The Grand Ole Opry is set to release BACKSTAGE at the Grand Ole Opry, a new book treating fans to an all-access, behind the scenes look at country music’s most famous show, on March 15. The release coincides with the Opry’s 40th Anniversary celebration of its permanent home, the Grand Ole Opry House. Throughout the book, some of country music’s most popular stars share their stories from backstage, colorfully illustrated by more than 250 exclusive photos. The book is co-authored by Brenda Colladay and Dan Rogers, who together have over thirty years of experience working behind the scenes at the Opry. Photos include dozens contributed by long-time Opry photographer Chris Hollo as well as vintage shots mined from the show’s large archive.
As Opry member Garth Brooks says in the book’s pages: “No offense at all to the people sitting in the seats, but the real show is backstage. That’s the Opry.” The story of Brooks’ nerve-rattling first night at the Opry is shared in the book as well as tales of Carrie Underwood’s improbable first encounter with the legendary Loretta Lynn and Vince Gill’s treasured time spent backstage with Opry patriarch Roy Acuff.
Opry member Dierks Bentley can be seen on the book’s cover standing backstage in the moments before a performance. “This book tells the story of one of my favorite places—backstage at the Opry—like never before,” Bentley said. “The Opry and its fans deserve this.”
BACKSTAGE at the Grand Ole Opry celebrates each of the one-of-a-kind dressing rooms found backstage at the Grand Ole Opry House and includes the history behind portraits of Opry stars who embody the spirit of each room. Among the portraits featured: Trace Adkins, Charlie Daniels, Jimmy Dickens, and Rascal Flatts.
Additional exclusives include on-stage performance shots and candid backstage photos featuring Bill Anderson, Luke Bryan, Brad Paisley, Keith Urban and dozens of others stars. Notables from the world of media and entertainment are featured celebrating their own “Opry Moments,” including Anderson Cooper, Kevin Costner, Lester Holt, Paul McCartney, Charles Osgood, Robin Roberts, and Bob Schieffer.
BACKSTAGE at the Grand Ole Opry will be available at opry.com as well as all Opry Nashville retail locations.
The authors are scheduled to sign copies of the book in The Opry Shop at the Grand Ole Opry House at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, March 15 and 2 p.m. Sunday, March 16. The weekend marks the 40th Anniversary of the Opry House and is scheduled to include star-packed Opry performances and special events.
Nashville visitors can get their own personal look backstage during Opry House Backstage Tours, January – October. Three tour opportunities are available: a daytime tour featuring Opry member Blake Shelton as video host, a VIP Behind The Opry Curtain Tour, and a Post-Show Tour featuring 2012 Opry inductee and Capitol recording artist Darius Rucker. Tickets and information are available at opry.com, 800-SEE-OPRY, and at the Opry House Box Office.
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