The Grand Ole Opry is officially celebrating its 100th birthday on Wednesday, March 19th with a 3-hour television special on NBC. It really speaks to both the cultural impact and longevity of country music’s most storied institution that 100 years after its founding, it’s still relevant enough to put on TV, and for three hours. This might be one of the most important country music moments of the year, or perhaps, in history. We don’t know exactly what we’ll get from the Opry’s 100th birthday until it broadcasts. Will we get to see a lot of the country legends that make up the majority of the actual Opry performances for more than brief appearances, or since it’s on broadcast television, will it be a cavalcade of recognizable, major label names that some will be excited to see, but that doesn’t really represent the Opry?
For example, Blake Shelton was one of the first big names that was announced for the special, and will be the official host. But as has been reported for many years, Shelton is notorious for NOT performing on the Grand Ole Opry in accordance with the obligations requested of permanent members. And though Post Malone and Jelly Roll have been confirmed, you don’t see a name like Tyler Childers, who’s enjoyed multiple Opry moments and is majorly popular, or country music’s fastest-rising star Zach Top.
The Confirmed Names of Opry Members Scheduled to Appear Include:
Trace AdkinsDierks BentleyClint BlackGarth BrooksSteven Curtis ChapmanTerri ClarkVince GillAlan JacksonJamey JohnsonAlison Krauss & Union StationAshley McBrydeReba McEntireCarly PearceBlake SheltonRicky SkaggsMarty StuartRandy TravisTravis TrittCarrie Underwood
Trisha Yearwood
The Confirmed Names of Opry Members making “Special Appearances” Include: Lauren AlainaBill AndersonSara EvansChris JansonDustin LynchScotty McCreeryJeannie Seely
Member Performing/Appearing in Pre-Recorded Moments from The Ryman:
Brad PaisleyLuke CombsKelsea BalleriniKeith Urban Lainey WilsonCrystal GayleBarbara Mandrell
Non Members Scheduled to Appear/Perform:
Yolanda AdamsEric ChurchJelly RollAmy GrantPost MaloneThe War and Treaty The names you don’t see announced so far are long-time Opry performers and members Riders In The Sky, The Oak Ridge Boys, Pam Tillis, Jeanne Pruett, Connie Smith, T. Graham Brown, Gene Watson, Old Crow Medicine Show, Josh Turner, and others. Maybe they will appear. Or maybe not, while we get strong doses of Post Malone and Jelly Roll. Speaking of, there is also a good chance we will see an invitation to someone to become a Grand Ole Opry member on the presentation. There is also a good chance that might be Jelly Roll. The War and Treaty is another strong possibility. Or both. If Jelly Roll does become the next Opry member on the presentation, it might sully the entire experience for many of the Opry’s actual country fans no matter what else happens during the presentation.
What else will the night have in store?
• Reba McEntire is set to pay tribute to Patsy Cline and Loretta Lynn.
• Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood will toast George Jones and Tammy Wynette.
• Carly Pearce will honor Dolly Parton.
• Marty Stuart and Lainey Wilson will sing a Hank Williams classic.
• Post Malone and Travis Tritt will double up on “T-R-O-U-B-L-E.”
• Jelly Roll and Ashley McBryde will tribute Johnny Cash and June Carter.
• Kelsea Ballerini will sing “I Was Country When Country Wasn’t Cool” for Barbara Mandrell, and Keith Urban will sing “Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue” for Crystal Gayle.
• Aloe Blacc and The McCrary Sisters will honor Charley Pride with “Kiss An Angel Good Morning.”
• Alan Jackson with perform “Chattahoochee,” and Luke Combs will sing “Hurricane.”
The backdrop for the broadcast of the Opry’s 100th Birthday is NBC Universal purchasing a 30% stake in the Opry’s parent company, Ryman Hospitality, in April of 2022. Ever since then, the two companies have attempted to “unlock synergies” between the two brands to mixed results.
The primary collaborations between the two companies so far has been the somewhat failed “Peoples Choice Country Awards.” With the crowded landscape of country award shows, and the show’s inability to attract top talent, the PCCA’s (awkward acronym) have struggled, with ratings dropping 18% in 2024 to a 0.3 rating and 3rd Place on the night.
The Grand Ole Opry has become the longest running live broadcast show in the world, featuring weekly performances from established country music artists and regularly featuring and supporting rising artists. The Grand Ole Opry originally launched in 1925 as a radio broadcast. The Ryman Auditorium was home to the Grand Ole Opry from 1943 to 1974, before the Opry moved to the Opry House east of downtown in March 1974. Stay tuned to Saving Country Music for further coverage of the Grand Ole Opry 100th Special.
This story has been updated with performance information.
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