Keepin' it Country Media & Radio » Grand Ole Opry

Carrie Underwood Celebrates Five-Year Anniversary as Grand Ole Opry Member

Nicole Piering — Sat, 08 Jun 2013 20:32:59 +0000

Carrie Underwood celebrated a career milestone last night with her five-year anniversary as a member of the Grand Ole Opry. The Opry honored Underwood last night with a video presentation highlighting her incredible five-year run.

Underwood said, “It’s so hard to believe it’s been five years, but what an amazing five years it has been. Just watching that video, I was getting a little teary-eyed, thinking about how I felt when all of that was happening. And I still feel that blessed and that honored to be on this stage.”

As a token of the event, the Grammy Winner was presented with a commemorative print by Opry Vice President and General Manager Pete Fisher. He said, “You have far surpassed the high expectations we had when we brought you into the family, and we know it is going to continue into the future. You are not only so good for country music, you are so good for the Grand Ole Opry, and you are so good for America. We appreciate all that you do.”

Underwood will return to the Opry stage on July 5 & 6, 2013.

Photos by Joel Dennis.

Sarah Darling Meets Her Musical Hero

Jennifer Swirsky — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 13:44:59 +0000

Country music starlet Sarah Darling attended the premiere of “For the Love of Music…The Story of Nashville” during the Nashville Film Festival and just so happened to run in to one of her most-admired musical heroes, Joy Williams of The Civil Wars.

Darling posed for a photo with the GRAMMY Award-winning artist and then she tweeted “I met Joy from @thecivilwars last night! My favorite singer ever!”

The experience was an “honor,” Darling says, and adds that her big-screen debut in the film, which showcased one of her performances at the historic Grand Ole Opry, certainly was too. “To be featured in the film alongside so many talented artists in this town was truly humbling for me. I’m glad I could play a part in showcasing such an amazing city.”

Darling also commented on the film’s anticipated premiere in Tuesday’s issue of The Tennessean. “I couldn’t be more excited, because the doors are wide open for all kinds of musicians [here in Nashville],” she says. “If you have a passion for music, you should be here.”

Celebrating the success of her latest single, “Home To Me,” which has sold over 100,000 downloads and climbing, Darling is currently out with Scotty McCreery on tour as part of his Weekend Roadtrip Tour.

Opry brings back Easter Egg Hunt

Lydia Picknell — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 15:09:30 +0000

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?

Gaylord Entertainment Changing Name

Lydia Picknell — Wed, 26 Sep 2012 16:24:54 +0000

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.

Lauren Alaina Pays Tribute to Kitty Wells at Grand Ole Opry

Jessica Crans — Fri, 27 Jul 2012 00:52:07 +0000

Lots of young screams and cheers could be heard at the Grand Ole Opry last night as Lauren Alaina made her 4th appearance, performing 3 songs for the packed Wednesday night crowd. She opened up her set with her new single, “Eighteen Inches,” which made it’s debut on the Billboard Charts at #55 this week. Next up, she performed a medley of Kitty Wells songs, including ‘Release Me (And Let Me Love Again)’ and ‘It Wasn’t God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels,’ in honor of the late singer who passed away on July 16. Kitty Wells was the first female artist to have a #1 song on the charts.

Lauren’s beautiful voice was sure to make Kitty Wells proud, along with her sassy stage presence. Before closing her set with Georgia Peaches, she announced “Kitty Wells was a sassy little thing and I love it! So am I.”

Check out the audio below of Lauren’s Kitty Wells medley:

Big & Rich, Jana Kramer, Brett Eldredge & David Lee Murphy Take Part in ACM Lifting Lives Music Camp 2012

Nicole Piering — Wed, 27 Jun 2012 02:48:46 +0000

ACM Lifting Lives Music Camp just concluded a week in Nashville with campers from across America participating in various activities and excursions around Nashville. The Camp has two purposes: a study of Williams syndrome and other developmental disabilities and providing music enrichment through performance and education.

The camp featured a Monday songwriting session led by Brett Eldredge and David Lee Murphy, who led campers in a songwriting session, creating “We’re Having a Party,” an original song based on campers’ personal experiences and inspirations.

Later in the week, on Thursday, Jana Kramer stopped by the Vanderbilt campus for a cookout and sing-a-long. The camp wrapped on Friday at the Grand Ole Opry with a performance from Big & Rich. Additionally, the campers performed “We’re Having a Party.”

Check out the photos from this incredible week!

Craig Morgan Honors Army Chief of Staff at The Grand Ole Opry

Nicole Piering — Sat, 16 Jun 2012 02:31:35 +0000

Craig Morgan may be known for his catchy country hits, but he is also a proud former Army soldier. On Tuesday night, June 13, he was on hand to honor Retired Army Chief of Staff, General George W. Casey, Jr. General Casey recently became the newest member of The Army Historical Foundation’s Board of Directors, which is campaigning to build the National Museum of the U.S. Army at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. He spoke about the Museum at the Opry, in celebration of the Army’s 237th Birthday.

VIDEO: Keith Urban Invited To Join Grand Ole Opry

Ted Efron — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 15:35:05 +0000

As we reported, Keith Urban will be the newest member of the Grand Ole Opry. Urban’s invitation to join the Opry came during last night’s the “All For The Hall” benefit concert at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena that Urban was co-hosting.

Late in the show, concert co-host and Opry member Vince Gill called Urban out to the stage to present him with a gift. Fellow Opry members Rascal Flatts, Diamond Rio and the Oak Ridge Boys also came out to share the moment. Urban was presented with a large duffel bag. Inside the bag was the Opry’s signature microphone stand. As soon as Urban saw it, Gill announced Urban’s invitation to join the Opry. (See Urban’s’ Opry invitation below. Video courtesy Opry.com)

As reported on the Opry site, Urban’s invitation to join is a historic one. Born in New Zealand and raised in Australia, Urban will be the first artist from outside North America to become an Opry member. His formal induction into the Grand Ole Opry will be Saturday, April 21.

Again, our congrats to Keith!

Meet Jana Kramer At The Opry

Ted Efron — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 17:47:12 +0000

Jana Kramer is making her Grand Ole Opry debut this coming Friday and she’s giving her fans the chance to meet her there.

You can enter for an opportunity to meet the “Why Ya Wanna” singer by visiting HERE. The thing is you don’t have much time left to enter. The deadline is tomorrow (April 10) at 4:00pm ET. According to the contest guidelines, winners will be selected at random and contacted by email no later than Wednesday, April 11.

Also scheduled to apepar this Friday at The Opry are Thompson Square, Hunter Hayes and Ricky Skaggs.

If you’re unable to join Jana at The Opry, you can catch her for free next week. On Monday, April 16 she’s performing at 12th and Porter in Nashville. The free, all-ages show is being taped by CMT. Doors will open at 5:00pm, and the show will start at 5:30. Entry will be first-come first-serve.

We’re now a little less than two months away from the release of Jana’s debut album. The self-titled disc comes out on June 5th.

Jana Kramer Announces Album Release Date

Ted Efron — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 23:57:46 +0000

The news is coming fast and furious for Jana Kramer.

Last night we got our first look at the artwork for her debut album. Today we’re learning that the self-titled disc will be available on June 5th.

Kramer is currently putting the finishing touches on the album, which is being produced by Scott Hendricks, who has worked with such notable names as Blake Shelton and Brooks & Dunn.

The former One Tree Hill actress has sold almost 250,000 digital singles to date, including her debut country single “Why Ya Wanna.” That record broke records when it first came out . It racked up an impressive 55 radio adds upon its release which made Jana the most added debut artist in the history of Country Aircheck. “Why Ya Wanna” currently sits at #26 in both the Billboard and Mediabase charts.

As for Jana, she’s not sitting still waiting for her release date. She’s been playing a series of shows all across the country and has two very high-profile dates coming up First, she’ll be taking part in the ACM Fremont Street Experience this weekend in Las Vegas. She’s set to play the First Street Stage on Saturday night starting at 7pm local time. Then she’ll be making her Grand Ole Opry debut on April 10th.