FOCUS on the 615
Nashville's premier entertainment blog including album, song and show reviews and exclusive artist interviews.
Photo credit: ©2014 Grand Ole Opry
Photo By: Chris Hollo
Rising country music star and accomplished actress Lucy Hale was honored to make her debut appearance on the famed Grand Ole Opry stage on Saturday, June 21st to perform her brand new single, “Lie A Little Better.” On Monday, June 30th, the Memphis born and raised singer is set for a return appearance on the #1 rated morning show, “Good Morning America,” for the nationally televised debut performance of the song. Continue Reading →
Natalie Stovall and the Drive perform on Grand Ole Opry stage.
©2014 Grand Ole Opry
Photo By: Rachael Black, Hollo Photographics, Inc.
Surrounded by family, friends, and longtime fans, Natalie Stovall and The Drive made their Grand Ole Opry debut on Tuesday, May 6th. The dream come true for the band has the rare distinction of making a debut both as a solo artist and a band as Natalie graced the stage for the first time in the Spring of 1995 at the age of 12.
The critically acclaimed band’s debut album, produced by GRAMMY winner Paul Worley (The Band Perry, Dixie Chicks, Lady Antebellum), is expected this fall on HitShop Records. The lead track, “Baby Come On With It,” is currently climbing the charts and is available now at iTunes. The official music video for the track is available HERE.
ABOUT NATALIE STOVALL AND THE DRIVE: Natalie Stovall and The Drive are relentless road warriors, amassing over 200 dates each year across college campuses, clubs, and military bases around the globe. Natalie, a Tennessee native, has been playing professionally since she was 10 and performed everywhere from the White House to the Oprah Winfrey Show. A fiddle phenom, she made her Grand Ole Opry debut at the age of 12. Natalie Stovall And The Drive is led by multi-instrumentalist and powerhouse vocalist, Natalie Stovall, who has been selected as one of this year’s CMT Next Women of Country. The Drive includes drummer James Bavendam from Seattle, Chile’s Miguel Cancino on guitar, Zach Morse from Cheyenne, Wyoming on bass and vocals and Redding, California guitarist and vocalist Joel Dormer. For more information, visit www.nataliestovall.com and engage with the band on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Left photo credit: Stovall Family Photo
Right photo credit: ©2014 Grand Ole Opry, Photo By: Rachael Black, Hollo Photographics, Inc.
The Grand Ole Opry celebrated 40 years of country music at the Grand Ole Opry House this evening as the newest members of the Opry, Old Crow Medicine Show, led the cast in a show-opening performance of Opry patriarch Roy Acuff’s “Wabash Cannonball.” The 40th Opry House Anniversary Show began as the very first Opry performance at the Opry House did, with video footage of Acuff and his Smoky Mountain Boys from 1940 performing the band’s signature song. That performance transitioned to footage of Acuff and the Opry cast singing the song on March 16, 1974 before finally seamlessly transitioning to the curtain going up on Old Crow and a stage full of tonight’s other performers finishing the number for the live audience. Continue Reading →
Check out the line-up for the upcoming Grand Ole Opry show tomorrow! Continue Reading →
40th Opry House Anniversary Weekend March 15 – 16 to Include Special Events, Performances by Blake Shelton, Miranda Lambert, Clint Black, Diamond Rio, Josh Turner, and MoreThe Grand Ole Opry is poised to celebrate 40 years of country music at its permanent home, the Grand Ole Opry House, beginning next month, with special events kicking off the weekend of March 15 and continuing throughout the year. The celebration will lead up to next year’s mark of 90 years since the Opry was founded on Nov. 28, 1925.
Among those scheduled to appear on two Opry House Anniversary performances March 15 are Academy of Country Music Entertainer of the Year nominees Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert as well as Opry members Clint Black, Diamond Rio, and Josh Turner.
Opry member Blake Shelton
photo credit: Chris Hollo
The Grand Ole Opry House is the Opry’s sixth home. It is also the only home built specifically for the Opry and the residence the Opry has called home the longest. The Opry House opened on March 16, 1974 with a standing room only Opry performance attended by President and Mrs. Richard Nixon, among other VIP guests. The evening marked the first time a U.S. president had ever attended the Opry. Nixon still stands as the only president ever to have performed on the Opry, having played “My Wild Irish Rose” and “God Bless America” on the Opry’s upright piano in addition to “Happy Birthday” in honor of First Lady Pat Nixon, who was celebrating her birthday that night. Even more memorably, President Nixon received an impromptu on-stage yo-yo lesson from Opry stalwart and yo-yo enthusiast Roy Acuff. During the lesson, Nixon famously quipped, “I’ll stay here and try to learn how to use the yo-yo; you go up and be President, Roy!”
The anniversary will also be marked by the March 15 release of Backstage at the Grand Ole Opry, a new book treating fans to an all-access, behind the scenes look backstage at country music’s most famous show. The book offers more than 250 exclusive photos from the show’s archives along with stories and recollections from the Opry’s most beloved stars.
Weekend Shows and Events
March 15, 2014
7:30 a.m. – 650 AM WSM 5K Run & Walk
5:30 p.m. – Backstage at the Grand Ole Opry Book Signing
7 p.m. & 9:30 p.m. – Opry House 40th Anniversary Grand Ole Opry shows featuring Blake Shelton, Miranda Lambert, Clint Black, Diamond Rio, Josh Turner, and more.
Throughout the day – Opry House Yo-Yo-A-Thon
Miranda Lambert
photo Credit Chris Hollo
The 40th Anniversary Celebration will kick-off on March 15 at 7:30 a.m. with a 5K Race hosted by 650 WSM (wsmonline.com). As part of the event, the Opry will partner with Hands On Nashville and Habitat For Humanity of Greater Nashville to celebrate the Opry House’s iconic Nixon/Acuff yo-yo lesson and raise funds in support of both organizations with an Opry House Yo-Yo-A-Thon. Opry staffers, artists and volunteers from Hands On Nashville and Habitat For Humanity of Greater Nashville will take turns yo-yoing in the Opry Plaza throughout the weekend.
Opry members Blake Shelton and Clint Black plus Miranda Lambert and many others will take the stage that evening for special shows at 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. celebrating the Opry House’s 40th Anniversary. The shows are also set to feature clips of special moments at the Opry House over the past four decades.
March 16, 2014
11 a.m. – 4 p.m. – Self-guided Backstage Tours of the Opry House presented by Humana®
2 p.m. – 3 p.m. – Backstage at the Grand Ole Opry Book Signing
Throughout the day – Opry House Yo-Yo-A-Thon
The public is invited for free self-guided tours of the Opry House 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. made possible by Opry presenting sponsor Humana®. Debuting that day will be a new backstage display commemorating the Opry House’s 1974 grand opening with artifacts including the yo-yo used by President Nixon and inscribed by Acuff, a printed invitation to the grand opening show, and a program from the night. The Opry House Yo-Yo-A-Thon is set to continue throughout the day Sunday, and visitors are encouraged to make donations to Hands On Nashville and Habitat for Humanity of Greater Nashville in lieu of regular tour admission.
Continuing Shows and Events:
The Opry House 40th Anniversary Celebration will continue throughout the year with numerous shows and events and will include the 40th Anniversary exhibit as a regular stop on Opry House Backstage Tours. Opry performances are scheduled for every Friday and Saturday of the year. Tuesday shows will take place March 4 – Dec. 9, and Wednesday shows return June 11 – Aug. 6. Grand Ole Opry House Backstage Tours are available seven days a week and after most Opry performances. Tickets and information are available at opry.com, 800-SEE-OPRY and at the Opry House Box Office.
About the Grand Ole Opry
The Grand Ole Opry® is presented by Humana®. Opry performances are held every Friday and Saturday of the year. To plan an Opry visit, call (800) SEE-OPRY or visit opry.com. The Opry presents the best in country music live every week from Nashville, Tenn. Celebrating 89 years of entertainment, the Opry can be heard on 650 WSM-AM, SIRIUS XM Satellite Radio, and opry.com. The syndicated weekly program, America’s Opry Weekend, airs on country radio stations across America. The Grand Ole Opry is owned by Ryman Hospitality Properties (NYSE: RHP). For more information, visit opry.com.
Here is the scheduled line-up for the Grand Ole Opry for this week! Continue Reading →
Casey James
On October 27, 2013, some of music’s top new recording artists will come together at the historic Grand Ole Opry House to shine the spotlight on the work of music teachers and show their gratitude for all that educators do to spread the joy of music in our nation’s schools. The special concert will kick-off the 2013 National Association of Music Education’s (NAfME) National In-Service Conference, and admission is FREE to all conference attendees, invited guests and All-National Honor Ensemble students. Continue Reading →
Kree Harrison makes a special appearance at the Grand Ole Opry with a little help from Keith Urban singing “Help Me Make It Through The Night”.
One in three women and one in two men will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetimes. During the 2013 CMA Music Festival, a star-studded roster of Country Music’s hottest performers and personalities will join forces to help strike out the disease. Stars including Scotty McCreery, Lauren Alaina, Florida Georgia Line, Craig Campbell, Greg Bates, Chuck Wicks and Olympic figure skating champion Scott Hamilton will join cancer survivors to participate in City of Hope’s 23rd annual Celebrity Softball Challenge presented by Staples. Emceed by Storme Warren, host of GAC’s “Headline Country,” the event will pit longtime rival teams Grand Ole Opry and “After MidNite with Blair Garner” against each other on Saturday, June 8, at 9 a.m. at Greer Stadium. Tickets are now available at www.ticketmaster.com.
“It’s always good to go out there and get a big win for Country Music in the fight against cancer,” said Pete Fisher, vice president and general manager, Grand Ole Opry. “We’re thankful to City of Hope for its incredible work in cancer research, and know we will live up to the challenge this year. Hey, Team Opry: Spring training starts 10 minutes before game time. Don’t forget the needed gear – uniforms, softballs and Sharpies!”
George Jones’ funeral will take place on Thursday, May 2nd at The Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, Tennessee, starting at 10 am and will be open to the public.
“George would have wanted his fans and friends everywhere to be able to come and pay their respects along with his family,” said publicist Kirt Webster.
“Thanks to George’s friends, fans, and loved ones for the outpouring of love at this terrible time,” said Nancy Jones. “I love you all.”
A private visitation for family, friends, and fellow performers will take place on Wednesday evening. Since this is private, please call 615-777-6995 x230 for time and location.
