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A wrong is finally righted...The Oak Ridge Boys inducted into the Grand Ole Opry

Oak Ridge Boys inducted into the Grand Ole Opry - photo credit: Chris Hollo

I remember singing Elvira clear back when I was an itty bitty kiddy in the 80s, so when news broke not too long that The Oak Ridge Boys were finally being inducted into the Grand Ole Opry I was shocked...not because they were getting the honor but because they hadn't gotten it decades ago. 

I mean seriously?  Carrie Underwood was inducted in 2008 and Blake Shelton was inducted in 2010 but the Oak Ridge Boys hadn't been made members yet? 

I love me some Carrie and Blake (oh how I love me some Blake Shelton) and love all the success they've had, but doesn't that seem a little backwards?  

Oh well, the wrong has finally been righted and last night The Oak Ridge Boys were finally made members of the hallowed halls of the Grand Ole Opry.  

Congrats boys!

Oh, and if you'd like some interesting reading, check out The Oak Ridge Boys Wikipedia page.  Did you know the band was originally founded in the '40s?  Amazing.  They're totally the Menudo of country music. 

You can read the entire press release with all the details after the jump... 

Idols make their Opry debut....Scotty's already got five songs recorded for his new album

Well the winner and runner-up of American Idol, Scotty McCreery and Lauren Alaina, are in Nashville this week whooping it up like true rock country stars.  

The Idol duo are in Nashville this week making all kinds of appearances and shaking hands with the fans for CMA Music Fest and last night they got to mark one thing off their bucket list when they got to sing at the Grand Ole Opry. 

 “I could cry right now. I cannot believe I am here in front of all of you,” runner-up Lauren said. Pointing to her knees, she continued, “I’ve dreamed of this day since I was about this tall. … as tall as my heels! … I never get nervous singing, and my knees are shaking!”

“Wow! This is such an honor to be here tonight,” Idol winner Scotty said when he hit the stage next. “I was bagging groceries just a couple of months ago.”

Earlier in the day in an interview with DJs from K Frog, Scotty revealed that he's already recorded five songs for his upcoming debut album.  He then went on to reveal that he had a run in with Keith Urban recently....in the bathroom at the CMT Awards. 

The two washed hands and then shook hands.  Listen to the full interview here.

Scotty and Lauren will next make an appearance at this morning's City of Hope Softball Game.  

Opry debut full press release after the jump....

Toby Keith To Play Grand Ole Opry at the Ryman

This bit of news came as quite the surprise to me & many others; "Toby Keith To Play The Ryman."  Mr. Keith has been labled a "Rebel" of sorts & does not easily conform with the "Ways of the Nashville" music industry.  Feels it is too political & not about the music.  So when I found this information I was very surprised.  http://search2.opry.com/?view=events  Toby has often said he does have the utmost respect for the Grand Ole Opry, but could not commit to making a number of appearances.

Keith's first & only appearance on the Opry was December 14, 2002.  As I look over the list of those in attendance that day, there is one common denominator to that & the upcoming January 29th performance: Trace Adkins. As we all know Trace is now on the Toby's Show Dog/Universal  lable, so do you surmise there was some coaxing there on Akdins part to get Toby to perform?  Or did the Opry extend the invite & Toby found the time to accept?  Many in Toby's large very loyal fan base surmise there could be an induction invite in the wings & that is the reason for this appearance.

Whatever the reasoning behind Keith's appearance, if there really is any big theory, this is another kudo to his long range career that does not appear to be on the way out anytime soon.  It will be a great night for the Opry & Toby fans alike.

 

 

Grand Ole Opry....There's an app for that

Old press release that I never covered but thought might interest you iPhone users out there.....

 
 
The world's longest-running live radio show can now fit in the palm of music fans hands. The Grand Ole Opry has launched a free mobile app just in time for fans around the world to celebrate the Opry’s 85th birthday this weekend. The Opry app is available for download now at www.opry.com/appfor iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, and Android devices.

Among the ways in which fans can utilize the app to stay connected to the Opry:

• Listen to 650 WSM radio, flagship station of the Opry, including Opry broadcasts
• See the latest calendar of Opry shows and scheduled artist appearances
• Purchase tickets to upcoming Opry shows
• Watch videos of Opry performances, interviews, and more
• See photos of artists' Opry appearances
• View Opry member bios
• Enter to win exciting Opry contests featuring trips to Nashville, autographed artist merchandise, and more
• Read and comment on country music news and blogs
• Browse The Opry Shop online store
• Receive Push Notifications about special offers, breaking news, and artist confirmations
• Connect to the Opry through Facebook and Twitter
• Share and comment on stories, photos, and videos
• Sign up for the Opry Update email newsletter

Miranda Lambert is engaged to the newest member of the Opry!!!

How fun! Miranda Lambert tweeted that she couldn't wait to be engaged to the newest member of the Opry....and I just loved that! What a fun perspective!

Blake was inducted on October 23 and it seems like it was one big party in Nashville. Um, did you expect anything less from Blake?! Not me!

Although, I will say that I think the coolest part of the whole thing was the way that his buddy, and fellow Hillbilly Bone Singer, Trace Adkins was in on the invitation! So incredibly Country-Cool.

Check it out here.

Yay, Opry to be streamed live on MySpace starting this Saturday

 

Hey, hey, hey, the Grand Ole Opry is moving up in the world.  The country music staple is teaming up with MySpace Music to offer fans the chance to watch Opry performances streamed live on their MySpace page.  The first live streaming will be this Saturday when Martina McBride, Rodney Atkins, Jake Owen, and Carrie Underwood will take the stage. 

A pre-show webcast will begin at 8:30 p.m. ET featuring artist interviews, video clips, and more live from backstage at the Opry. Make sure you catch all the action here.

For the Patty Loveless fans

Patty Loveless' website has a whole bunch of great pictures of her Grand Ole Opry performance on Friday.  Be sure to check them out here if you're a fan. 

Montgomery Gentry, the induction

That post title sort of sounds like an illness, doesn't it?

Anyway, here's video of Montgomery Gentry getting inducted into the Opry earlier this week. 

Emotional day for Montgomery Gentry

 

Digital Rodeo has a great set of pictures from Montgomery Gentry being inducted into the Grand Ole Opry last night.  Check them all out here. 

Geez I love to see a guy cry, nothing makes me tear up faster.  I'm so happy for Montgomery Gentry. 

Trace Adkins is the new face of the dollar

 Dollar General will be announcing a new sponsorship of the Grand Ole Opry on June 9 in the 8 pm segment during Trace Adkins' performance.  To help celebrate, Trace will announce a big sweepstakes that will be launching soon in all Dollar General stores.

Trace will serve as the face of Dollar General’s Big Stage Sweepstakes and will announce the sweepstakes during his Opry performance June 9. The sweepstakes launches June 28 and runs through Oct. 1, 2009.  Dollar General will award more than 2,000 exciting prizes, including a grand prize trip to Nashville to meet Adkins and watch him perform live on the Opry plus $50,000 cash.

As part of its sponsorship deal, Dollar General will advertise on Opry performances as well as brand association in Opry print, radio and television advertising as well as on the Opry’s Web site.