Country music royalty Vince Gill and Grammy-winner Carly Pearce are helping launch a major new exhibit celebrating 100 years of the Grand Ole Opry this fall at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville.
Marking 100 years of perhaps the most iconic live radio show in the world, The Grandest Stage: The Opry at 100 will spotlight the artists, milestones, and stories that made the Grand Ole Opry the epicenter of country music — and a cornerstone of American culture.
As part of the opening-day celebration, Gill, Pearce, and Opry executive producer Dan Rogers will take part in a live panel discussion at the museum’s Ford Theater, moderated by Hall of Fame editorial director Paul Kingsbury. The panel discussion is scheduled for Thursday, September 18, at 2 p.m. CT. Tickets go on sale August 22.
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The exhibition, open through March 2027, will showcase never-before-seen artifacts, including Minnie Pearl’s original $1.98 hat, Reba McEntire’s debut boots, a hand-built dulcimer from the 1920s, and Gill’s personal Opry memorabilia.
⭐ A Century on Country Music’s Most Famous Stage
Launched in 1925 by WSM radio with a single fiddler’s performance, the Grand Ole Opry grew from a local barn dance into a national phenomenon, becoming a launchpad for legends like Dolly Parton, Garth Brooks, Johnny Cash, Patsy Cline, and Hank Williams.
Throughout the decades, the Opry has endured through incredible changes in technology, culture, and music, yet it is still going strong 100 years later. The exhibit will chronicle the Opry’s impact on Nashville’s rise as the country music capital and include interactive elements for all ages.
“The Opry’s status as America’s leading country music radio show, from the 1940s into the 1960s, made possible Nashville’s emergence as the undisputed center of the country music industry. This exhibit surveys the enduring history of a program that’s survived a century of change,” said Kyle Young, CEO of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.
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“As country music continues to expand globally, the Opry has stood as its heart for a century,” added Patrick Moore, CEO of Opry Entertainment Group. “It’s the birthplace of traditions and stories that define Nashville’s unique imprint on the genre. We’re honored to be the subject of this exhibition at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, showcasing why the Opry is not only a Nashville landmark but also a cherished touchstone for fans worldwide.”
🎤 Family Fun and Fan Experiences
The exhibit includes family-focused programs, like a hands-on “Bedazzled Buttons” art event, microphone decorating, and an old-school fan letter station for writing to favorite Opry stars. All activities will be hosted in the Taylor Swift Education Center at the museum. Here are the specific dates for family activities:
Wednesday, Oct. 1 – Friday, Oct. 31 – Grand Ole Opry Letter Writing
Museum visitors can write a letter to their favorite Opry member. Letter-writing materials will be provided, and guests can put their completed letters in a mailbox for direct delivery to the Opry.Friday, Oct. 17 and Saturday, Oct. 18, 10 a.m. to Noon – Family Program: Adorn a Microphone
Museum visitors can create an inventive microphone using color, gems, sequins and their own creativity. Then, participants can snap a photo behind the iconic Grand Ole Opry microphone stand.
Sunday, Nov. 2, 10 a.m. to Noon – Family Program: Bedazzled Buttons
Music fans often wear buttons, bracelets and other accessories to show support for their favorite artists. During this program, museum visitors can make their own button celebrating 100 years of the Grand Ole Opry.
Among the most-visited history museums in the country, the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum was awarded the National Medal of Arts in 2024.
💡 If You Go:
Opening panel event: Sept. 18, 2 p.m. – Vince Gill, Carly Pearce, Dan Rogers (Tickets available Aug. 22)
Exhibit duration: Sept. 18, 2025 – March 2027
Location: Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, Nashville
Admission: Exhibit included with museum entry
More info:countrymusichalloffame.org
This story was originally reported by Parade on Aug 21, 2025, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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