Opry's 85th birthday to feature all-star guitar jam

Grand Ole Opry superstars Vince Gill, Brad Paisley, Ricky Skaggs, and Steve Wariner are picking up their guitars and hitting the Opry stage Tues., May 25 to officially launch a months-long celebration of the Opry’s 85th birthday with an all-star guitar jam. As a part of the night’s Tuesday Night Opry, each Opry member will take the stage individually followed by a guitar jam finale featuring the group’s take on some of the most popular songs in Opry history.

The four artists-- each known as a million-selling recording artist as well as an impeccable musician-- have together amassed more than 75 Country Music Association and Grammy® Awards.

The night will light the fuse on a celebration to continue throughout the year as the show that made country music famous celebrates its 85th birthday with country music’s most popular artists and biggest fans.

Among the highlights of the celebration launching May 25:

Guitar Greetings: Two new 20-foot, 3,000-pound steel and aluminum Opry 85th guitars will be unveiled outside the Grand Ole Opry House, officially welcoming visitors to the Opry party. Both fans and superstars will also be invited to sign other oversized guitars on display throughout the landmark birthday year, and larger than life Opry 85th décor featuring Opry members including Trace Adkins, Charlie Daniels, Loretta Lynn, and others will cover much of the front façade of the Grand Ole Opry House.

Star-Packed Shows: Opry performances are scheduled for up to four days a week this summer (Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday) with upcoming performances by Lady Antebellum, Oak Ridge Boys, Charley Pride, Josh Turner, and more. Opry Country Classics runs Thursdays through June 17 and again this fall at the historic Ryman Auditorium, and HEE HAW alum Mike Snider honors the Opry’s rich country comedy traditions in Pickin’ & Grinnin’: A Grand Ole Comedy Revue on select dates June through October in Studio A at the Opry House. Meanwhile, the songs of one of the Opry’s most enduring legends, Patsy Cline, are set to take center stage at the Ryman this summer in the return of Always…Patsy Cline.

In Pictures: A gallery showcasing some of the Opry’s most memorable moments captured by the Opry’s official photographer for over a decade, Chris Hollo, as well as past staff photographer Les Leverett is one of three new exhibits set to open in celebration of the Opry’s 85th in the Grand Ole Opry Museum, located steps away from the Opry House. Other exhibits will spotlight the Opry in the first decade of the new millennium, including artifacts from Martina McBride, Montgomery Gentry, Carrie Underwood, and more; a third salutes late Opry icon Porter Wagoner.

Be Our Guest: The Opry has for years welcomed famous fans from all walks of life to its stage, including every U.S. President from Richard Nixon through George W. Bush. Recent guests including Garrison Keillor and Good Morning America’s Robin Roberts and have played a part in the Opry by acting as Opry guest announcers. In celebration of the Opry’s 85th, a who’s-who of celebrities will appear as guest announcers while the show will also launch an “I’m With The Band” series. “I’m With The Band” will invite personalities from outside the country world who have an interest in music to sit in with the Opry band for a song on country music’s most revered stage.

Stars’ Guitars: As country music devotees descend on Nashville for CMA Music Fest, a June 11 Guitars of the Stars Benefit Auction will give fans the unique opportunity to bid on acoustic guitars decorated by some of country music’s most popular stars including award-winners Luke Bryan, The Judds, and Darius Rucker. Proceeds will benefit the Opry Trust Fund, which has for more than 40 years assisted members of the country music community in need.

Birthday Bash: The Opry’s 85th Birthday Bash weekend featuring Opry Birthday Shows and an Opry Plaza Birthday Party is scheduled for Oct. 8 – 9.

To plan an Opry visit or book an Opry 85th vacation package, call (800) SEE-OPRY or log on to opry.com. Schedules of events, Opry 85th sweepstakes, and more will be continuously updated throughout the celebration at opry.com/85. The Grand Ole Opry® is presented by Humana®.