It’s Country Music’s Big Birthday Today!

The home of country music, the Grand Ole Opry is celebrating a birthday. It’s country music’s big birthday today! The Grand Ole Opry, the world’s longest-running broadcast, debuted on WSM radio…

Tee Gentry

Published Nov 28, 2022 10:24 AM EST

Tee Gentry/BMG

The home of country music, the Grand Ole Opry is celebrating a birthday. It's country music's big birthday today! The Grand Ole Opry, the world's longest-running broadcast, debuted on WSM radio in Nashville on this day in history, Nov. 28, 1925.

"The showcase was originally named the Barn Dance, after a Chicago radio program called the National Barn Dance that had begun broadcasting the previous year," according to History.com.

The Barn Dance was renamed the Grand Ole Opry two years later, courtesy of an unscripted moment of on-air inspiration by host George D. Hay on Dec. 10, 1927.

"Following an NBC broadcast of Walter Damrosch's Music Appreciation Hour [a classical music program], Hay proclaimed on-air, ‘For the past hour we have been listening to the music taken largely from the Grand Opera, but from now on we will present the grand ole opry,'" writes the Opry website in its history of the moment that reshaped the future of American music.

I've seen Merle Haggard and many other country stars at the Ryman, which was home of the Grand Ole Opry until 1974, when the new Opry house was built at Opryland theme park in Nashville.

One of my favorite memories at the Opry was when I took my mom to see a show. Her favorite, Bill Anderson was there and we had a blast.

It's Country Music's Big Birthday Today! Happy Birthday, Grand Ole Opry! Here's to 97 more years! Here are some of the best memories of the Opry over the years.

Martina McBride

Tribute to Loretta Lynn

Throwin' It Way Back With Willie Nelson

Dolly 1969!

An Emotional Luke Combs Invited To Be A Member

Harlem Georgia's Own Ray Fulcher Debut At The Opry

Garth And Trisha Perform At The Opry

Carrie Underwood Performing Randy Travis Song "I Told You So" And Randy Asks Her To Become A Member

Cody Johnson At The Opry

Craig Morgan And Jelly Roll On Stage At The Opry

Tee GentryEditor

Tee has worked with KICKS 99 for over 24 years as Operations Manager and Program Director and is on-air each afternoon 3p-7p. When he’s not working, you’ll find him traveling the back roads, taking pictures, and searching for the next dive diner. Favorite place to visit? That’s easy. Folly Beach, SC. He’s usually there at least a few times a year. He lives in North Augusta and on Saturdays in the fall, you’ll find him cooking out and watching his Clemson Tigers. Tee likes to write about travel, Augusta local dive bars and diners and destinations in the Carolinas, as well as new business.