NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The show that made country music famous saluted the veterans of Desert Storm with a red carpet parade and annual Salute the Troops Opry performance on Tuesday night (5/23). Performers and patrons cheered on the veterans as they walked the carpet outside the Opry House before the show. Tuesday’s performance included Trace Adkins, Terri Clark, Dailey & Vincent, Charlie Daniels Band, Paul Shaffer, Chris Young, and more, including the Opry return of the MusiCorps Wounded Warrior Band. Shaffer joined the MusiCorps band for a collaboration on “Wagon Wheel,” and will be back in Nashville for a show at the historic Ryman Auditorium June 9.
Throughout the evening, fans learned of the heroic actions of Desert Storm veterans as well as the National Desert Storm War Memorial Association’s work to build the National Desert Storm Memorial in Washington D.C. Over half a million American servicemen and women served in Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm, making it the largest American war of the 20th Century without a memorial in Washington, D.C. currently. The memorial, although approved by Congress, will be built entirely through donations.
Among other artists coming soon to the Opry stage are Kelsea Ballerini, Brandy Clark, Roy Clark, Sara Evans, Jason Isbell, Chris Janson, Alison Krauss, Dustin Lynch, Del McCoury Band, Parmalee, Charley Pride, Rascal Flatts, Ricky Skaggs, Blake Shelton, Carrie Underwood, and more.