Opry Pays Tribute To Don Williams At Special ‘Opry 100 Honors’ Show

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Keith Urban joined by Don Williams’ former band members John Gardner, Dave Pomeroy, Mike Noble, and Chris Nole. Photo: Grand Ole Opry, photos by Chris Hollo

The Grand Ole Opry celebrated the career of the legendary Don Williams earlier this week at its special sold-out “Opry 100 Honors Don Williams” show.

The tribute show featured performances by Opry members Keith Urban, Trisha Yearwood, The Isaacs and Jamey Johnson, as well as Brandy Clark, Rodney Crowell and John Foster. Williams became an Opry member 50 years ago. Urban’s band onstage included Williams’ former band members John Gardner, Dave Pomeroy, Mike Noble and Chris Nole on his performances of “Some Broken Hearts Never Mend,” “Love Me Over Again,” and “I Can’t Get To You From Here.”

Post-show event, Garth Fundis joined Urban and Yearwood for a panel discussion in Studio A hosted by Dan Rogers. Photo: Grand Ole Opry, photos by Chris Hollo

Post-show, Fundis joined Urban and Yearwood for a special panel discussion in Studio A hosted by Dan Rogers, Opry Senior Vice President, Executive Producer. Speaking to an at-capacity audience, they fondly traded personal stories about Williams and shared how his legacy continues to live on.

A portion of the show’s ticket sales will benefit the Opry Trust Fund, which has supported country music professionals in times of need for over 60 years. The fund provides financial assistance for medical bills, emergencies and other hardships faced by those in the industry.

A collection of previously unheard recordings were discovered in the cellar of the Williams family’s rural Tennessee home and released last month as a new album, Epilogue: The Cellar Tapes, via Craft Recordings. Produced by Williams’ longtime co-producer Garth Fundis, and executive produced by Williams’ son, Tim Williams, the recordings date from 1979-1984, a defining period in Williams’ career that produced enduring classics including “Good Ole Boys Like Me,” “It Must Be Love,” “I Believe In You,” “Lord, I Hope This Day Is Good,” and “Tulsa Time.”

The Isaacs. Photo: Grand Ole Opry, photos by Chris Hollo

Rodney Crowell. Photo: Grand Ole Opry, photos by Chris Hollo

Lorie Hollabaugh
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