It is not too often that the venerable Grand Ole Opry cancels events. But it is also not too often that a massive winter storm barrels across multiple states, leaving snow, ice, frigid temperatures, and upended plans behind. Because of just such an impending storm, the Grand Ole Opry announced that it has canceled shows and tours slated for Saturday, January 24 and Sunday, January 25.
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The Opry Will Present a Show on Saturday on the Radio
A message on the Opry's Facebook page states, "Due to anticipated inclement weather, the Grand Ole Opry show on Saturday, January 24th has been canceled, as well as Opry House tours on January 24th and 25th. The safety of our fans, our artists, and our staff is our top priority, and we truly appreciate your understanding."
Saturday's show is going to be "a radio-only program" with no audience. Refunds are available for the canceled tours and shows.
The statement adds, "The John Crist show at the Opry House on Sunday, January 25th has been rescheduled to March 8th. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and hope to welcome you back to a show soon. In the meantime, please stay safe and warm!"
An Opry Exec Added His Thoughts
This is surely an unusual situation for the Opry and its legions of fans. It hints at the gravity of the weather conditions that are expected. One top administrator with the legendary country music organization, Executive Producer Dan Rogers, offered some thoughts. He addressed the topic of the upcoming Opry radio broadcast.
It can be heard starting at 7 p.m. CT on Saturday, January 24 "on WSM Radio and the Opry and WSM websites," per Country Now. One hour later, listeners can enjoy it on Willie's Roadhouse on SiriusXM.
Rogers said in a statement per the outlet, "History is made with every Opry broadcast, and Saturday night's show will be no exception. I'd be lying if I said we knew exactly what was going to happen throughout the show tomorrow night, but with so many fans and friends in [Winter Storm] Fern's path, we invite everyone to stay home and safe, to put another log on the fire, and to tune in with us and weather the storm together accompanied by great country music."
Cancellations Hardly Ever Happen at the Opry
Per the outlet, Opry cancellations seldom happen. When they do, it's only for the most serious reasons. For example, the Opry began on the radio decades ago. When President Franklin Roosevelt died in 1945, the Opry's Saturday evening radio show "briefly went silent."
Years later, in 1968 after the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a curfew was imposed in Nashville. The Opry show scheduled for that night was called off.
