25+ Grand Ole Opry Members Unite for Once-in-a-Lifetime 100th Anniversary Celebration
“It’s a big night. I mean, come on, nothing lasts a hundred years, especially in show business,” Marty Stuart pointed out.
Grand Ole Opry Cast; Vince Gill; Photo by Grand Ole Opry, by Rachael Black
More than 25 Grand Ole Opry members gathered on Friday night to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Opry’s very first broadcast on November 28, 1925.
The milestone show aired on the Opry’s flagship station WSM, streamed on SiriusXM, and was broadcast worldwide via the Opry’s social media channels.
The historic evening honored a century of Opry tradition with several unforgettable moments. Ricky Skaggs, an Opry member since 1982, opened the show with “Tennessee Wagoner,” playing the same fiddle Uncle Jimmy Thompson used during the Opry’s inaugural broadcast 100 years ago. He performed surrounded by more than two dozen fellow Opry members.
Later in the night, Scotty McCreery, an Opry member since 2024, Mandy Barnett (2021), T. Graham Brown (2024), and Mark Wills (2019) stepped into the circle to lead the cast in a moving performance of the George Jones classic “Who’s Gonna Fill Their Shoes.”
Jamey Johnson, a proud member since 2022, also took the stage for a powerful rendition of his hit “In Color,” paying tribute to legendary Opry photographer Les Leverett, who captured decades of iconic moments.
Another standout moment came when the Opry honored its longest-serving member, Bill Anderson, ahead of his performance of “Thankful.”
Throughout 2024, fans voted on the Opry’s all-time greatest songs as part of the Opry 100 celebration. To close the night, Vince Gill returned to reveal the winning song and delivered an emotional performance of “He Stopped Loving Her Today.”
Ahead of the show, several Opry members spoke with Country Now about what it meant to take part in such a historic night. Ricky Skaggs shared that opening the evening with Uncle Jimmy Thompson’s fiddle was a profound moment for him.
“It was a tremendous honor,” Skaggs said. “My mother was a Thompson, no relation that I know of, but it’s just really special as a fiddler to get to bring notice and bring light back to his life. He fought in the Civil War… He was 77 when he played on the Opry that first night in 1925. I’m 71, so not too far away in age.”
Scotty McCreery expressed a deep appreciation for the Opry’s lasting legacy.
“I just love the Opry. I love what it stands for. I love the history behind it, and I hope folks realize the Opry has played such a huge role in making country music what it is today,” he told us. “I’m just proud to be part of the family.”
For Jamey Johnson, the milestone carries personal meaning that extends far beyond the stage.
“To be a member of the Grand Ole Opry is special to begin with, but to get to be a member during the 100th birthday… it’s the same year that I got to go to the Marine Corps Ball and celebrate their 250th, and it’s the same year I celebrated my 50th,” he reflected. “There’s a lot of perspective in these times, and for me, it really brings it home to be standing here November 28, 2025.”
Marty Stuart added that longevity alone makes the celebration extraordinary.
“It’s a big night. I mean, come on, nothing lasts a hundred years, especially in show business,” he said. “This show has never been off the air in a hundred years. I was raised listening to this show, and I got here when I was 13 and got a job. I love the Grand Ole Opry, and the cast members are like family. The minute I got here, I was treated like family. This is an extended family to me.”
It was an emotional night for many, including Lorrie Morgan, who summed up the moment perfectly: “There’s just a magical feeling… Tonight’s like Christmas.”
Lauren Jo Black is a longtime country music journalist, editor, host, and media personality whose work has helped shape the conversation around country music for nearly two decades. As the current Editor-in-Chief of Country Now, she has become one of the genre’s most respected voices, interviewing hundreds of country music’s biggest stars, including Dolly Parton, Garth Brooks, Reba McEntire, Shania Twain, Randy Travis, Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood, Blake Shelton, Luke Combs, and countless others. Over the course of her career, Black’s written work and interviews have reached billions of country music fans worldwide. A 2009 graduate of the University of Central Florida, Black began her career by founding Country Music Is Love, one of country music’s earliest independent digital publications, which she later sold to a major record label in 2015 before it was rebranded as Sounds Like Nashville. She then served as the publication’s Editor-in-Chief for more than two years. Her work has also appeared in Forbes, and she previously served as the Country Music Expert for Answers.com. Widely recognized for her expertise, Black has appeared as a featured guest on The Bobby Bones Show, BobbyCast, and Scripps News Morning Rush, providing insight on country music’s biggest moments. She has also hosted Country Now Live, a concert series featuring performances from artists including Lady A, Dierks Bentley, Riley Green, Jordan Davis, Dustin Lynch, Gabby Barrett, Brett Young, Jon Pardi, Kip Moore, Chris Young, and more. The series has welcomed thousands of fans in person while reaching millions more online. In addition, she hosted Connect With Country Now, a weekly interview series featuring conversations with rising country stars. Throughout her career, Black has earned a reputation for discovering and championing artists long before they become household names. She has covered Luke Bryan since the early days of his career, beginning when he was writing songs for other artists, including Billy Currington’s No. 1 hit “Good Directions,” before stepping into the spotlight with his debut single, “All My Friends Say” and eventually becoming one of biggest names in music. She also gave Megan Moroney her first opportunity to walk a major red carpet as Country Now’s official guest correspondent at the 2022 CMA Awards. An interview she conducted in 2018 for Forbes.com with Luke Combs that inspired his multi-week No. 1 hit, “Doin’ This.” She has also hosted stages at CMA Fest, moderated an industry panel at Country Radio Seminar, and helped lead important conversations about the evolving landscape of country music media. Beyond journalism, Black has also used her platform to support charitable causes and highlight organizations making an impact. Through Country Now Live, she has helped raise awareness and support for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, while also advocating for animal rescue through Country Now’s Pupdate series, spotlighting organizations including MuttNation Foundation, Wags & Walks, and Proverbs 12:10 Animal Rescue. Black has been recognized as one of Country Aircheck’s Women of Influence and received the 2012 Rising Star Award from the University of Central Florida. She is a longtime member of both the Country Music Association (CMA) and the Academy of Country Music (ACM). After nearly 20 years covering country music, Lauren Jo Black has spent her career telling the stories behind the artists, songs, and moments that have shaped the genre. Her first-ever book, Country Music Forever: An A-to-Z Celebration of Icons, Songs and Stories, brings that same passion and firsthand knowledge to the page, celebrating not only the legendary artists and timeless songs that have become the soundtrack to generations of fans, but also the places, traditions, and cultural moments that have made country music one of the most beloved genres around the world.
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