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, a University of Central Florida graduate, has immersed herself in the world of country music for over 15 years. In 2008, she co-founded CountryMusicIsLove, eventually selling it to a major record label in 2015. Following the rebranding of the website to Sounds Like Nashville, Black served as Editor-in-Chief for two and a half years. Currently, she assumes the role of Editor-in-Chief at Country Now and oversees Country Now’s content and digital footprint. Her extensive experience also encompasses her previous role as a Country Music Expert Writer for Answers.com and her work being featured on Forbes.com. She’s been spotlighted among Country Aircheck’s Women of Influence and received the 2012 Rising Star Award from the University of Central Florida. Black also spent time in front of the camera as host of Country Now Live, which brought live music directly to fans in 2021 when the majority of concerts were halted due to the pandemic. During this time, she hosted 24 weeks of live concerts via Country Now Live on Twitch with special guests such as Lady A, Dierks Bentley, Jordan Davis, Brett Young, and Jon Pardi. Over the course of her career, she has had the privilege of conducting interviews with some of the industry’s most prominent stars, including Reba McEntire, Blake Shelton, Luke Combs, Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, Miranda Lambert, Lainey Wilson, and many others. Lauren Jo Black is a longtime member of the Country Music Association and the Academy of Country Music.
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