EARLY LOOK: Grand Ole Opry To Release 100th Anniversary Album Of “Country’s Greatest Songs”
The Grand Ole Opry has announced the upcoming release of an exclusive album for its 100th anniversary (Photo Credit: Grand Ole Opry / Facebook)
Grand Ole Opry Celebrates Its 100th Anniversary In 2025
We’re halfway through 2025, but the celebrations will continue all year for the Grand Ole Opry’s 100th anniversary—and those celebrations include the release of an exclusive new album.
The Opry started the year with a special show honoring longtime member Dolly Parton‘s 79th birthday in January. The performance also marked the Opry’s first Opry 100 show at the Grand Ole Opry house.
Then, in March, the Opry went all-out with a star-studded TV special. The program, which aired on NBC, was hosted by Blake Shelton. It featured performances from artists such as Carrie Underwood, Garth Brooks, Trisha Yearwood, Vince Gill, and Reba McEntire.
At the end of the show, 50+ Opry members gathered together onstage to sing Dolly Parton’s “I Will Always Love You.” The performance also served as a tribute to Parton’s husband, Carl Dean, who passed away shortly before the special aired.
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Additionally, the Opry has hosted a series of tribute shows throughout the year. Called “Tributes to the Trailblazers,” these performances have honored singers such as Loretta Lynn, Johnny Cash, June Carter Cash, and Charlie Daniels.
Upcoming tribute shows will honor Porter Wagoner, Bill Monroe, Roy Acuff, and Minnie Pearl.
An Exclusive New Album, Opry 100: Country’s Greatest Songs, Is Being Released In November – See The Full Tracklist
On July 28, the Grand Ole Opry announced the release of a special album celebrating its 100th anniversary. Titled Opry 100: Country’s Greatest Songs, the exclusive record will highlight the most iconic songs in country music history.
Music Row reports that some of those songs include “Coal Miner’s Daughter,” “Ring of Fire,” and “Forever and Ever, Amen.” The album’s first single, a cover of Hank Williams “Your Cheatin’ Heart” by Ashley McBryde, will be released later this week.
The album contains 20 tracks, which are never-before released recordings from past live performances on the Opry stage. See the full tracklist below:
- Your Cheatin’ Heart” – Ashley McBryde (2024)
- “El Paso” – Marty Robbins and Marty Stuart (1981 / 2024) (Full circle mix)
- “Crazy” – Patsy Cline (1962)
- Ring of Fire” – Johnny Cash (1967)
- “Coal Miner’s Daughter” – Loretta Lynn (1985)
- “Kiss An Angel Good Mornin’” – Darius Rucker (2021)
- “I Will Always Love You” – Dolly Parton (feat. Patty Loveless and Marty Stuart) (2007)
- “The Gambler” – Don Schlitz (feat. Vince Gill) (2025)
- “Devil Went Down to Georgia” – The Charlie Daniels Band (2015)
- “Elvira” – The Oak Ridge Boys (1980)
- “Tennessee Whiskey” – Luke Combs (2016)
- “He Stopped Loving Her Today (Full Circle Mix)” – George Jones and Alan Jackson (1993 / 2013)
- “I Was Country When Country Wasn’t Cool” – Kelsea Ballerini (2025)
- “Forever and Ever, Amen” – Randy Travis (1989)
- “Don’t Close Your Eyes” – Keith Whitley (1988)
- “Fancy” – Reba McEntire (2017)
- “Chattahoochee” – Alan Jackson (2020)
- “Go Rest High on That Mountain” – Vince Gill (feat. Patty Loveless) (2015)
- “Jesus, Take The Wheel” – Carrie Underwood (2018)
- “Mama Don’t Allow / Will The Circle Be Unbroken?” – Old Crow Medicine Show, Dom Flemons, Billy Strings, and Molly Tuttle (2020)
Dan Rogers, the Executive Vice President and Executive Producer of the Grand Ole Opry, told Music Row:
“For me, this collection of great songs truly captures the spirit of the Opry and our centennial celebration. These songs, voted on by Opry fans, come to life through remarkable live performances pulled from our rich archives. From debuts of songs that went on to become classics, to covers of past Opry members’ standards by current members of the cast, to vocal collaborations so perfect it’s hard to believe they were recorded live just one time, I believe the project is truly historic.”
The fan-voted list Rogers referred to is even more extensive. Fans voted on the best country songs released in each decade, and the Opry compiled that list. 20 of those songs were chosen to be featured on the upcoming album.
Opry 100: Country’s Greatest Songs is available to pre-order or pre-save on the Opry’s official website.
