A big change was just unveiled at the Grand Ole Opry, with help from Marty Stuart.
Stuart was on hand at the Opry House on Aug. 12 as they continue their 100th anniversary celebration — this night was a special event honoring Porter Wagoner.
This year, the Opry is highlighting icons who helped shape the hallowed venue’s first century.
Who Was Porter Wagoner?
Wagoner was a force in country music, with a musical career that spanned more than 56 years. He was always wearing flashy, wearing rhinestone suits, and he was a large proponent for honky-tonk music.
He’d later go on to host The Porter Wagoner Show from 1960 to 1981 — a show which played a big part in launching the career of Dolly Parton.
No big deal, right?
This week, Stuart spoke about how he has emulated Wagoner throughout his own career, so to be able to honor him in this way meant so much to him.
Stuart then unveiled only the seventh microphone stand in the 100 year history of the Grand Ole Opry, and it’s its own tribute to Wagoner, who died in 2007.
Grand Ole Opry Marty Stuart
Stuart had the microphone made to mirror the specific performance outfit that Wagoner was wearing on the night that he was inducted into the Opry on November 28, 1992.
But the microphone stand isn’t just an ode to Wagoner, it was commissioned to celebrate Stuart as a contributor to 100 historic years of the Opry, as well.
It won’t be a one-and-done: The bedazzled mic stand will be brought back out periodically through the remainder of the Opry’s 100th anniversary celebration.
The fact that in 100 years, there have only been six other microphone stands used at the Grand Ole Opry is something special.
Most recently, Vince Gill and Carrie Underwood unveiled two new microphone stands to add to the collection.
Upcoming Key Dates for the Opry’s 100th Anniversary:
Opry 100 Honors Bill Monroe, which will happen on September 16 featuring performances by Ricky Skaggs, Del McCoury Band, Carly Pearce and more.
Opry 100 Honors Minnie Pearl and Roy Acuff on October 18, with performances by Vince Gill, Bill Anderson and more.
When Does the Opry’s 100th Anniversary End?
As much as we would like for the Grand Ole Opry’s 100th anniversary to go on forever, the end date is near: November 28 is the actual 100th anniversary of the iconic venue.
Who Was the First Artist to Perform at the Grand Ole Opry?
Heading straight to the source on this one, the Grand Ole Opry website says that the first performer was Uncle Jimmy Thompson, a 77-year-old fiddler.
PICTURES: See the Highlights From Jeannie Seely’s Funeral at the Grand Ole Opry
Jeannie Seely was laid to rest at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville on Aug. 14, and the Nashville country community turned out in full force to give her an appropriate sendoff.
Gallery Credit: Sterling Whitaker
31 Country Stars You Won’t Believe Aren’t Grand Ole Opry Members
That answer is often difficult to determine, but this list of stars you won’t believe aren’t members suggests reasons where appropriate.
Gallery Credit: Billy Dukes
