On March 19, NBC will air “Opry 100: A Live Celebration” in celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Grand Ole Opry. Blake Shelton will host the special live from the iconic country music venue.
Along with Shelton, the special will feature performances from Opry members Ashley McBryde, Brad Paisley, Carly Pearce, Carrie Underwood, Clint Black, Dierks Bentley, Garth Brooks, Kelsea Ballerini, Lainey Wilson, Luke Combs, Marty Stuart, Reba McEntire, Trace Adkins, Trisha Yearwood and Vince Gill, as well as a special appearance from Randy Travis. Opry “fan favorites” including Amy Grant, Eric Church, Jelly Roll and the War and Treaty will also perform, with more Opry members and guests yet to be announced.
The special will be telecast from two locations — the Grand Ole Opry House that has been home to the weekly broadcasts since 1974, and Nashville’s venerable “Mother Church,” the Ryman Auditorium, which hosted the show for decades prior to that and still hosts the Opry for a handful of dates each winter.
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Tickets for the Opry House and Ryman performances go on sale Friday at 10 a.m. CT, with presales for Opry subscribers beginning Thursday at 10, both at http://www.opry.com.
Baz Halpin, Mark Bracco and Linda Gierahn will executive produce the special for Silent House Productions, with R.A. Clark and Steve Buchanan also executive producing.
“Becoming a member of the Opry is a highlight of my life and career, and 15 years later I still get that same feeling of reverence and excitement every time I walk out on that stage,” Shelton said. “The Grand Ole Opry has been connecting the country music family for 100 years, and I’m so proud to be part of this historic celebration.”
“We’re pleased to partner with our Grand Ole Opry members to create a truly unforgettable evening as we kick off the Opry’s 100th year,” said Opry Entertainment Group CEO Patrick Moore. “This special night of programming will connect millions of country music fans to the magic of the Opry, and we hope it inspires them to join us in Nashville as we celebrate this milestone all year long.”
“It’s a true privilege to be a part of celebrating 100 years of the Grand Ole Opry, an iconic stage that has welcomed so many legendary artists who’ve shaped the heart of country music,” said Bracco, who serves as Silent House Productions’ president. “We’re humbled and honored to help bring this historic moment to life, paying tribute to the voices and stories that have made the Opry an enduring symbol of musical history.”