Grand Ole Opry Coming to XM Radio
September 27, 2007 — XM will be the new satellite radio home of the Grand Ole Opry beginning with the Opry's 82nd Birthday Bash broadcast featuring Carrie Underwood, Travis Tritt and Ronnie Milsap on October 20.
XM will feature the live Friday and Saturday night performances, as well as the Tuesday Night Opry. Additionally, XM will offer classic broadcasts of the show, archival performances, and "The Eddie Stubbs Show," hosted by regular Opry announcer Eddie Stubbs.
"We are pleased that XM listeners will now be able to experience the Opry's brand of entertainment every week," said Steve Buchanan, Gaylord Entertainment senior vice president. "Airing on XM provides Opry fans throughout the country a new way to tune in to the show and presents the Opry to an audience that may have not yet discovered this uniquely American experience."
"This is great news," said Martina McBride, an Opry member since 1995. "It's a better day for all of us when the Grand Ole Opry and all it embodies can be heard across the country on satellite radio."
The country hits channel "Nashville" (XM 11) will feature live Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday night performances (Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET, Fridays at 9 p.m. ET, Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. ET). Encore broadcasts of new Opry episodes will air on XM's classic country music channel America (XM 10) at 10 a.m. ET every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, along with archival Opry broadcasts. Many individual performances recorded live on the Opry stage will also be featured on XM's other country music channels. "The Eddie Stubbs Show" will premiere later this fall on XM 10.
The arrival of the Grand Ole Opry to XM coincides with XM's Country Music Month celebration, featuring XM's month-long showcase of country music programming throughout October. Highlights include original music specials featuring Carrie Underwood, Faith Hill, Brooks & Dunn, Jack Ingram, Kris Kristofferson and Bill Anderson, among others, and exclusive programming, including broadcast of the Big State Festival from the Texas World Speedway. Complete details on XM's Country Music Month programming are available online at xmradio.com/countrymusicmonth.
Joan