NASHVILLE, TN (Grand Ole Opry announcement) - The Grand Ole Opry's 80th Anniversary will be featured on The Today Show (NBC) this Friday, Oct. 14 and also on the Nightly News with Brian Williams (NBC). The Today Show crew was on site at the Opry for the special Country Reaches Out: An Opry Benefit for the American Red Cross on Sept. 27 and also on Oct. 1 for Dierks Bentley's Opry induction. The feature will show highlights of the Opry's 80-year history and focus on its future.
This weekend the Opry celebrates its 80th with two shows Friday and Saturday nights, Oct. 14 and 15 (6:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.). Friday evening's shows include Opry members Alison Krauss, Bill Anderson, The Whites, and many more along with special guests Lee Greenwood, Carolyn Dawn Johnson, John Michael Montgomery, and more. Saturday's sold-out shows will include The Today Show's Willard Scott as an Opry guest announcer as well as appearances by Diamond Rio, Ralph Stanley, Josh Turner, Travis Tritt, Steve Wariner, and more, including Garth Brooks, who remains retired from performing, but is participating in the 80th Celebration to pay tribute to the Opry and its heritage. Wariner, Brooks, Tritt, and Diamond Rio will appear on a special Birthday Bash version of Grand Ole Opry Live on GAC: Great American Country at 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. Central. Birthday gifts from Opry sponsors Cracker Barrel Old Country Store and Martha White as well as television retailer Shop At Home will be waiting for artists in their dressing rooms Saturday night.
During the Saturday 6:30 p.m. show, a larger than life bronze statue of Minnie Pearl will be unveiled before going on to its permanent home in Pearl's hometown of Centerville, TN during her birthday week of Oct. 25. The statue was designed and sculpted by world-renowned artist Bill Rains and commissioned by Rod and Jennifer Harris of Centerville to remind people of Pearl's inspirational and giving spirit.
The Bill Monroe Bluegrass Celebration will be held Oct. 15 from 1 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. including performances by Shawn Camp, Melanie Cannon, The Grascals, Larry Sparks, Osborne Brothers, and Ralph Stanley.
Additional Oct. 15 activities include strolling entertainment and hands-on fun for children from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Proceeds from select Plaza activities will be donated to the Opry Trust Fund, which supports those in need in Nashville's country music community. Saturday's highlights also include self-guided, behind-the-scenes tours that will give Opry fans an up-close look at the Opry House from 8:30 a.m. – Noon.
The Opry will host free Opry Plaza 80th Birthday Parties both Friday and Saturday. Friday's featured performers are John England and the Western Swingers and Robbie Fulks, from 5:30pm – 9:45pm. On Saturday performances begin at 2:30pm with Catherine Britt, 5:15pm Ray Scott, 6:45pm Lane Turner, and 8:15pm Little Big Town.
The Grand Ole Opry is presented by Cracker Barrel Old Country Store. Grand Ole Opry, Bill Monroe Bluegrass Celebration, and Opry Birthday packages are available by calling 615-871-OPRY or 800-SEE-OPRY or by visiting www.opry.com. Artists and schedules are subject to change.
