Footage from event is available here: https://vimeopro.com/user62979372/media-downloads-opry-nextstage/video/310270195
Opry Entertainment’s Opry NextStage, a yearlong collaboration with four rising country artists: Riley Green, Tegan Marie, Tenille Townes and Travis Denning, launched last night with a kick-off party and sold-out concert at Ole Red Nashville.
“This is an exciting night and we are thrilled to welcome these four rising stars in country music,” said Sally Williams, General Manager, Grand Ole Opry / Sr. Vice President, Programming & Artist Relations, Opry Entertainment. “The Opry is 93 years old and it is all of our responsibility to make sure it is still amazing for the next 93 years. You all are going to be part of that!”
Before the concert, each of the artists reflected on what the Opry means to them and shared their excitement about the year ahead.
Riley said, “I’m honored to have the Opry team put their hands around my career. Some of my all-time favorite country music memories are watching past Opry moments and performances and now I get to be a part of that.”
“I learn something new every time I perform there and love doing things the audience doesn’t expect,” said Tegan. “I can’t wait to see what’s ahead.”
“It means so much to have the Opry family support me,” remarked Tenille. “I came to Nashville as a tourist and fan many years ago before my career began and we visited the Opry. I sat with my family in the Opry pews and I dreamed of getting to do this someday.”
Travis said, “I look forward to creating moments each and every time I play the Opry. I want to learn all the stories and soak up the Opry history.”
This inaugural class of Opry NextStage artists represents four diverse performers who are making incredible music at the forefront of their careers. Throughout the year, Opry Entertainment will work closely with the artist teams to amplify their initiatives using assets from across the company’s brands, venues and channels.
Opportunities for Opry NextStage artists include but are not limited to:
- Performances on the Grand Ole Opry at the Grand Ole Opry House and Ryman Auditorium
- Performances at Ole Red locations in Nashville and Gatlinburg, TN
- Short form documentary video series produced by Opry Entertainment’s award-winning content team
- Customized digital activations utilizing Opry web and social assets including Opry.com, OleRed.com, WSMOnline.com as well as Opry Entertainment’s millions of combined social followers
- Other opportunities include outdoor advertising, special event performances, 650 WSM-AM /wsmradio.com podcasts and radio specials
For more information about Opry NextStage and its first class, visit opry.com/nextstage.
About the Grand Ole Opry:
The Grand Ole Opry® is presented by Humana®. Opry performances are held every Friday and Saturday of the year, with Tuesday night shows through December and season Opry Country Classics shows on Thursdays. To plan an Opry visit, call (800) SEE-OPRY or visit opry.com.. The Opry presents the best in country music live every week from Nashville, Tenn. Celebrating nine decades of entertainment, the Opry can be heard at opry.com. and wsmradio.com, Opry and WSM mobile apps, SiriusXM Satellite Radio, and its flagship home, 650 AM-WSM. The Grand Ole Opry is owned by Ryman Hospitality Properties (NYSE: RHP). For more information, visit opry.com.
About Opry Entertainment:
Opry Entertainment®, a division of Ryman Hospitality Properties (NYSE: RHP), is a producer of multi-media entertainment experiences with primary interests in location-based entertainment and television and stage production. Based in Nashville, Tennessee, its core business segments include the world-famous Grand Ole Opry®, the historic Ryman Auditorium®, Ole Red and legendary radio station 650 AM-WSM.
About Opry NextStage:
For over nine decades, the Grand Ole Opry has created opportunities for artists throughout the country music spectrum to make strong connections with fans and fellow artists – on its stages and across its channels – from terrestrial radio to network television to the digital universe. Audiences throughout the world look to the Opry to showcase the very best of country music’s new stars, superstars and legends. Opry NextStage presents four diverse artists making incredible music at the forefront of their careers. Through the Opry’s marketing platforms, Opry Entertainment will partner with Opry NextStage artists to tell their stories and expand their audiences. Opry Entertainment is owned by Ryman Hospitality Properties, Inc. (NYSE: RHP), a Nashville-based REIT that owns and operates the Grand Ole Opry, Ole Red, Ryman Auditorium and 650 AM WSM.
About Ole Red:
Ole Red is a lifestyle and entertainment brand inspired by Blake Shelton’s clever, irreverent third-chart hit, “Ol’ Red.” You can currently find Ole Red entertainment venues and products in two locations in the United States, the flagship multi-story bar, restaurant and entertainment venue in the heart of downtown Nashville’s famed Lower Broadway, the very first location in Blake’s hometown of Tishomingo, Oklahoma. The Company has announced additional locations in Gatlinburg, Tennessee (2019) and Orlando, Florida (2020). Ole Red is owned and operated by Ryman Hospitality Properties, Inc. as part of its Opry Entertainment division. For additional information about Ole Red, visit us online at olered.com.
For more information about the Grand Ole Opry, contact:
Jessie Schmidt (615)-491-7988, jessie@schmidtpr.com
Dixie Owen (615)-440-6171, dixie@schmidtpr.com
For more information about the Grand Ole Opry, contact:
Lisaann Dupont (615)-319-3638, ldupont@ryman.com
Photos courtesy Grand Ole Opry LLC. Chris Hollo, photographer
Images are provided gratis for journalistic use for one year from date of release in conjunction with coverage pertaining to the event of the photo. All other uses require express written permission from Grand Ole Opry, LLC.
