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Trace Adkins is Keepin’ it Country:
Category Archives: Opry
Kree Harrison To Make Opry Debut
It has been a huge week for Kree Harrison…
The American Idol finale was this week where she finished Top 2 and runner up to Candice Glover. Her debut single “All Cried Out” is available on iTunes. Today is her birthday (Happy Birthday, Kree). And earlier, she received some amazing news… she will be making her Grand Ole Opry debut!
The debut will take place on June 4th. Joining Kree on the Opry will be American Idol judge, Keith Urban. Other previous performers announced for that night include: Rascal Flatts, Kellie Pickler, and Lennon and Maisy from ABC’s Nashville. It sounds like it will be a great show!
The humbled singer was, of course, honored by the invitation:
“I’m speechless. It has been my lifelong dream to perform at the Grand Ole Opry. I am so honored to be invited!”
Congratulations, Kree! We are very excited for you and know you will have a great career. We look forward to following along.
“All Cried Out” iTunes link: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/all-cried-out-single/id648665235 …
Joel Crouse makes Opry debut
Massachusetts-born singer/songwriter Joel Crouse grew up listening to all genres of music, but it wasn’t until years later that he realized his favorites all had one similarity–the stories. It was at that moment, at the ripe age of 14, that Crouse first discovered his passion for country music. He immersed himself with the lyrics with one goal in mind: to be heard on the same country radio he grew up listening to. Little did he know someday one radio program in particular that he loved, Grand Ole Opry on 650 WSM AM, would feature his voice. Fast-forward to Saturday, May 11, 2013–one move to Nashville and a record deal later–the now-20 year old country crooner is well on his way having made his debut on the hallowed Grand Ole Opry stage.
He was overwhelmed playing on the historic stage, he explains:
“I was overwhelmed with emotions that I don’t even know how to describe. There’s something about the moment you step on its stage…for me, it was the first time I’ve truly felt like a part of the country music community. I’ll never forget that moment.”
Crouse was joined by his mother, father, sister, grandmother and friends as he waited side-stage for his name to be called by Opry member Jeannie Seely. Crouse then performed his self-penned “If You Want Some,” his current Top 40 single on Show Dog-Universal Music, and “That’s Why God Made Love Songs.”
He actually got some pretty cool advice from an Opry member before hitting the stage:
“I actually received some great advice from Darius [Rucker]. He said, ‘It’ll be surreal’ and to take it all in cause you won’t get another first time, and I really took that to heart.”
Crouse will step from the Opry stage to a Red stage as he joins Taylor Swift‘s Red Tour beginning May 28 in Glendale, Ariz. at Jobing Arena.
Opry brings back Easter Egg Hunt
For the second year, the Grand Ole Opry is teaming up with artists, radio stations, attractions, and other partners from across the country for a high-tech Easter Egg Hunt via Twitter this Friday, March 29. Prize eggs will be hidden around the Opry’s hometown of Nashville as well as in several mystery cities across the U.S., and fans will find clues to the eggs’ hiding spots by following @opry on Twitter throughout the day Friday.
Among the prizes up for grabs from the Opry and participating partners are tickets to see Alabama, Terri Clark, Kacey Musgraves, and more coming up at the Opry; autographed CDs and merchandise from several artists including Trace Adkins, Garth Brooks, Josh Turner, and Carrie Underwood; and more.
Fans will also be able to participate in a Virtual Opry Egg Hunt and enter for a chance to win a grand prize trip to Nashville by searching for virtual eggs throughout opry.com on Friday. Will you be joining in the hunt?
Chris Janson to make Opry Debut
Country singer Chris Janson is about to finally achieve a major milestone – his first Grand Ole Opry performance. Bigger Picture Group’s hot country newcomer and dynamic multi-instrumentalist Chris Janson will make his Grand Ole Opry debut this Friday, February 15. Janson will perform on the legendary stage his addictive new single “Better I Don’t,” which is quickly climbing up the charts and was the second most added song to country radio playlists nationwide the week of release.
“Words can’t describe how humbled I am, that I’ve been asked to play the Grand Ole Opry,” shares Janson. “This will be my greatest career highlight, hands down. Dreams do come true. I’m so grateful.”
Janson will join Josh Turner, Craig Morgan, The Black Lillies, Jimmy Dickens, John Conlee, Ricky Skaggs and more, in Friday’s lineup, which begins at 7:00 PM.
Alan Jackson to play Ryman in March
Country music legend Alan Jackson will be playing a headlining charity date at the historic Ryman Auditorium in Nashville on March 20th. The 5th annual “Stars Go Blue” event will feature a rare intimate and personal performance by Alan in support of the United States’ largest colon cancer patient advocacy fund – the Colon Cancer Alliance (CCA). All proceeds from Alan’s concert will benefit the organization.
In 2010, Alan’s wife Denise was diagnosed with colorectal cancer. He shares:
“It knocked us both down. It was so hard to watch her go through that. We were dating at 16 and 17, and I pretty much took care of her from that point on. But when it came to this, I felt like there wasn’t a thing I could do.”
Tickets for “Stars Go Blue” go on sale Fri., Jan. 18 at 10:00am Central and can be purchased at all Ticketmaster locations, Ryman Box Office, www.ryman.com and by calling 800-745-3000. Tickets are $75, $45 and $35.
Alan recently released a limited number of copies of his book Seasons of Sweetbriar – A Photographic Collection of Home by Alan Jackson. Seasons of Sweetbriar can be purchased through www.alanjackson.com for $25 or $50 for a book autographed by Alan, while supplies last. 100 percent of proceeds will be donated to the CCA’s Blue NoteFund.
Opry Goes Pink Announces Additional Performers
On Tuesday, October 30th, the Fourth Annual Opry Goes Pink event will take place. Kellie Pickler (a country artist who has already made a huge impact this year, shaving her head in honor of her friend who was going through chemotherapy to fight her battle with Breast Cancer) will flip the switch on the Opry’s barn backdrop, turning it pink for the night. The show will also include performances by The Farm, Mindy Smith, The Isaacs, Kristen Kelly, Jimmy Dickens, Sarah Darling and others. There will also be activities recognizing breast cancer survivors and the continuing fight against the disease. Five dollars from every ticket sold will be donated to Women Rock For The Cure. You can click here to buy your tickets to this event.
VIDEO: Darius Rucker Invited To Become Member of Opry
Darius Rucker had quite a surprise waiting for him at his Grand Ole Opry performance last night. The Hootie and the Blowfish front-man was asked to become a member of the Opry during a cute question-and-answer session during his performance. After pretending to be an “Opry” fan in the audience who had a two-part question, Brad Paisley asked Darius if he still thought he was the worst poker player in the world. Then he asked the “True Believers” singer if he wanted to become the latest member of the Opry.
Watch the moving video below and check out Darius’ reaction to the invitation. His induction will take place on October 16th.
PHOTOS: Loretta Lynn 50th Opry Anniversary
The Grand Ole Opry® presented by Humana® honored one of its most beloved members, Loretta Lynn, last night with a show celebrating her 50thOpry Anniversary. Leading up to Lynn’s closing performance, several of her friends took the stage throughout the night to honor her in words and song.
Among those performing their own hits as well as songs popularized by the guest of honor were Lee Ann Womack (“I Know How”), Crystal Gayle (“Don’t Come Home A- Drinkin’”), Miranda Lambert (“Honky Tonk Girl”), and Pistol Annies (“Fist City”), who made their Opry debut while Lynn sat cheering the group on from the front row of the Opry House.
After Lynn took the stage and performed her hits “They Don’t Make ‘Em Like My Daddy Anymore” and “You Ain’t Woman Enough,” Trace Adkins joined Lynn for the Conway Twitty/Lynn duet smash “Lead Me On.” Womack, Gayle, and the Pistol Annies then all filed on stage to join their musical hero in a rousing version of her signature song “Coal Miner’s Daughter.”
Before Lynn’s final song of the night, Johnathon Arndt of the famed Johnathon Arndt Gallery of Jewels along with Opry vice-president and general manager Pete Fisher, presented the Opry member with a congratulatory gift of a limited Johnathon Arndt 18 KT. pink gold and diamond Swiss timepiece. Lynn responded to the gift and to multiplest anding ovations from the crowd, saying:
“The greatest moment of my life was when they inducted me into the Grand Ole Opry. That’s a feeling you only feel once in a lifetime. And I’m glad I did.”
Check out some of the pictures from the night and let us know what your favorite album of Loretta’s is. Remember to click on the images to see them full-sized! All pictures are courtesy of the Opry / Chris Hollo.
(l-r) Pistol Annies, Crystal Gayle, Loretta Lynn, LeeAnn Womack.
Trace Adkins, Loretta Lynn.
See more pictures below:
Gaylord Entertainment Changing Name
If the sale to Marriott goes through as planned, Gaylord Entertainment will be using a new name for the brand and its properties. They will be highlighting their ownership of the historic Ryman Auditorium with their new name: Ryman Hospitality Properties Inc. That’s only if the $210 million USD deal is approved today by the shareholders.
With the impeding sale to Marriott, Gaylord Entertainment will give all rights of its properties, including its resort hotels, to the company – but will maintain ownership. They also recently announced plans to give the rights of General Jackson Showboat and the Wildhorse Saloon to Marriott. Gaylord Entertainment CEO Colin Reed has said repeatedly that they will still own and manage the Grand Ole Opry, the Ryman, and the Opry’s radio station – WSM-AM.
According to bizjournals.com, Gaylord has been quoted as wanting to turn into a real estate investment trust if shareholders approve.
AUDIO: Keith Urban Host New Opry Ads
Keith Urban is one busy guy lately. The newly-added American Idol judge is the voice of the Grand Ole Opry radio ads, which will start airing across the United States this week. In the ads, which there are three, they relive the moment when Trace Adkins announced Keith as a new member of the Opry, and Keith invites fans to come to the Show That Made Country Music Famous and to try out the new Opry mobile app.
Check out all three ads below and make sure to let us know what you think about Keith representing country music on Idol:
