Grand Ole Opry House To Reopen On September 28th

The Circle Is Unveiled

GRAND OLE OPRY officials announced TODAY (8/25) that the show, displaced from its permanent home due to MAY’s NASHVILLE flood, will return to the GRAND OLE OPRY HOUSE on TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28th. Among the artists scheduled for the show are TRACE ADKINS, JASON ALDEAN, DIERKS BENTLEY, CHARLIE DANIELS BAND, DIAMOND RIO, JIMMY DICKENS, DEL MCCOURY BAND, MONTGOMERY GENTRY, BRAD PAISLEY, BLAKE SHELTON, MEL TILLIS and JOSH TURNER. The show will air live on GAC. Special events and artist appearances will follow throughout OCTOBER in celebration of both the show’s return and its 85th birthday.

The announcement came just before the six-foot circle of oak wood that was taken from the historic RYMAN AUDITORIUM when the show moved to the GRAND OLE OPRY HOUSE in 1974, was returned this morning to its home center stage at the OPRY HOUSE. The circle, along with the full OPRY stage, had been covered by 46 inches of water during the flood. Rescued immediately after waters receded from the OPRY HOUSE, the circle has been completely refurbished. LITTLE JIMMY DICKENS and BRAD PAISLEY helped return it to its spot. The two OPRY members then took to the circle behind an OPRY microphone stand for an acoustic performance of the Country classic “Will the Circle be Unbroken.”

PAISLEY said: “It is as it should be. That circle means the world to all of us who love Country music. I’ve always said that the circle still contains the dust from HANK WILLIAMS’ cowboy boots. Well now it contains that dust, but also the heart and soul of this town and all the people who have worked to rise above this spring’s floods. I know I speak for all my fellow OPRY members when I say, ‘We are so excited to come home!’”

The OPRY has not missed a single show since the flood, broadcasting from several NASHVILLE venues including former OPRY homes the RYMAN AUDITORIUM and the WAR MEMORIAL AUDITORIUM. Plans were also announced for the celebration to continue with OCTOBER shows and special events surrounding the show’s 85th birthday.

“Spirit of NASHVILLE Day” will take place on OCTOBER 2nd, to invite the community to take a look at the newly renovated OPRY during a day of free tours, five months to the day following the flood. Renovations include a new artist entrance area and 18 uniquely-themed dressing rooms. There will also be free music on the OPRY PLAZA throughout the day, including a performance by THE BAND PERRY.

The “85th Birthday Bash” is set to take place on OCTOBER 8th and 9th, with shows, backstage tours, an afternoon salute to Country comedy show featuring MIKE SNIDER with T. BUBBA BECHTOL and an OPRY PLAZA PARTY.

THE JUDDS will take the stage to “flip the switch,” turning the OPRY’s signature barn backdrop pink in support of breast cancer awareness month on OCTOBER 15th. The 2nd Annual “OPRY Goes Pink” event benefits WOMEN ROCK FOR THE CURE and the Greater NASHVILLE affiliate of SUSAN G. KOMEN FOR THE CURE. Fans are encouraged to mention the code OPRYPINK when purchasing their tickets, as $5 from the sale of each ticket will be donated to these organizations.

The OPRY is set to launch their “Be Our Guest” series when celebrities will appear as guest announcers. The show will also launch an “I’m With The Band” series, featuring personalities from outside the Country world who have an interest in music to sit in with the OPRY band for a song. Among those scheduled to visit are actor KEVIN COSTNER and actress KIMBERLY WILLIAMS-PAISLEY.

Check out www.opry.com for more information on all events for the GRAND OLE OPRY and ticket information.

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