New Book Celebrates 100 Years of the Grand Ole Opry: Music, Fans, and the Iconic Institution

In honor of the Grand Ole Opry turning 100 next year, a gorgeous new book is coming out to celebrate the milestone and the iconic Nashville country music institution. 100 Years of Grand Ole Opry: A Celebration of the Artists, the Fans, and the Home of Country Music will be published on April 15, 2025.

Dolly Parton, Johnny Cash, Carrie Underwood, and Lainey Wilson are counted among the ranks of the Grand Ole Opry, among many, many other artists. To be invited into the inner sanctum of country music is an honor, a privilege, and a responsibility that the artists don’t take lightly. Officially, the Opry turns 100 on November 28, 2025, but the book is coming early to kick off the celebrations.

A synopsis for the new book reads, “Since 1925, the Grand Ole Opry has left an undeniable mark on American culture. What began as an impromptu performance of old-time fiddle tunes has transformed into the longest-running radio broadcast in U.S. history, as well as a live performance for millions of country music fans each year.”

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Read an Excerpt from the New Book Honoring the Grand Ole Opry’s Legacy

An excerpt from the book has also been released, per a report from People, where fans can read the entire sneak peek. The book dives into the history of the Opry and the artists who started it all. It travels through 100 years of performances, iconic moments, and the history of the Grand Ole Opry House itself, how the venue came to be. There’s an emphasis on the music and artists, as well as the fans of the Opry, and how the well-known country music institution became what it is today.

“Receiving an invitation to join the Grand Ole Opry is almost like a marriage proposal,” the book reads. “First, there are the courtship rituals: Getting together on Saturday nights, meeting the family, talking about the future. If all goes well, the Opry might pop the question at any moment.”

The excerpt continues, “There isn’t a checklist or a formula to qualify for Opry membership. Instead, when trying to assess who makes a good member, a small number of people in Opry management consider an artist’s overall talent and potential, their commitment to the show, rapport with other members and the response from the Opry audience.”

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