With the Grand Ole Opry about to mark a major milestone — its 5,000th Saturday night broadcast — organizers are adding some major talent to match. Garth Brooks, Dustin Lynch, Darius Rucker and Trisha Yearwood will join the previously announced lineup at the end of next month.
Set to broadcast live (as always) from the Opryhouse in Nashville, the October 30 event will cap more than a month of celebrations — but after 5,000 shows and nearly 100 years, the Opry will stick to its traditional ways.
Going back to 1925 — before it was even called the “Grand Ole Opry” — the show has not missed a Saturday night broadcast, making it the longest running program of any medium anywhere in the world. It didn’t stop for the Great Depression, World War II, two Nashville floods or even the COVID-19 pandemic, and that steady hand is a big part of what makes the Opry so beloved — by fans and the stars themselves.
“I think we all long for something that we can hang onto that gives us a source of comfort, a source of steadiness and something we can count on,” said Opry Member Marty Stuart at the August kickoff event for the Opry 5,000th. “In the midst of turmoil and the best of times, that circle has seen it all … the Opry has proven itself to be this indelible kind of thing that not only America, but the globe can count on – that on Saturday night, there’s a beam of goodness that, if you find it, you’re going to plug into that. It makes a difference in your heart.”
That circle of original Opryhouse stage Stuart refers to is still welcoming country stars, just as it did with Johnny Cash, Patsy Cline, Hank Williams and more. And along with Garth Brooks and the rest, the 5,000th show will be one to remember. Previously announced performers include artists representing a half-century of country music, with Bill Anderson, Terri Clark, Vince Gill, Chris Janson, Jeannie Seely, Connie Smith, The Gatlin Brothers and Chris Young, and just like every Saturday night before it, this one will feature two shows.
The first one will be available to stream live on Circle Network (including its Circle All Access Facebook, Twitter and YouTube channel), and tickets still available.
