I recently had the honor of going backstage and attending one of the many special Grand Ole Opry performances during their 100th year anniversary. It is the most legendary of stages for every generation of country music since 1925. I was there with the iconic Donna Fargo who served as a guest announcer, introducing a young new talented lady by the name of Avery Anna who sang Donna's special song, "The Happiest Girl in the Whole USA," as they continue to bridge generations.
Those once-in-a-lifetime moments spotlighting the most famous songs in country music are all part of a new album celebrating the Grand Ole Opry's 100th anniversary. Opry 100:Country's Greatest Songs is the title of this new collection of music available on November 7th on vinyl and CD. These are live recorded performances from that hardwood circle....and not just any performances. There are some historical, archived recordings included from Johnny Cash, Marty Robbins and George Jones, along with Keith Whitley and Carrie Underwood.
OPRY 100: Country’s Greatest Songs Track Listing:
1. “Your Cheatin’ Heart” - Ashley McBryde (2024)
2. “El Paso” - Marty Robbins and Marty Stuart (1981 / 2024) (Full circle mix)
3. “Crazy” - Patsy Cline (1962)
4. “Ring of Fire” - Johnny Cash (1967)
5. “Coal Miner’s Daughter” - Loretta Lynn (1985)
6. “Kiss An Angel Good Mornin’” - Darius Rucker (2021)
7. “I Will Always Love You” - Dolly Parton (feat. Patty Loveless and Marty Stuart) (2007)
8. “The Gambler” - Don Schlitz (feat. Vince Gill) (2025)
9. “Devil Went Down to Georgia” - The Charlie Daniels Band (2015)
10. “Elvira” - The Oak Ridge Boys (1980)
11. “Tennessee Whiskey” - Luke Combs (2016)
12. “He Stopped Loving Her Today (Full Circle Mix)” - George Jones and Alan Jackson (1993 / 2013)
13. “I Was Country When Country Wasn’t Cool” - Kelsea Ballerini (2025)
14. “Forever and Ever, Amen” - Randy Travis (1989)
15. “Don’t Close Your Eyes” - Keith Whitley (1988)
16. “Fancy” - Reba McEntire (2017)
17. “Chattahoochee” - Alan Jackson (2020)
18. “Go Rest High on That Mountain” - Vince Gill (feat. Patty Loveless) (2015)
19. “Jesus, Take The Wheel” - Carrie Underwood (2018)
20. “Mama Don’t Allow / Will The Circle Be Unbroken?” - Old Crow Medicine Show, Dom Flemons, Billy Strings, and Molly Tuttle (2020)
You can pre-order this album at www.opry100.com. But, this sounds like it is going to be a collectors item for your music library.
