Grand Ole Opry 95th Birthday Celebration
The first night that the Grand Ole Opry played to an empty house, both long-time members Bill Anderson and Jeannie Seely told me in interviews that it was an eerie, almost- haunting presence looming. It was mid-March with the entire state on shutdown, but the show went on. Week after week, Opry members and guests performed on the world’s longest-running radio show, often acoustic or with limited musicians alongside them.
On Saturday, October 3, 2020, when the curtain rose promptly at 7:00 pm, Vince Gill saw what no other performer had seen in seven months: an audience. A limited capacity of 500 ticketholders were situated throughout the Opry house to witness the 4,944 consecutive show.
“Welcome to the Grand Ole Opry’s 95th birthday party,” Vince exclaimed as he launched into Roy Acuff’s “Night Train To Memphis.”
In honor of the Opry’s birthday celebration, artists performed favorite songs from their heroes and influences. Vince spoke of Roy Acuff inducting him into the prestigious Opry family and his first-ever performance on the show. He mentioned that Jimmy C. Newman introduced him as he made his debut on the famed stage. He followed that story by playing Jimmy’s “Cry, Cry, Darling.” Vince closed his portion by honoring the recently-departed Mac Davis with his rendition of “In The Ghetto,” one of several gigantic hits the prolific entertainer composed.
Like Vince proclaimed in his intro, Lorrie Morgan is Opry royalty. And the queen delivered. “Something in Red” was stunningly magnificent with its lush musical arrangement, highlighted by the crescendo at the song’s bridge. An exquisite offering from one of country music’s most successful musicians, Lorrie’s had over two dozen top twenty hits and multiple platinum albums to her name.
“It’s a magical feeling up here tonight. I’m so happy tonight; I’m elated,” Lorrie gushed.
She performed “The End of the World,” a classic by her friend and mentor Skeeter Davis.
A member since 2004, Terri Clark picked up the tempo with “Better Things To Do,” her first single released to radio in 1995. She chose Barbara Mandrell’s “I Was Country (When Country Wasn’t Cool) as her classic cover of the night.
“You guys are part of history tonight,” Terri said to the crowd.
Dierks Bentley’s rousing “Burning Man” marked his return to the Opry stage. He was just early into his career when he was asked to become a member of the Opry family. A formal ceremony led by Marty Stuart was held fifteen years ago this very week.
“I used to sing it on lower Broadway all the time,” Dierks said as he introduced the classic country tune “Goin’ Steady” by Faron Young.
All four Opry members returned to the stage for the show’s final performance of “Will the Circle Be Unbroken,” which led to a standing ovation by the crowd.
It was a triumphant return to the Opry, a place loved by so many. The Opry staff did an incredible job of successfully ushering everyone in a safe and effective manner. A sense of coming home, indeed. Happy 95th Birthday, Grand Ole Opry!