Ray Stevens to Be Honored With All-Star Nashville Tribute Concert

Ricky Skaggs, Ronnie Milsap, Jamey Johnson, Gretchen Wilson, Mark Chesnutt, and more will honor the Country Music Hall of Famer during a one-night-only celebration in November.

Written by Amanda Tempel

Date Published: August 18, 2026

Nashville will celebrate the music, humor, and six-decade career of Ray Stevens with an all-star tribute concert at the Grand Ole Opry House this fall.

Don’t Look, Ethel! A Salute to the Musical Genius of Ray Stevens is set for Monday, November 9, 2026, bringing together artists from country, gospel, comedy, and entertainment to honor the Country Music Hall of Fame member and his contributions to American music.

The lineup includes Ricky Skaggs, Ronnie Milsap, Jamey Johnson, Gretchen Wilson, Mark Chesnutt, The Gatlin Brothers, Lee Greenwood, Collin Raye, Darryl Worley, Dailey & Vincent, Mark Wills, Billy Dean, Jeff Bates, Deborah Allen, and Cledus T. Judd. Additional performers will be announced.

Judd will also serve as host for the evening, while Sixwire will serve as the house band.

Randy Travis Among Special Guests

The celebration will also feature a special appearance by Country Music Hall of Fame member Randy Travis.

Nancy Jones, widow of George Jones, WWE Hall of Famer Jerry “The King” Lawler, and WWE legend Mickie James are also scheduled to take part with remarks during the show.

The concert is designed to showcase the wide-ranging career Stevens has built across country, pop, gospel, comedy, songwriting, production, and musicianship.

“I’ve always been so fond of the Nashville music community, and I’m truly honored that they would want to do this tribute,” Stevens said. “All my life I’ve wanted to be successful in the music business and have people appreciate what I create. That’s impossible without the fans. I’m so grateful for all of them!”

Ray Stevens’ Career and Musical Legacy

Stevens has spent more than 60 years building one of country music’s most distinctive careers, moving between comedy records, serious recordings, gospel music, pop, and behind-the-scenes work as a musician, songwriter, and producer.

Among his best-known recordings are the multi-million-selling “The Streak” and “Everything Is Beautiful.”

A 12-time GRAMMY nominee and two-time GRAMMY Award winner, Stevens has sold more than 40 million albums during his career. He is a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame, Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, Musicians Hall of Fame, and Georgia Music Hall of Fame, and he has a star on the Music City Walk of Fame.

Don’t Look, Ethel! will bring together artists and longtime friends to recognize the many sides of Stevens’ career, from his musicianship and songwriting to the humor that became one of his trademarks.

How to Get Tickets for the Ray Stevens Tribute Concert

Tickets will be sold through AXS.

A presale begins Wednesday, August 19 at 10 a.m. CT and continues through Thursday, August 20 at 10 p.m. CT. Fans can use the presale code RAY26.

Tickets go on sale to the general public Friday, August 21 at 10 a.m. CT.

Ray Stevens Tribute Concert Details

Event: Don’t Look, Ethel! A Salute to the Musical Genius of Ray Stevens
Date: Monday, November 9, 2026
Venue: Grand Ole Opry House
Location: Nashville, Tennessee
Host: Cledus T. Judd
House Band: Sixwire
Presale: August 19 at 10 a.m. CT through August 20 at 10 p.m. CT
Presale Code: RAY26
Public On-Sale: August 21 at 10 a.m. CT
Tickets: AXS.com

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