Warner Chappell & Madfun Entertainment Hold ‘Opry Loves The ’90s’ Writers Retreat

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Pictured (L-R, front row): Ray Fulcher, Wade Bowen, Rhett Akins, Priscilla Block, Liz Rose, Summer Overstreet, Heather Morgan, Dustin Lynch, Madfun Entertainment’s Alicia Pruitt; (L-R, back row): Warner Chappell’s Ryan Beuschel, Brock Berryhill, Thomas Archer, David Lee Murphy, Tony Lane, Jamey Johnson. Photo: Courtesy of the Grand Ole Opry

In the midst of its celebration of ‘90s country, the Grand Ole Opry hosted Warner Chappell Music Nashville and Madfun Entertainment’s three-day “Opry Loves The 90s” writers retreat this week.

The publishing houses invited some of their rising songwriters to write with award-winning writers including Jessi Alexander (“The Climb,” “I Drive Your Truck”), Liz Rose (“Girl Crush,” “You Belong With Me”) and Randy Montana (“Better Together,” “Beer Never Broke My Heart”), as well as some of the renowned writers who penned some of the biggest songs from one of the most celebrated decades in country music, such as Rhett Akins (“That Ain’t My Truck”), Tony Lane (“Run,” “Letters From Home”) and David Lee Murphy (“Dust on the Bottle,” “Party Crowd”).

After arriving at the Opry House each morning, the writers watched a film about the history of the Grand Ole Opry in the Circle Room before breaking up into four different groups. The groups spent the day backstage in the different themed dressing rooms at the Opry with the goal of writing ‘90s style songs.

“That decade did the best job of putting you somewhere else for three minutes. They had the best stories. Every generation has their story songs, but primarily in the ‘90s, that was the best 10-year run at doing it,” shared Thomas Archer with MusicRow at day one of the camp.

In May, the Opry launched a limited-time “Opry Loves the ’90s” experience at the Grand Ole Opry House with a new interactive tour exhibition, special in-show Opry programming, ‘90s-themed Opry Plaza Parties and surprise artist collaborations celebrating ’90s country music. The exhibit showcases the artists, songs and songwriters that defined the decade with displays including iconic stage wear and artifacts representing career milestone moments, and performances from Opry members Clint Black, Garth Brooks, Terri Clark, Alan Jackson, Martina McBride, Reba McEntire, Lorrie Morgan, Marty Stuart, Travis Tritt, Trisha Yearwood and more.

The Opry’s ’90s experience runs through the end of 2022 and continues across other Opry Entertainment Group properties including WSM Radio, Circle Network and Opry.com, as well as across the Opry’s social channels.

LB Cantrell
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