New York, NY (Top40 Charts) The Grand Ole Opry, the world's longest-running radio show, today announced Grand Ole Opry members Garth Brooks,
Dustin Lynch,
Darius Rucker and
Trisha Yearwood will join the star-studded lineup for its historic 5,000th Saturday night broadcast on October 30, 2021. Previously announced performers include Bill Anderson, Terri Clark, Vince Gill, Chris Janson, Jeannie Seely, Connie Smith, The Gatlin Brothers and Chris Young.
The Opry's 5,000th Saturday night broadcast milestone includes a month of celebrations, a limited-time exhibit and a night of unforgettable performances on the legendary Opry stage. The first of the night's two ticketed shows will be available to stream live on Circle Network, including its Circle All
Access Facebook, Twitter and YouTube channel.
WSM
Radio began to air the show that would become the Grand Ole Opry in 1925 before expanding to television and eventually digital streaming platforms. The Opry has been on the airwaves longer than any other broadcast program of any medium anywhere in the world and has continued to produce original shows for 5,000 Saturday nights through the Great Depression, World War II, two Nashville floods and, most recently, a global pandemic.
"I think we all long for something that we can hang onto that gives us a source of comfort, a source of steadiness and something we can count on," said Opry Member Marty
Stuart at the August kickoff event for the Opry 5,000th. "In the midst of turmoil and the best of times, that circle has seen it all… the Opry has proven itself to be this indelible kind of thing that not only America, but the globe can count on - that on Saturday night, there's a beam of goodness that, if you find it, you're going to plug into that. It makes a difference in your heart."
To further celebrate its legacy, the Opry launched a limited-time exhibit, Opry Memories: Celebrating 5,000 Saturday Night Broadcasts, that takes guests on a journey through the past almost 100 years. inception of WSM and the first Opry broadcasts and continues forward covering special moments from milestone broadcast eras of 1,000 broadcasts up to present day. The exhibit features artifacts and photos from current Opry members including Luke Combs, Dolly Parton, Carly Pearce,
Trisha Yearwood and many others, as well as items from some of the Opry's earliest stars including Roy Acuff, DeFord Bailey, Minnie Pearl, and more.
Since its inception, the Opry has helped launch the careers of countless iconic artists and continues to recognize and foster new talent alongside some of country music's most legendary performers. With the help of Circle, the Opry is reaching its largest audiences to date, earning the #1 spot on Pollstar's Top 100 Livestreamers Chart across all genres for 2020. Opry Live can be found on Circle via Peacock, DISH Network, Redbox, Roku, Inc., Samsung TV Plus, VIZIO SmartCast, XUMO and STIRR, bringing its country lifestyle programming to millions more through TVs, smartphones and tablets.
The Grand Ole Opry's month-long celebration of the historic 5,000th Saturday night broadcast is presented by Humana and sponsored by Tecovas, GEICO and Jewelry Television. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit Opry.com/5000.
