The Grand Ole Opry kicked off its centennial celebration with a dazzling three-hour event at Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium, one of its former homes.
The evening brought together an iconic lineup of Opry cast members, including the legendary “Whisperin’” Bill Anderson, who was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1961. Anderson, alongside fellow Hall of Famers such as session musician Charlie McCoy, renowned songwriter Don Schlitz, and vocal powerhouse Connie Smith, graced the stage to mark the beginning of the Opry’s next 100 years.
Other notable performances included Opry members Mandy Barnett and Craig Morgan, the acclaimed bluegrass group The Travelin’ McCourys, and Charlie Worsham, who was recently named the Country Music Association’s Musician of the Year.
The celebration paid tribute to country music’s enduring legacy, emphasizing the profound truth behind its timeless songs. Rather than simply echoing the famous “three chords and the truth” phrase coined by Harlan Howard in the 1950s, the evening focused on a deeper connection to country music’s roots. Throughout the night’s eight mini-sets, the music was infused with a sense of humility, gratitude, and a reverence for the power of song, proving that the soul of country music remains as strong as ever.
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