Ketch Secor Receives Treasured Acuff Fiddle From Woody Paul During Opry Birthday Celebration

Roy Acuff protégé Woody Paul Chrisman of Opry group Riders In The Sky presented Old Crow Medicine Show’s Ketch Secor with a treasured fiddle Acuff had given to Chrisman when Chrisman was 16 years old. Photo courtesy Grand Ole Opry LLC. Chris Hollo, photographer

The Grand Ole Opry celebrated its 93^rd birthday this weekend with two sold-out, two-show nights at the Grand Ole Opry House. In a special Opry moment on Saturday night’s show, Roy Acuff protégé Woody Paul Chrisman of Opry group Riders In The Sky presented Old Crow Medicine Show’s Ketch Secor with a treasured fiddle Acuff had given to Chrisman when Chrisman was 16 years old. The Riders In The Sky member shared his immense respect for Secor’s musicianship and trust in him to carry on Opry traditions for years to come. “If Roy Acuff was here tonight, he’d do what I’m about to do,” Chrisman said, handing Secor the prized instrument.

Morgan Evans also celebrated the release of his debut album Things That We Drink To with Opry performances on Tuesday and Friday night, as well as exclusive backstage performances for fans who purchased the album in the newly-revamped Opry Shop. Evans shared some of the newly-released music and stories behind the songs in a Facebook Live from the Opry stage prior to Friday’s Opry performances.

In an event-filled week celebrating the show’s nine-decade-plus history with shows featuring new stars, superstars, and legends, the show also cut the ribbon on a $12 million Opry House expansion.

Photo courtesy Grand Ole Opry LLC. Chris Hollo, photographer

Ketch Secor and Woody Paul Chrisman  Photo courtesy Grand Ole Opry LLC. Chris Hollo, photographer

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Lorie Hollabaugh

Hollabaugh, a staff writer at MusicRow magazine, has over 20 years of music business experience and has written for publications including American Profile, CMA Close Up, Nashville Arts And Entertainment, The Boot and Country Weekly. She has a Broadcast Journalism and Speech Communication degree from Texas Christian University, (go Horned Frogs), and welcomes your feedback or story ideas at lhollabaugh@musicrow.com.

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