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The Grand Ole Opry Halts Performances With Live Audiences Due To Coronavirus

The Grand Ole Opry is returning to its roots. Now through April 4, the show will return to its original…

Lauren Jo Black

| Posted on

March 13, 2020

Carrie Underwood; Photo Courtesy Grand Ole Opry, Chris Hollo

The Grand Ole Opry is returning to its roots.

Now through April 4, the show will return to its original format as a live radio broadcast without a live audience. The decision was made due to the global outbreak of coronavirus.

The Opry notified fans of the change in an email on Friday.

“The Grand Ole Opry stands by the motto of the Circle can’t be broken. Throughout the Opry’s history, various events have led Opry management to make difficult decisions about how to alter the show’s format,” the email begins. “In an effort to maintain health and safety amid current COVID-19 concerns, the Grand Ole Opry, the world’s longest-running radio show, will pause performances that include a live audience through April 4.”

The email went on to explain that the Grand Ole Opry’s first priority is the health and safety of its employees, guests and artists.

Fans will be able to listen to the live broadcast on Saturday night at Opry.com and wsmonline.com.

Guests who previously purchased tickets for the affected shows can contact the Opry’s customer service for re-booking information.

The news comes just after President Trump declared a national emergency due to the global pandemic.

Written by

Lauren Jo Black

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.