The CMA Music Festival doesn’t officially begin until June 6, but there’s always plenty of events leading up to the start. Many fans plan to come into town early and make an entire week of it.
One of the events that fans seem to anticipate every year in the Tuesday night performance of the Grand Ole Opry. Carrie Underwood usually performs at the show, and it was announced yesterday that she would perform this year as well. Chris Janson and Travis Tritt were also announced as performers. There will be more announcements in the weeks leading up to the June 4 performance.
A message was also sent out yesterday by Underwood’s fan club telling them they need to enter to attend Underwood’s fan club party by April 19. The fan club party will be held at the Grand Ole Opry House on June 4, but no specific time of day has been given. Fan club members who enter will be notified if they are selected to attend.
As has been done in past years, there will be free plaza party at the Grand Ole Opry plaza. Opry Plaza Party will be held prior to the evening’s Opry performance. Last year, Ashley McBryde was one of the performers at the free event.
There will also be Grand Ole Opry performances during the week of CMA Music Festival on June 6, June 7 and June 8. There will also be a matinee performance of Opry Country Classics on June 8. The show, which will be held at Ryman Auditorium, will feature Larry Gatlin & the Gatlin Brothers and Charley Pride. More artists will be announced at a later date.
Tickets are available at 800-SEE-OPRY and opry.com.
Rick Amburgey is an experienced journalist and country music fan. He can be contacted on Twitter at @ViewsCountry.