Mid-Week Opry Shows

This week, the Grand Ole Opry begins what is basically their summer schedule, with mid-week Opry shows on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday nights. The highlight this week will be the Wednesday Night Opry when the Opry, as part of its series of "Opry 100 Honors" celebrates the legacy of Don Williams 

From the press release: 

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - (April 23, 2026) - As part of its ongoing Opry 100 celebration, the Grand Ole Opry, presented by Humana, continues the next in a series of” Opry 100 Honors” shows for June, celebrating the iconic Don Williams on June 10. Opry 100 Honors Don Williams will feature performances by Opry members Keith Urban, Trisha Yearwood, and more. Williams became an Opry member 50 years ago today, singing "The Shelter of Your Eyes" and "You're My Best Friend." 

A collection of previously unheard tracks by Don was discovered by his son Tim and longtime producer, Garth Fundis, and are to be released as a new album titled Epilogue: The Cellar Tapes. The new music is set to be released on May 29th via Craft Recordings. The recordings date from 1979 to 1984, a defining period in Williams’ career that produced enduring classics including “Good Ole Boys Like Me,” “It Must Be Love,” “I Believe in You,” “Lord, I Hope This Day Is Good,” and “Tulsa Time."

Urban has frequently named Williams as one of the biggest influences of his career. His father was a big fan of Williams so his music was a constant sound in Urban’s home. The Australia native has said Williams music sounds like his childhood. Urban collaborated with Williams on Williams’ track “Imagine That” in 2012 for one of the two duet tracks on Williams studio album And So It Goes.

Yearwood, who has cited Williams as one of her musical heroes, performed “Maggie’s Dream” on the 2017 tribute album Gentle Giants: The Songs of Don Williams. Yearwood and Williams both worked with famed producer Garth Fundis. Fundis was the architect behind Williams’ calm and measured sound throughout the late 1970s and 80s.

The special series of “Opry 100 Honors” shows, sponsored by Dan Post, pay tribute to several of the icons who have helped shape the Opry’s first century. Since the series launched in 2025, the Opry has honored music and Opry greats Loretta Lynn, Johnny Cash & June Carter Cash, Charlie Daniels, Porter Wagoner, Bill Monroe, Minnie Pearl and Roy Acuff, Hank Williams and Little Jimmy Dickens.

(Since the press release, several more artists have been added. In addition to Keith Urban and Trisha Yearwood, the schedule now includes Jamey Johnson, The Isaacs, Brandy Clark Rodney Crowell and John Foster)

Don Williams joined the Grand Ole Opry on April 23, 1976. Here is what the Tennessean wrote about that night: 

Country singer/songwriter Don Willians became the 60th member of the Grand Ole Opry last night. Introduced by Jeanne Pruett as "a superstar, a tremendous songwriter, a very gifted actor, a loving father and a wonderful husband," Willians sang The Shelter of Your Eyes and You're My Best Friend. 

A relative newcomer to the ranks of solo country artists, Williams maintained a characteristic modesty upon his selection to Opry membership. "To tell you the truth, I'm a little scared," he said before the initial appearance as a regular. "It's such an institution. I feel a whole lot the first night I walked on stage at the Ryman. It's a little bigger than life, or something." 

While he coped with microphone trouble while introducing his first song, Williams added, "I'm so nervous I'm about to fall over." But the jitters seemed unfounded when the crowd responded to his music. 

Williams gained his early musical fame in the 1960s through a folk/pop group he organized, the Pozo-Seco Singers. It was not until April 1972, that he recorded in a Nashville studio as a solo act, cutting at that time several country songs of his own composition. Since that time, he has had continued recording success (for the past two years with ABC's Dot) and has opened his own music publishing company. He also had a prominent role with Burt Reynolds and Jerry Reed in a movie W.W. and the Dixie Dancekings. 

Williams had made numerous guest appearances on the Opry before manager Hal Durham invited him to join the regular cast on Thursday. His selection for membership follows closely that of Ronnie Milsap, another young singer who came to country music in the relatively recent past after finding success in the pop music field. 

If Don had stayed as an Opry member, and had not passed away, Don would have celebrated his 50th anniversary as an Opry member this year. However, he made his last Opry appearance as a member on August 22, 1981, after which he quietly gave up his membership. Even though he was no longer an Opry member, he still came back to make an occasional appearance. While nothing was really said at the time, with his career taking off and experiencing some medical issues, it was apparent that Don felt that Opry membership, and the commitment to the Opry was something that he no longer wanted to do. 

Wednesday June 10 
7:00: John Foster, Rodney Crowell, Brandy Clark, The Isaacs
Intermission
8:20: Jamey Johnson, Trisha Yearwood, Keith Urban

In addition to the Wednesday night show, there is also a Tuesday and Thursday night Opry show this week. 

The Tuesday Night Opry features members T. Graham Brown and Mandy Barnett. Also on the schedule are Nate Smith, Drew Baldridge, Jo Dee Messina, Straight No Chaser, Travelin' McCourys and making her Opry debut, Caitlynne Curtis. 

On the Thursday Night Opry, Scotty McCreery is scheduled, as are Rhonda Vincent and Charlie McCoy. Non-members listed are Kaitlin Butts, Kip Moore, and two groups who will be making their Opry debuts. Amble and Jason Scott & The High Heat, 

Tuesday June 9
7:00: T. Graham Brown, Drew Baldridge, Caitlynne Curtis, Jo Dee Messina
Intermission
8:20: Mandy Barnett, Straight No Chaser, Nate Smith, The Travelin' McCourys

Thursday June 11
7:00: Rhonda Vincent, Jason Scott & The High Heat, Charlie McCoy, Kip Moore
Intermission
8:20: Kaitlin Butts, Amble, Scotty McCreery