October Is Opry Month!

NASHVILLE, TN (Grand Ole Opry) - The Grand Ole Opry presented by Cracker Barrel Old Country Store is set to celebrate 'Opry Month' with star-studded shows throughout October and four consecutive weeks of first-run versions of 'Grand Ole Opry Live' on GAC: Great American Country. The excitement begins this weekend with performances by Opry legend Loretta Lynn plus Dierks Bentley, Raul Malo, and Nashville Star winner Chris Young. Newcomer Young will also appear in The Opry Shop Saturday evening from 5 – 6 p.m. signing copies of his self-titled debut CD.

Vince Gill will welcome a number of friends who joined him in the studio to record cuts for his four-CD set These Days to the Opry stage Sat., Oct. 14. Among those appearing with Gill will be Guy Clark, Rodney Crowell, Patty Loveless, and Gill's daughter, Jenny. Gill's new project will be released the following Tuesday.

On Oct. 20 and 21, the Opry will welcome some of country music's brightest stars and biggest fans to the Opry House in celebration of its 81st birthday. The Opry's Birthday Bash will include two star-packed Signature Shows both Friday and Saturday nights, Oct. 20 (7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.) and 21 (6:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.). Performers scheduled to appear on Friday include Opry members Jimmy Dickens, Charley Pride , and Ricky Skaggs. Saturday's shows will include appearances by LeAnn Rimes, Charley Pride , Travis Tritt , and Trisha Yearwood , among many others. Country Music Hall of Fame member Pride will add to the party with an Opry Birthday Bash Concert Sat., Oct. 21 at 1 p.m. In addition, fans can make a full day of fun on Oct. 21, as the Opry Plaza will be overflowing with birthday activities.

Artists including Lorrie Morgan , Blaine Larsen, and Randy Owen are scheduled to take the stage Sat., Oct. 28 performing Barbara Mandrell hits they contributed to the forthcoming album She Was Country When Country Wasn't Cool: A Tribute To Barbara Mandrell . Though retired from performing, Mandrell will host 'Grand Ole Opry Live' that evening.

Other artists scheduled to appear throughout the month include Joe Nichols, IBMA Entertainers of the Year The Grascals, Gene Watson (Oct. 10); Julie Roberts (Oct. 17); Trace Adkins, Jamie O'Neal (Oct. 24); Kellie Pickler (Oct. 27.)

The Grand Ole Opry is presented by Cracker Barrel Old Country Store. Grand Ole Opry, Charley Pride Concert and Opry Birthday packages are available by calling 615-871-OPRY or 800-SEE-OPRY or by visiting www.opry.com. Artists and schedules are subject to change.