2025 Grand Ole Opry Recap

Another year is in the books as the Grand Ole Opry celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2025. As usual, it was a busy one. From past experience, I know that there a lot of the readers, and Opry fans in general, who are interested in the numbers from the previous year. So, with that in mind, here is a short recap of 2025. 

During the year, there were moments to enjoy as Steve Earle and Kathy Mattea became Opry members. Suzy Bogguss and Jelly Roll were invited to join the cast. There were special guest appearances by icons such as Ringo Starr, Train, Munford & Sons, Bill Medley, Hardy and James Taylor. 

Sadly, the Opry lost three of its long-time members as Buck White, and Opry member for more than 40 years with The Whites, Jeannie Seely, who appeared on the Opry more than any other member in the history of the show, and Stu Phillips, who was an Opry member for 58 years, passed away during the year. 

All in all, there were over 230 shows during the year and when it was all done, there was an Opry show literally every night of the week at some point during the year. The Opry started the year with 76 members and ended the year with the same number, which is the most current Opry members in the history of the show. 

Speaking of those 76 members, here is a look at the Top 10 in appearances this past year: 

Don Schlitz: 82
Riders In The Sky: 78
Mandy Barnett: 61
T. Graham Brown: 54
Connie Smith: 48
Charlie McCoy: 45
John Conlee: 42
Vince Gill: 39
Dailey & Vincent: 39
Gatlin Brothers: 37

While currently there is no set number of appearances that Opry members are required to make, during the Pete Fisher years he asked new members to commit to 10 appearances each year. Using that number as a guide, which I have done for several years, here are those members: 

Rhonda Vincent: 35
Gary Mule Deer: 35
Bill Anderson: 32
Mark Wills: 31
The Isaacs: 23
Ricky Skaggs: 17
The Whites: 16
Del McCoury: 16
Henry Cho: 13
Marty Stuart: 11
Gene Watson: 11
Jamey Johnson: 11
Steven Curtis Chapman: 11
Carrie Underwood: 10

A previous post that I did highlight the members who had not made any Opry appearances in 2025, so I feel there is no need to rehash that topic. I think everyone knows who they are. As far as the rest:

Pam Tillis, Old Crow Medicine Show: 9
Craig Morgan, Lorrie Morgan, Ashley McBryde, Kathy Mattea: 8
Dustin Lynch, Crystal Gayle: 7
Carly Pearce, Oak Ridge Boys, Steve Earle, Scotty McCreery: 6
Eddie Montgomery, Terri Clark, Chris Janson, Sara Evans: 5
Lainey Wilson, Jon Pardi, Lauren Alaina, Steve Wariner: 4
Trace Adkins: 3

The remaining non-listed members made 2 or less appearances for the year

Of the non-members, those making the most appearances included Charles Esten appearing the most with 12 appearances. Others who appeared over 5 times included John Foster, Rhett Akins, Jimmy Fortune, Bryce Leatherwood, John Carter Cash, The War and Treaty, Tigirlily Gold, Sister Sadie, Erin Enderlin, Louise Mandrell, Ana Christina Cash, Maggie Rose, Madeline Edwards, Mickey Guyton, Mae Estes and Sunny Sweeney. 

Suzy Bogguss and Jelly Roll were invited to join the Opry, with those inductions taking place this year. In 2025, Suzy made 7 appearances and Jelly Roll appeared 6 times. 

When the announcement was made regarding Opry 100 and the plans for the year, it was announced that the goal would be 100 Opry debuts during the year, which would be less than in previous years. Well, the Opry came in right at the number. There was a lot of variety in those debuts, which included classic country, rock, bluegrass, comedy, Americana, instrumental, blues, rap and Texas swing. There were also Voice and American Idol winners and contestants.

(A note regarding Opry appearances: an appearance at an Opry show that is aired on WSM is considered an Opry appearance. That includes Opry Country Classica, Opry Country Christmas and the London show. It does not include the NBC Opry 100 production in March). 


Being that it was the Grand Ole Opry's 100th anniversary, I thought there were some amazing and special shows during the year. Here is my ranking of the Top 5 Opry shows of 2025: 

1) Friday November 28: The Grand Ole Opry celebrated its 100th anniversary with two shows on the exact date of the 100th. The night featured over 25 performances with the vast majority being Opry members. Both shows were also livestreamed on the Opry's streaming sites which allowed millions who could not attend the shows, to witness this historic event. Each show lasted almost three hours and highlighted the core group of Opry member who have traditionally supported the show. 

2) Wednesday March 19: NBC's Opry 100: A Live Celebration set the tone for the Opry’s centennial year. Hosted by Blake Shelton, the special was packed with unforgettable performances, touching tributes, crossover collaborations, and so much more. The three-hour show included over 50 Opry members, along with some special guests. It was viewed as the kick-off for the 100th year. 

3) Friday September 26: The Grand Ole Opry went to London and Royal Albert Hall for the first time with a show featuring Opry members Darius Rucker, Carly Pearce, Marty Stuart, Ashley McBryde and Luke Combs. The show was so successful that there are some who would like to see it repeated. 

4) Friday February 21: In the history of the Opry, numerous special guests have appeared on the show, but never a member of The Beatles. That changed as Ringo Starr made a guest appearance on the show and what a night it was. Ringo was joined by several Opry members and guests who treated the audience to an array of Beatles songs. It was a fun night. 

5) Sunday October 5: WSM radio celebrated its 100th anniversary with a day of activities at the Opry House that included a special Sunday Night Opry. Dailey & Vincent, Vince Gill, Ketch Secor, Pam Tillis and special guests appeared on the show that was livestreamed. It was a great way to honor the station.

While those are my five, there were other special shows that need mention. Each of the Opry 100 Honors was special. The shows honored Loretta Lynn, Johnny & June Carter Cash, Charlie Daniels, Porter Wagoner, Bill Monroe and Roy Acuff and Minnie Pearl. Each of those shows were special and there are more to come in 2026. 

Each of the October birthday shows were also special. Besides the show honoring Roy Acuff and Minnie Pearl, Garth Brooks, Trisha Yearwood, Vince Gill, Patty Loveless and Carrie Underwood all made appearances during the month. There were also an Opry induction and an Opry invite, with Kathy Mattea joining the cast and Suzy Bogguss being invited to join. 

Opry Country Christmas again took place, and each show was outstanding. More Christmas shows are on the schedule for the coming year. 

And who could forget the night James Taylor made his Opry debut? I actually considered adding that to my Top 5 list as 5B. Vince Gill and Emmylou Harris joined James that night. Another landmark debut for the Opry. 

So what is in store for 2026? With Opry 100 continuing through the year, or at least until the fall, there are already some special dates and shows on the schedule. A few include: 

Saturday February 28: The Opry celebrates the movie and soundtrack of O Brother, Where Art Thou? While no artists have been announced yet for that night, it promises to be special. 

Friday March 20: The Grand Ole Opry returns to Carnegie Hall. The show will be part of the "United in Sound: America 250" festival. Listed as scheduled to appear are Opry members Rhonda Vincent, Scotty McCreery and Henry Cho. Also on the bill are The War and Treaty. 

Friday & Saturday October 2 & 3: The Grand Ole Opry Birthday Weekend is scheduled. Unlike this past year when a birthday month was celebrated, this year it is back to just one weekend. 

Also on the schedule, in addition to Opry 100 Honors Hank Williams in January, there will also be Opry 100 Honors shows continuing with Patsy Cline and Charley Pride among the future honorees. 

On Christmas day, the Gatlin Brothers will celebrate their 50th anniversary as members of the Grand Ole Opry. Other significant anniversaries include: 

John Conlee: 45
Reba McEntire, Randy Travis: 40
Clint Black, Alan Jackson, Vince Gill: 35
Steve Wariner: 30
Brad Paisley: 25
Oak Ridge Boys, Rascal Flatts: 15

And most importantly, Bill Anderson's 65th Opry anniversary in July. 

It definitely looks like another busy year for the Grand Ole Opry. 

If the trend in past years continues, we can expect at least several new Opry members this coming year. Who could they be? There are a lot of potential choices out there so who knows? Sometimes figuring out who might be the next Opry member is like trying to figure out who will be the next member of the Country Music Hall of Fame. 

As always, I think all of us owe a thanks to Dan Rogers and his entire team. I know for Dan it was a very busy and stressful year with all of the shows and activities that took place. Hopefully things will be a bit calm in 2026, but with what is already on the schedule, who knows. 

On a personal note, I want to think Craig Shelburne, the author of "100 Years of Grand Ole Opry" for the acknowledgement in the book, along with Bryan West for including me in the documentary "Full Circle: 100 Years of The Grand Ole Opry, and the book with the same title. For those who have not watched the documentary, it is on YouTube, which I highly recommend along with both books. 

There you have it for 2025. As always, a special thanks to everyone. I know I have said it before, but I really do appreciate each and everyone. The journey continues into 2026, and I look forward to another year of the Grand Ole Opry. 

(As always, if I missed something, you have my apologies)