours, an afternoon salute to country comedy show featuring Mike Snider with T. Bubba Bechtol, and all-day fun in the Opry Plaza including a free Opry Plaza Party.
Opry Goes Pink Oct. 15: Country Music's legendary duo, The Judds, will take the stage to "flip the switch," turning the Opry's signature barn backdrop pink in support of breast cancer awareness month. The 2nd Annual "Opry Goes Pink" event benefits Women Rock For The CureTM and the Greater Nashville affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure®. Fans are encouraged to mention the code OPRYPINK when purchasing their tickets, as $5 from the sale of each ticket will be donated to these non-profit organizations that have joined the fight against breast cancer.
Be Our Guest: The Opry has for years welcomed famous fans from all walks of life to its stage, including every U.S. President from Richard Nixon through George W. Bush. In celebration of the Opry's 85th, celebrities will appear as guest announcers while the show will also launch an "I'm With The Band" series, featuring personalities from outside the country world who have an interest in music to sit in with the Opry band for a song on country music's most revered stage. Among those scheduled to visit are Oscar-winner Kevin Costner and actress Kimberly Williams-Paisley.
More information about artist line-ups and special events will be updated as it becomes available at opry.com. The Grand Ole Opry® is presented by Humana®.