NASHVILLE, TN. (GAC) - Country music television network Great American Country (GAC) will celebrate the 80th anniversary of the undisputed home of country music, The Grand Ole Opry, with a month of Opry-themed programming slated to run on the network throughout October.
The 'Opry Month' of special programming kicks off October 1 with the premiere broadcast of the final episode of GAC's five-part series The Opry: 8 Decades of Great Country, as well as the first of five all-new live episodes of Grand Ole Opry Live! airing every Saturday night in October. The live presentations during the month will feature several history-making moments, including the induction of the Opry's newest member and a star-studded Opry 80th birthday bash October 15.
"The Grand Ole Opry is the longest and most revered tradition in country music and it is beloved by both the artists and country music fans," said
Sarah Trahern, vice president of programming at GAC. "The 80th anniversary is a huge milestone in Opry history, and as the official television home of the Opry, Great American Country will salute it with an entire month of special programming built around our flagship series, Grand Ole Opry Live!"
The lineup of October's 'Opry Month' programming includes premieres of the following specials, series and program marathons:
Saturday, October 1
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Conclusion: The Opry: Eight Decades of Great Country Music
7:30 pm ET
Every Saturday night from September 3 to October 1, Great American
Country is premiering five, half-hour specials about the Opry and
its rich history. The topical episodes, including "Opry Firsts"
(9/3), "Connections" (9/10), "Backstage" (9/17), "Great Moments"
(9/24) and "Inductions" (10/1), feature interviews with country
music insiders and artists such as Alan Jackson, Josh Turner, and
Terri Clark, each of whom will share personal stories and recall
their favorite Opry memories and performances.
Grand Ole Opry Live! - Dierks Bentley Induction
9 pm ET/PT
The first episode of GAC's all-new, live presentations of Grand Ole
Opry Live! will be a memorable episode featuring the induction of
the newest and youngest Opry member, Dierks Bentley.
Saturday, October 8
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Grand Ole Opry Live! Program Marathon
5-8 pm ET/PT
It's all-Opry, all the time during GAC's Saturday evening marathon
programming block of Grand Ole Opry Live!. The four encore
presentations of the Opry will feature memorable performances by
artists such as Dolly Parton, Travis Tritt and Joe Nichols.
Grand Ole Opry Live! - All-New Live Episode!
9 pm ET/PT
After the Opry Live! marathon, GAC viewers will want to stay tuned
for the network's broadcast of an all-new Opry show live from
Nashville.
Sunday, October 9
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Grand Ole Opry Live! Program Marathon
5-9 pm ET/PT
It's another marathon programming block of memorable Opry Live!
episodes on GAC, including encore performances from hot acts such as
Sugarland, Keith Urban and Alan Jackson.
Week of October 10-14
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CRL - A Salute to The Grand Ole Opry
Weeknights, 8 pm ET/PT
In the week leading up to the Opry 80th celebration on October 15,
GAC's series CRL will feature music and interviews with several of
The Grand Ole Opry's contemporary artists.
Saturday, October 15
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Grand Ole Opry Live! - Live 80th Anniversary Special
9pm ET/PT
The Opry is turning 80, and GAC will celebrate the milestone
birthday of The Grand Ole Opry live from Nashville, along with
country music's biggest superstars and legends. It will be an
evening filled with unforgettable music and plenty of surprises when
a who's who of country music comes together to honor country music's
longest tradition.
Saturday, October 22
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Grand Ole Opry Live! - Martina McBride Live Special
9 pm ET/PT
For the third Saturday in October, GAC will broadcast an all-new,
live episode of Grand Ole Opry Live!, with this episode featuring a
special hourlong performance by Martina McBride showcasing music
from her album "Timeless," which is due in stores October 18. The
album features McBride's take on some of her favorite country
classics.
Saturday, October 29
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Grand Ole Opry Live! - All New Live Episode!
9 pm ET/PT
'Opry Month' on GAC comes to a close with a showcase of country acts
in the final live airing of Grand Ole Opry Live!.
