Grand Ole Opry Plans 75th Anniversary Celebration

Nashville's "Grand Ole Opry," the world's longest running live radio show, has announced plans to celebrate its 75th anniversary with a series of concerts, festivals, and other events. The show is broadcast weekly on clear channel station WSM (650 AM).

The celebration will begin with a June 10 press conference, followed by a "Kick-Off Party" in the Opry Plaza on the grounds outside the Grand Ole Opry House, and is expected to last well into 2001.

The highlight of the activities will be the star-studded 75th Birthday Bash, to be held Oct. 13-15. Grand Ole Opry members past and present will be on hand, including Loretta Lynn, who will celebrate the 40th anniversary of her first appearance on the Opry on Oct. 15.

The current cast of the Grand Ole Opry includes 70 artists, including Garth Brooks, Diamond Rio, Jimmy Dickens, Vince Gill, Patty Loveless, Martina McBride, Lorrie Morgan, Dolly Parton, Jeannie Seely, Jean Shepard, Ricky Skaggs, Connie Smith, Marty Stuart, Porter Wagoner, and Trisha Yearwood, among others.

Among the currently planned activities that will celebrate the tradition and history of the Grand Ole Opry:

* Weekly Opry Plaza parties, beginning June 16 and lasting through Aug. 4. Among the acts already confirmed are Asleep At The Wheel, the Derailers, and Beausoleil.

* OpryFest Gospel Jubilee, July 15-16. Performers Jeff and Sheri Easter, the Crabb Family, and Karen Peck and New River, will participate. The weekend will also incorporate "The Big One," a national Southern Gospel music competition.

* OpryFest Bluegrass Jamboree, July 22-23. Celebrated bluegrass entertainers, including the Del McCoury Band, Osborne Brothers, Mike Snider, and others, will perform.

* OpryFest Grand Ole Clogging and Square Dance Festival, July 29-30.

* The Bill Monroe Bluegrass Celebration, Oct. 13-15. The celebration will include the revival of the Grand Master Fiddler Championship.

For more information on the celebration, visit www.opry.com.