The November 8 celebration will feature Ricky Skaggs, Lorrie Morgan, Deana Carter, Jamey Johnson, and a special tribute to the late John Anderson.
Written by Amanda Tempel
Published: October 28, 2026
The Grand Ole Opry will celebrate 60 years of the CMA Awards with a special show on Sunday, November 8, featuring Vince Gill, Ricky Skaggs, Lorrie Morgan, Deana Carter, Jamey Johnson, and a tribute to the late John Anderson.
The celebration will revisit the years from 1974 through 2004, when the CMA Awards were held at Nashville's Grand Ole Opry House.
Gill, an 18-time CMA Award winner who hosted the awards ceremony 12 times during the Opry House era, will host and perform during the evening.
Who Is Performing at the Grand Ole Opry's CMA Awards Celebration?
The November 8 lineup includes several artists whose careers were recognized during the Opry House era.
Ricky Skaggs, an eight-time CMA Award winner, earned Entertainer of the Year honors in 1985. Deana Carter won Single of the Year for her signature hit, "Strawberry Wine."
Lorrie Morgan was recognized for her collaboration with Keith Whitley on "'Til a Tear Becomes a Rose" and her participation in the award-winning Eagles tribute album Common Thread: The Songs of the Eagles.
Jamey Johnson, who earned CMA Song of the Year honors for "In Color" and "Give It Away," will perform a collection of Song of the Year winners from the 1974–2004 era.
Additional performers will be announced ahead of the show.
Grand Ole Opry to Honor John Anderson
One of the evening's special moments will be a multi-artist tribute to Country Music Hall of Fame member John Anderson, who passed away October 21 at age 71.
Anderson had a unique connection to the Grand Ole Opry House long before becoming a country music star.
After moving to Nashville at 17 in 1972, he worked on the construction crew that built the Opry House. His assignment included working on the roof, overlooking the area that would eventually become the stage.
By 1983, Anderson was receiving CMA Awards on that same stage, winning both the Horizon Award and Single of the Year for "Swingin'." He later shared in the 1994 Album of the Year award for Common Thread: The Songs of the Eagles.
According to the Grand Ole Opry, Anderson had confirmed his participation in the November 8 celebration just one day before his passing.
The previously planned appearance will now become a tribute honoring his career and his remarkable connection to the Opry House.
Rare CMA Awards Footage to Be Featured
Along with live performances, the celebration will feature vintage CMA Awards footage from the years when the ceremony was broadcast from the Opry House.
The clips will include appearances by Alabama, Alan Jackson, Barbara Mandrell, Ronnie Milsap, Dolly Parton, and other country music legends.
"The Grand Ole Opry House is woven into the history of the CMA Awards, with more than half of our 60 years broadcast live from that stage," said CMA CEO Sarah Trahern.
How to Attend the Grand Ole Opry's CMA Awards Celebration
The special Grand Ole Opry show takes place Sunday, November 8, 2026, at 7 p.m. Central at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, Tennessee.
Tickets are available through the Grand Ole Opry's official website.
The celebration comes just 10 days before the 60th Annual CMA Awards on Wednesday, November 18.
Hosted by Lainey Wilson, the CMA Awards will broadcast live from Nashville's Bridgestone Arena at 8 p.m. Eastern/7 p.m. Central on ABC and Disney+, with next-day streaming available on Hulu.
Read More: 2026 CMA Award Show Guide
Photo Credits:
Vince Gill: Chris Hollo / CMA ©1999 Country Music Association, Inc
Ricky Skaggs/Deana Carter: Chris Hollo / CMA ©1997 Country Music Association, Inc.