CMT News

The Grand Ole Opry is planning many events leading up to its 75th Anniversary celebration October 13-15. An all-star kickoff party is scheduled June 10 in the Opry plaza just outside the Opry house, prior to the start of International Country Music Fan Fair week, which runs June 12-16. Weekly Opry Plaza parties are planned June 16 - August 4. Musical acts including Asleep at the Wheel, The Derailers and Beausoleil will perform, and the parties also include dancing and fireworks. OpryFest, three weekends of outdoor festivals including Southern gospel, bluegrass music and clogging, are slated to begin July 15, with two stages of entertainment and an arts and crafts fair. The OpryFest Gospel Jubilee July 15-16 features a national Southern gospel music competition and performances by Sheri Easter, the Crabb Family, Karen Peck, New River and other acts. The OpryFest Bluegrass Jamboree takes place July 22-23, with acts to include the Del McCoury Band, Ralph Stanley, IIIrd Tyme Out, Claire Lynch, the John Hartford String Band and Opry favorite Mike Snider. The OpryFest Grand Ole Clogging and Square Dance Festival will be held the final weekend, July 29-30, with competitions between members of America's Clogging Hall of Fame and Clogging Champions of America. More details about the 75th Anniversary celebration will follow later.