‘Opry 100: A Live Celebration’: 10 Best Moments

Approximately 100 years after the Grand Ole Opry launched when radio announcer George D. Hay invited fiddler Uncle Jimmy Thompson to play some of his fiddle tunes on the air on WSM-AM (the program was initially called the WSM Barn Dance and renamed the Grand Ole Opry in 1927), many of country music’s biggest stars came together to celebrate the Opry’s centennial anniversary Wednesday night (March 19) at the Grand Ole Opry House.

The three-hour show Opry 100: A Live Celebration aired on NBC and simulcast on Peacock, and feted the Grand Ole Opry’s 100-year evolution and unyielding devotion to promoting country music and its biggest talents.

A who’s who of country music musicians took part, including nearly 50 official Opry members. Among the artists taking part were Trace Adkins, Bill Anderson, Kelsea Ballerini, Dierks Bentley, Clint Black, Garth Brooks, Stephen Curtis Chapman, Luke Combs, Crystal Gayle, Alan Jackson, Jamey Johnson, Alison Krauss & Union Station, Barbara Mandrell, Ashley McBryde, Reba McEntire, Carly Pearce, Brad Paisley, Post Malone, Blake Shelton, Ricky Skaggs, Marty Stuart, Randy Travis, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban, The War and Treaty, Lainey Wilson, and Trisha Yearwood.

Along the way, music both past and present was highlighted, from Luke Combs performing the George Jones classic “The Grand Tour” to Reba McEntire highlighting the music of Patsy Cline and Loretta Lynn, while Post Malone and Ashley McBryde paid homage to Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash with a rendition of “Jackson.” Lainey Wilson and Marty Stuart honored Hank Williams, Sr. with a rendition of “Lost Highway,” before Wilson performed her own breakthrough hit “Things a Man Oughta Know.”

The majority of the event aired live at Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry House, while some performances were held at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium, the Opry’s home from 1943 to 1974 (the Ryman still often hosts Opry shows during the winter and on other occasions).

The evening ended with a video of Dolly Parton sending her best wishes to the Opry. Then, an all-sing concluded the event, with a multitude of artists showing their devotion to Parton — and the genre overall — as McEntire led the star-studded choir in performing “I Will Always Love You.”

The telecast was executive produced by Silent House Productions’ Emmy Award winners Baz Halpin, Mark Bracco and Linda Gierahn, along with R.A. Clark and Steve Buchanan. See Billboard‘s ranking of 10 of the best moments from the event below.