Mid-Week Opry Shows

Before getting into the mid-week lineups, I just wanted to comment on the Grand Ole Opry shows this past weekend and the dedication on Saturday night to Don Schlitz. I thought Dan Rogers did an outstanding job with his dedication. It was so heartfelt and emotional. Don meant so much to the Opry in the short time he was a member, and you could tell, not only in Dan's comments, but also from Vince and Charles Esten. In fact, each of those performing on Saturday night, and the vast majority of those on Friday, mentioned Don and how much he meant to each of them. Ending the show with Vince singing "Go Rest High" was perfect, especially with Vince inviting anyone who was backstage to come out and sing it with him. The chorus of "The Gambler" ending the night was the icing on the cake. 

It is always tough losing an Opry member. I think when a member is retired and away from the Opry at the time of their death, it doesn't touch the heart as much as it does with an active member. Within the past year we have lost three such members: Jeannie Seely, Buck White and Don Schlitz. Like with the others, the Opry will move on and continue. But each time one of the members passes, it does leave a hole and with Don, it leaves a big one. 

Now moving on, it was noted last week how many Grand Ole Opry appearances The Oak Ridge Boys have made thus far in 2026 and there are two more on the schedule as the Oaks are on the schedule for both the Tuesday and Wednesday night Opry shows this week. 

Joining the group on Tuesday night are Opry members Mark Wills, The Whites, Lauren Alaina and Old Crow Medicine Show, in what is a very strong lineup for the mid-week show.

Tuesday April 21
7:00: Mark Wills, Graham Barham, The Band of Heathens, The Oak Ridge Boys
Intermission
8:20: The Whites, Drake Milligan, Lauren Alaina, Old Crow Medicine Show

In addition to the Oaks on Wednesday night, Opry members T. Graham Brown and Charlie McCoy are scheduled, as is very frequent Opry guest Maggie Rose and the very popular act The Shootouts. We also have a pair of Opry debuts with Landon Bryant and Owen Riegling making their first Opry appearance. 

Wednesday April 22
7:00: T. Graham Brown, The Shootouts, Owen Riegling, Maggie Rose
Intermission
8:20: Charlie McCoy, Landon Bryant, The Band Perry, The Oak Ridge Boys

Finally, Opry Country Classics is back on Thursday night with Larry Gatlin hosting and Dailey & Vincent as the Spotlight Artists

Thursday April 23
7:00
Host: Larry Gatlin
Spotlight Artist: Dailey & Vincent
Also Appearing: The Gatlin Brothers, Rhonda Vincent, Michael Cleveland, Charlie Worsham, Belmont Bluegrass

Regarding the two Opry debuts on Wednesday night: 

Landon Bryant is a comedian and best-selling author. from Laurel, Mississippi, and the voice behind the popular account LandonTalks. He has written two books with Running Press, a division of Hachette Book Group, with a third on the way. His work has been featured in the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, The Atlantic, and Southern Living, and he writes a humor column for Good Grit magazine. Landon hosts the podcast LandonTalks with Kate and has sold out comedy clubs across the country.

Owen Riegling received his Opry invite from Tyler Hubbard. Owen is an award singer/songwriter from Canada. After winning the 2022 Boots & Hearts Festival Emerging Artist Competition and signing with Universal Music Canada, Riegling broke through with his platinum-certified hit “Old Dirt Roads”. His expanded EP-turned-album Bruce County (From The Beginning) earned major recognition, including 2025 CCMA Album of the Year, multiple Country Music of Ontario Awards, and a 2025 Juno Award nomination for Breakthrough Artist of the Year. With more than 165 million global streams, his momentum continues to build.