Show Welcomes First In-Person Audience to the Opry House Since March
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Grand Ole Opry kicked off its month-long 95th anniversary celebration last night with performances by Opry members Dierks Bentley, Terri Clark, Vince Gill and Lorrie Morgan. The Opry welcomed back a limited in-venue audience of 500 guests for the first time in 29 weeks since shows were paused in March amidst the COVID pandemic. The audience was made up largely of fans who had previously held tickets for the show and was made possible as the Opry complied with operating plans developed in collaboration with the Nashville Public Health Department.
Each of the artists shared emotions on how wonderful it felt to play music before a crowd again. Vince said, “It’s like having a conversation again. That’s what happens when you stand up and sing a song and someone listens and responds. It’s just beautiful to hear that kind conversation coming back to us.”
Lorrie said, “It’s a magical feeling up here tonight. I’m so elated to be here. We do appreciate you being here more than you will ever know.”
After her first song Terri commented, “I didn’t know if I would walk out and see people in the audience and burst into tears or not. But I am so joyful to be a part of this tonight. I played the Opry in April without an audience and it was haunting. I am truly so moved to be a part of another historical moment on the Opry’s 95th birthday.”
Dierks, who celebrated his 15th year as an Opry member this week, commented backstage before the show how much he was looking forward to playing music again no matter the size of the crowd. “500 is the new 50,000!” he proclaimed.
At the request of the Opry, each of the performers on the show tonight picked a song by an Opry artist who had inspired them. Vince performed songs by Roy Acuff, Jimmy C. Newman, and Mac Davis; Lorrie paid homage to Skeeter Davis; Terri performed a Barbara Mandrell favorite, and Dierks chose a song by Faron Young.
The show concluded with the four Opry members on stage together singing the standard “Will The Circle Be Unbroken” while images of each of their fellow Opry members scrolled behind them on the screen in the Opry’s signature barn set.
In continuation of the 95th anniversary celebration, the Opry’s plans include a series of shows, livestreams, events, sweepstakes, special retail packages and more throughout the month of October. The Grand Ole Opry has survived and kept the music playing for 95 years even through world wars, the Great Depression, floods, and now a pandemic.
Tickets for remaining October shows are on sale NOW at www.opry.com
October 10: “Opry Firsts”: Celebrating Opry debuts and other firsts on the Opry stage. Niko Moon (Debut), Carly Pearce, Jeannie Seely, Josh Turner
October 17: “95 Years of Great Opry Songs”: Celebrating top songs and those who wrote them. Bill Anderson, Mandy Barnett, Brandy Clark, Chris Janson, Don Schlitz
October 24: “Opry Goes Pink”: The Opry’s 12th Annual Show Supporting the Fight Against Breast Cancer | Lauren Alaina, Little Big Town, Victoria Shaw
October 31: Clint Black, Steve Wariner
Opry shows are broadcast live on Circle and Gray TV stations, DISH Studio Channel 102, Sling TV, and other TV affiliates in addition to a companion live stream on Circle All Access Facebook, YouTube and Twitter as well as new streaming distribution partnerships with Roku, Inc., Samsung TV Plus, VIZIO SmartCast® and XUMO that will connect approximately 76 million additional users. The Opry can also be heard on 650 WSM-AM, wsmonline.com, and SiriusXM. Those tuning into the Livestream on Circle All Access YouTube, Twitter and Facebook channels each Saturday can watch a Circle Sessions at 7:30 PM ET/ 6:30 PM CT immediately prior to the Opry.