The Grand Ole Opry celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2025, and the milestone received a spectacular three-hour television special, Opry 100. Hosted by Blake Shelton, the March 19, 2025, event brought together some of the biggest names in country music for an unforgettable night honoring the Opry’s incredible history.
Opry 100 Celebrated a Century of the Grand Ole Opry
Reba McEntire opened the Opry 100 celebration with a heartfelt tribute to Patsy Cline and Loretta Lynn before performing “The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia” with Trisha Yearwood.
Carrie Underwood paid tribute to Randy Travis with a medley of his greatest songs, finishing with “Forever and Ever, Amen.” In one of the evening’s most emotional moments, Underwood walked down the stage steps and allowed Travis to deliver the final “Amen,” leaving the audience visibly moved.
Lainey Wilson performed one of Hank Williams’ songs alongside Marty Stuart while playing Williams’ famous guitar. Kelsea Ballerini also honored Barbara Mandrell by performing “I Was Country (When Country Wasn’t Cool)” in front of the country legend.
Alan Jackson had the crowd on its feet with “Chattahoochee,” while Post Malone and Travis Tritt brought plenty of energy with their rock-infused performance of “T-R-O-U-B-L-E.”
Those were just a few of the memorable performances and collaborations featured throughout the historic celebration.
Legendary Artists Joined Forces for the Finale
During the red carpet, WSM host Kelly Sutton teased the evening’s closing performance, revealing that more than 50 living Grand Ole Opry members were in attendance and would come together for a special finale.
She was right—the closing number became one of the most emotional moments of the entire celebration.
The artists who took part in the finale included:
Randy Travis
Blake Shelton
Reba McEntire
Jamey Johnson
Carly Pearce
Ronnie Milsap
Trace Adkins
Clint Black
Trisha Yearwood
Ricky Skaggs
Vince Gill
The Isaacs
Ashley McBryde
Travis Tritt
Carrie Underwood
Lady A
Alison Krauss
Mandy Barnett
Steven Curtis Chapman
Connie Smith
Rhonda Vincent
Dailey & Vincent
The Oak Ridge Boys
Dierks Bentley
T. Graham Brown
Terri Clark
Sharon White / The Whites
Gary Mule Deer
Mark Wills
Crystal Gayle
Dustin Lynch
Del McCoury
Bill Anderson
Larry Gatlin
Henry Cho
Eddie Montgomery
A Moving Tribute to Dolly Parton
As the finale began, Reba McEntire, Lady A, and Carrie Underwood stood at center stage in front of the Opry members gathered on the risers, signaling that they would lead the emotional performance.
Before the music started, McEntire took a moment to address Dolly Parton, who had recently lost her husband. She expressed the group’s sympathy, saying they were sorry for her loss, were praying for her, and would always love her.
Hilary Scott of Lady A then began singing Parton’s iconic classic, “I Will Always Love You.”
Reba and Carrie followed with their own solo moments, while the massive gathering of Opry members joined together to provide harmonies throughout the chorus.
With so many legendary country artists singing one of Dolly Parton’s most beloved songs, the performance served as a powerful tribute to her legacy and to the enduring bond between Parton and the Grand Ole Opry.