Grand Ole Opry Celebrates Special Show As Part Of Carnegie Hall’s ‘United In Sound: America At 250 Festival’

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The War and Treaty, Rhonda Vincent, Scotty McCreery, Kelsea Ballerini, Henry Cho and Wyatt Flores perform “Will The Circle Be Unbroken.” Photo: Fadi Khelr

The Grand Ole Opry held a special show at Carnegie Hall on Friday night as part of Carnegie Hall’s “United in Sound: America at 250” festival, which celebrates the nation’s 250th anniversary and continues the Opry’s 100th year.

“An Evening with the Grand Ole Opry” featured performances by Opry members Kelsea Ballerini, Scotty McCreery, Rhonda Vincent and Henry Cho, along with special guests Wyatt Flores and The War and Treaty. The artists’ individual sets were bookended by a show opener featuring Vincent and McCreery taking turns on the classic “Blue Moon Of Kentucky” in the styles of Bill Monroe (Vincent) and Elvis Presley (McCreery) as well as an all-cast closing performance of the Opry’s unofficial theme “Will The Circle Be Unbroken.” 

The show marked the Opry’s fourth headlining performance at Carnegie Hall. The Opry debuted there in 1947 under the billing “Ernest Tubb and the Grand Ole Opry Stars,” with a sold-out concert also featuring Roy Acuff, Bill Monroe and the Blue Grass Boys, Minnie Pearl, Red Foley, Eddy Arnold, and The Carter Sisters with Mother Maybelle Carter. A return performance in 1961 benefited the Musicians’ Aid Society and was headlined by Patsy Cline in her first and only Carnegie Hall appearance, among other all-stars. The Grand Ole Opry’s 2005 show – marking its 80th anniversary – featured Trace Adkins, Vince Gill, Alison Krauss, Alan Jackson, Martina McBride, Brad Paisley, Ricky Skaggs, Trisha Yearwood, along with longtime Opry members Charley Pride, Little Jimmy Dickens, and Bill Anderson.

Throughout 2026, the Opry will continue to honor the past, showcase the present, and shape the future of country music through one-of-a-kind live shows including special themed shows observing the nation’s 250th birthday on April 23, May 28 and July 4.

Lorie Hollabaugh
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