Grand Ole Opry's Month-long
80th Birthday Plans

The Grand Ole Opry presented by Cracker Barrel Old Country Store will be celebrating its 80^th Birthday throughout the month of October with several have-to-be-there events.

 

The month kicked off with a bang as Dierks Bentley became the Opry’s newest and youngest current member on Oct. 1. The following weekend (Oct. 7-8) saw performances by Darryl Worley, Trent Willmon, Jack Ingram, the Del McCoury Band, and more.

 

The Opry will continue to celebrate its 80^th Birthday with one show Tues., Oct. 11 and two shows both Friday and Saturday nights, Oct. 14 and 15 (6:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.). Tuesday’s show features Trace Adkins, Terri Clark, Del McCoury, and more, while Friday evening’s shows include Lee Greenwood, John Michael Montgomery, Opry members Bill Anderson, Alison Krauss, The Whites, and many more.  Saturday’s shows will include appearances by Diamond Rio, Ralph Stanley, Josh Turner, Travis Tritt, Steve Wariner, and Garth Brooks, who remains retired from performing, but is participating in the 80^th Celebration to pay tribute to the Opry and its heritage.

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. Willard Scott (“Today Show”) will serve as an Opry guest announcer on Oct. 15.

 

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 and to provide encouragement and hope for all.

 

On Oct. 14 and 15 the Opry Plaza stage will be brimming with music.  Performances on the 14^th are from 5:30 – 9:45 p.m. and include Robbie Fulks. Saturday shows are from 2:30 – 9:15 p.m. and include Catherine Britt, Ray Scott, Lane Turner, and Little Big Town.

 

In addition, fans can make a full day of fun on Oct. 15 (see schedule below), as the Opry Plaza will be overflowing with birthday activities.  An Opry Birthday picnic will offer music, fun, and special events beginning at 11:30 a.m.  The Wildhorse Saloon will offer its award-winning barbecue, and fans will have an opportunity to purchase a dessert that was baked using an Opry member’s recipe during the Opry’s Benefit Pie Auction at 12 noon. 

 

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 an autograph session with some of the Opry stars and 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 latest addition to its 80^th Anniversary Signature Series, Timeless Opry, is set for Sat., Oct. 22.  The evening’s entire hour-long Grand Ole Opry Live show on GAC: Great American Country will feature Martina McBride performing classic country songs from her upcoming album Timeless, in stores Oct. 18, while other Opry members and guest artist will also perform some of their all-time favorite country classics throughout the evening.

 

Brad Paisley, Wynonna, Rhonda Vincent, and more will hit the Opry stage on October 29.

 

5:30 p.m. – 9:45 p.m. -- Opry Plaza 80^th Birthday Party --The Opry rolls out its summertime Opry Plaza Party stage for free concerts on the Opry Plaza by Robbie Fulks and others in celebration of the Opry’s big 80^th!

 

6:30 p.m.  – 9:00 p.m. -- First Opry show *

9:30 p.m. – 12:00 p.m. -- Second Opry show *

 

8:30 a.m.  – 11:00 a.m. -- Opry House Backstage Tours * -- Take a self-guided behind-the-scenes tour of country music’s most famous show

10:00 a.m.  – 3:00 p.m. -- Children’s Activities including pony rides, face painting, birthday fun house, balloon clowns, and more  

 

11:30 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. -- Wildhorse Saloon serving barbecue in Opry Plaza *

 

12:00 p.m. -- Opry Homecoming Pie Auction ** -- bid on great desserts prepared using your favorite country artists’ recipes as well as other items donated by Terri Clark, Little Jimmy Dickens, Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, and Martha White

 

1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. -- Bill Monroe Bluegrass Celebration (Opry House) *  -- bluegrass greats The Osborne Brothers, The Grascals, Ralph Stanley, Larry Sparks, and more treat Opry fans to that high lonesome sound

 

2:30 p.m. – 9:15 p.m. -- Opry Plaza 80^th Birthday Party -- The Opry Plaza Party stage to showcase some of Nashville’s favorite new artists with free concerts on the Opry Plaza in celebration of the Opry’s big 80^th!

2:30pm         Catherine Britt

5:15pm         Ray Scott

6:45pm         Lane Turner

8:15pm         Little Big Town

 

6:30 p.m.  – 9:00 p.m. -- First Opry show *

9:30 p.m. – 12:00 p.m. -- Second Opry show *

 

* Admission Charged  **Proceeds benefit the Grand Ole Opry Trust Fund, assisting members of the country music community in need.