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Opry 100

George Walker IV AP Photo

Ringo Starr performs with special guests at the Grand Ole Opry on Feb. 21.

Radio was still cutting-edge technology when the Grand Ole Opry launched in 1925. It became the national broadcast platform for country music and the founding institution of Nashville’s country music industry.

The Opry is celebrating 100 years throughout 2025 with tribute shows, a coffee table book, its first ever overseas broadcast and at least 100 performer debuts.

Curious Nashville: What does it take to be a member of the Grand Ole Opry?

By jewly hightandBlake Farmer

November 30, 2025

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What does it mean to be a member of the Opry? Do you have to have a hit?

Filed Under: Arts, Culture & Music, Curious Nashville, WPLN News Tagged With: Curious Nashville, Grand Ole Opry, Opry 100

At 100 years old, the Grand Ole Opry is the keeper of country music’s legacy

By jewly hight

November 26, 2025

Carrie Underwood performs onstage during a celebration of the Grand Ole Opry's centennial on March 19, 2025 in Nashville, Tenn.

One hundred years ago this week, the radio barn dance that came to be known as the Grand Ole Opry was first broadcast from Nashville. Being part of the show still matters to country artists today.

Filed Under: Arts, Culture & Music, WPLN News Tagged With: country music, Grand Ole Opry, Kathy Mattea, Lainey Wilson, Opry 100, Ryman Auditorium

How the Opry and WSM made it 100 years

By Mary Mancini

November 25, 2025

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The Grand Ole Opry is more than just the longest-running radio show in America.

Filed Under: Programs Tagged With: Grand Ole Opry, Opry 100, Opry at 100, WSM

Whisperin’ Bill Anderson, the Grand Ole Opry’s longest serving legend

By Mary Mancini

November 24, 2025

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As the Grand Ole Opry celebrates its 100th birthday this week, we hear from its longest-serving member.

Filed Under: Profiles, Programs Tagged With: Grand Ole Opry, Opry 100, Opry at 100, Whisperin' Bill Anderson

The Grand Ole Opry and Nashville’s Belcourt Theatre share a lot more than a 100th birthday

By jewly hightandJustin Barney

August 5, 2025

As the Belcourt Theatre and Grand Ole Opry both turn 100 this year, here’s how their histories intertwine.

Filed Under: Arts, Culture & Music, WPLN News Tagged With: Belcourt Theatre, Grand Ole Opry, history, Opry 100

How a century of Grand Ole Opry shows became a 350-page book

By jewly hight

April 15, 2025

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As the Grand Ole Opry marks 100 years, a newly released book weaves the live country music show’s entire eventful history into a unified narrative.

Filed Under: Arts, Culture & Music, WPLN News Tagged With: 2010 flood, DeFord Bailey, Grand Ole Opry, history, Opry 100, Wanda Jackson

As Grand Ole Opry turns 100, it’s the performers who keep it alive — and evolving

By jewly hight

April 10, 2025

At the century mark, a big part of what’s kept the Grand Ole Opry going are the many generations and styles of performers who have been part of the show.

Filed Under: Arts, Culture & Music, WPLN News Tagged With: Appalachia + Mid-South Newsroom, comedy, country music, Danae Hays, Grand Ole Opry, history, John Conlee, Opry 100, TikTok

The Grand Ole Opry marks its 100th anniversary by looking forward and back

By jewly hight

February 28, 2025

The Grand Ole Opry is celebrating 100 years of live radio performances throughout the year. Though the official anniversary falls in November, the special programming has already begun.

Filed Under: WPLN News Tagged With: country music, Danae Hays, Grand Ole Opry, Opry 100, Ringo Starr, Shaboozey

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