Luke Combs, Ashley McBryde, Carly Pearce, Darius Rucker, Marty Stuart and more to appear on 26th September 2025
 
BBC Radio 2 Presenter Vernon Kay and WSM Radio Personality and Grand Ole Opry Announcer Kelly Sutton Set to Host Landmark Broadcast 

Tickets for “Grand Ole Opry: Live in London” on Sale Friday, 23rd May

Today, the Grand Ole Opry, the longest-running radio program in U.S. history and legendary home of country music, announces a star-studded lineup including Opry members Luke Combs, Ashley McBryde, Carly Pearce, Darius Rucker and Marty Stuart will headline its first-ever live international broadcast from London’s iconic Royal Albert Hall on Friday, 26th September 2025. Tickets to the show will go on sale on Friday, 23rd May at 10:00 a.m. BST / 4:00 a.m. CDT on royalalberthall.com.

In addition to beloved Opry members, this show will feature a lineup of special UK guest artists to be announced later this year. The all-star cast will showcase the rich and diverse musical styles found within the country music genre, bringing the spirit of Nashville to one of the world’s most prestigious stages. During the show, fans can expect to hear a mix of contemporary and classic country music hits, a full range of country music styles and exclusive collaborations between Opry members and their guests. Like the Opry’s regular shows in Nashville, artists appearing on this show will each perform 2 – 4 songs.

Of the historic moment, Grand Ole Opry member and multi-time Diamond-certified superstar Darius Rucker said, “Being a member of the Grand Ole Opry is a great honor; it’s always felt like the Opry was my home away from home. To have the opportunity to bring such a big part of my musical roots to Royal Albert Hall is a full-circle moment for me while I work on a project with so many talented songwriters and producers based in London. I can’t think of a better way to honor the Opry’s global impact on country music as we share its magic with a new generation of fans.”

Colin Reed, Executive Chairman of Grand Ole Opry parent company Ryman Hospitality Properties, added, “This milestone year for the Grand Ole Opry has arrived at the perfect time as country music enjoys an unprecedented rise in global popularity, especially here in the United Kingdom. Our first-ever broadcast outside of the United States will celebrate the influential music that has shaped this genre and pay tribute to the unique Opry show format that has entertained music lovers for 100 years. With the help of some of our most treasured Opry members and some very special guests, we hope to give fans a taste of what goes on every week back in Nashville and inspire them to come visit the epicenter of country music.”

BBC Radio 2 presenter Vernon Kay and WSM Radio host Kelly Sutton will be co-hosts for “Grand Ole Opry: Live in London.” The pair will honour the show’s radio roots by creating a lively atmosphere at the Royal Albert Hall and over the airwaves for listeners worldwide. Sutton, the first woman to hold a regular Opry host role, is also the host of Absolute Radio Country’s The Nashville Show. 

Tickets are expected to sell quickly as fans seize the opportunity to experience this cultural moment. Fans unable to experience the show in person can listen to a live broadcast on WSM radio and Opry.com. UK-based fans can also hear a full broadcast replay on BBC Radio 2 at a later date.

Since its debut on WSM Radio in 1925, the Opry has introduced country music to people worldwide and helped shape the careers of artists such as Roy Acuff, Minnie Pearl, Dolly Parton, George Jones, Loretta Lynn and Charley Pride, in addition to some of today’s top country music stars, including those appearing at “Grand Ole Opry: Live in London.” Becoming a member of the Grand Ole Opry is one of the highest honours in country music, symbolising not just career success, but also a deep commitment to honouring the Opry’s past, present and future by building relationships with new fans, supporting rising talent and celebrating the legends who paved the way. 

Dan Rogers, SVP and Executive Producer of the Grand Ole Opry, stated, “The magical thing about the Opry is how many lives it’s touched over the past 100 years. No matter where you live, when you listen to country music all roads eventually lead to the Grand Ole Opry and its members both past and present. This show, like the others we are fortunate to program during this special year, will be a celebration of all that has come before it, a moment to embrace something that’s never happened before and preview of what lies ahead.”

“Grand Ole Opry: Live in London” is produced by Dan Rogers in partnership with SteadiBeat Media’s Steve Buchanan, with special thanks to SJM Concerts and Bob Shennan.  


Leading up to the show, fans in the UK can catch up on the latest Grand Ole Opry performances as Opry Live begins airing on Sky Arts starting Friday, 30th May. The show will air weekly for 26 weeks, giving viewers a chance to experience the heart of Nashville before the Opry’s historic night at Royal Albert Hall.

“Grand Ole Opry: Live in London” is part of a series of events, limited-edition releases, special performances, exhibits, book publications and merchandise celebrating this historic year. For the latest updates on Opry 100, visit Opry100.com and follow the Opry on Facebook, X, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube.

About the Grand Ole Opry:

The Grand Ole Opry is the home of country music where artists and fans gather, in person and virtually, to celebrate and be part of country’s past, present and future. Founded in Nashville in 1925 and today the longest-running live broadcast show in the world, the Opry strengthens its roots by constantly evolving. The Opry’s members are country’s most emblematic artists, and the show regularly showcases country music’s top new talent. The Opry welcomes legions of fans to visit the Opry House in Nashville, Tennessee – Music City, USA – to experience one of the 3-7 live shows it hosts per week; take a backstage tour; listen to live broadcasts on opry.com and wsmonline.com, SiriusXM Willie’s Roadhouse, or its flagship home WSM Radio; and watch Opry Live on Saturday nights and Opry content all week long on Circle Country. The Grand Ole Opry is part of Opry Entertainment Group.

About Opry Entertainment Group: 

Rooted in the unparalleled country music history of the Grand Ole Opry, Opry Entertainment Group produces multi-platform entertainment experiences through its growing portfolio of entertainment venues. This includes the world-famous Grand Ole Opry, the iconic Ryman Auditorium, ACL Live at the Moody Theater, Blake Shelton-inspired Ole Red brand and Category 10, the Luke Combs-inspired entertainment experience. Through concerts, tours, music-inspired restaurants, digital content, and its WSM Radio and Circle Country platforms, Opry Entertainment Group connects millions of music fans to the artists they love through experiences they’ll never forget. Opry Entertainment Group is a subsidiary of Ryman Hospitality Properties, Inc. (NYSE: RHP) and part of a strategic investment with Atairos and NBCUniversal.   

About the Royal Albert Hall:

The Royal Albert Hall is the world’s most famous stage. Throughout its 153-year history, it has welcomed a who’s who of world-renowned figures: artists, athletes and activists. No other place on earth has played host to Winston Churchill, Albert Einstein and Muhammad Ali; Ella Fitzgerald, The Beatles and Adele. This was the Suffragettes’ “temple of liberty” – the site of Votes for Women rallies that helped change the course of British history – the home of the Stonewall concerts, and a place of celebration during Nelson Mandela’s state visit. But its eccentric history has also seen it used for a séance, an indoor marathon and the world’s first bodybuilding contest (judged by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle).

About Luke Combs:

Country superstar and 2x CMA Entertainer of the Year Luke Combs is a multi-platinum, award-winning artist from Asheville, NC. In the midst of yet another triumphant year, Combs was recently inducted into the Music City Walk of Fame, became the first country artist to have two songs reach a billion streams on Spotify and the first with three singles certified RIAA Diamond. Furthermore, Combs’ Grammy-nominated single, “Ain’t No Love in Oklahoma,” reached #1 at country radio, leading Combs to spend 53 cumulative weeks atop the Billboard Country Airplay chart throughout his career. These achievements follow Combs’ latest album, Fathers & Sons, which reflects on his own experiences as a dad and the unique bond between parents and their children. Released to critical acclaim, NPR Music praises, “he’s going beyond the country realm now and really has become a pop star, a global popstar,” while The Wall Street Journal declares, “filled with unexpected warmth and vulnerability…a perfect match for Mr. Combs’s warm and engaging style.”

A Grand Ole Opry member and 11x CMA, 4x ACM, 6x Billboard Music Award-winner, Combs is also featured on Post Malone’s recent album, F-1 Trillion, is the subject of a major exhibit at the Country Music Hall of Fame and partnered with Opry Entertainment Group to open Category 10—a multi-level entertainment complex in downtown Nashville. Known for his electric live shows, Combs will perform select dates this year including headline slots at major festivals such as Bonnaroo, Lollapalooza, Austin City Limits and Boston Calling. Combs also performed an unforgettable duet of “Fast Car” with Tracy Chapman at last year’s Grammy Awards and joined forces with Eric Church, Billy Strings and James Taylor to headline “Concert for Carolina,” a special benefit show at Charlotte’s Bank of America Stadium, which raised over $24.5 million for Hurricane Helene relief efforts.

About Ashley McBryde:

GRAMMY, CMA and ACM award winner Ashley McBryde cut her teeth playing country songs in biker bars – and it shows. The Grand Ole Opry member’s 2018 major label debut Girl Going Nowhere (Warner Music Nashville) charmed The New York Times, NPR, Rolling Stone, Paste, The Washington Post and more, all en route to landing a GRAMMY nomination for Best Country Album. McBryde closed out 2019 with ACM New Female Artist, CMT Breakout Artist, a New Artist of the Year win at the 53rd Annual CMA Awards and two nominations for the 2020 GRAMMYs for Best Country Song and Best Country Solo Performance for “Girl Goin’ Nowhere.” Follow-up Never Will was tagged by Rolling Stone as one of the most anticipated of the year alongside NPR, who also ranked her Top 10 RIAA Platinum-Certified single “One Night Standards” as one of the best songs of 2019. The album earned McBryde a 2021 GRAMMY nomination for Best Country Album, making Never Will the only album nominated for Country Album of the Year by the ACMs, CMAs and the Recording Academy in the same award season. Her GRAMMY-winning duet with Carly Pearce, “Never Wanted To Be That Girl,” went all the way to No. 1 and earned McBryde and Pearce the ACM and CMA award for Musical Event of the Year. McBryde was honored with the 2022 CMA International Artist Achievement Award for the most significant creative growth, development and promotion of the country music industry outside of the United States. Her collaborative project Ashley McBryde Presents: Lindeville earned McBryde her third consecutive GRAMMY nomination for Best Country Album, making her a six-time nominee. Her latest album The Devil I Know was released to critical acclaim, earning a title as one of the best country albums of the year from Rolling Stone, Billboard, Slate, PASTE, Holler and more. Hailed as “one of country’s most cherished singer-songwriters” by Cowboys & Indians, McBryde offers poetic nostalgia with “Ain’t Enough Cowboy Songs,” available now. The Arkansas native performs at festivals including CMA Fest; Country Thunder Florida, Wisconsin and Calgary; WE Fest; and Country Stampede among additional headlining dates. For more information, visit Ashley McBryde.com or follow her on Facebook, Instagram, X, TikTok and YouTube.

About Carly Pearce:

Fiercely rooted in the classics, the girl who left her Kentucky home and high school at 16 to take a job at Dollywood has grown into a woman who embraces the genre’s forward progression. GRAMMY® Award-winning singer-songwriter Carly Pearce lit a fire with her debut album Every Little Thing and the PLATINUM-certified history-making title track, and she hasn’t slowed down since. With the praised release of her highly anticipated fourth album, hummingbird (June 7, Big Machine Records), Pearce continues to resonate with her honest lyrics and timeless musicality. The critically acclaimed album includes PLATINUM-certified lead single “we don’t fight anymore” (featuring Chris Stapleton), which earned Pearce her second GRAMMY® nomination for Best Country Duo/Group Performance and fifth Top 5 Country Radio hit, as well as the blazing single “truck on fire” which Pearce debuted on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. On March 14, Pearce released hummingbird: no rain, no flowers, a deluxe edition of the album with 5 new tracks. Co-produced by Pearce, hummingbird: no rain, no flowers extends her hummingbird era of growth through authentic storytelling and traditional country musicality. Pearce recently wrapped her 40+ date headlining hummingbird world tour where she connected with fans across the globe, including a run of sold-out shows in the U.K. and Europe. Now a Kentucky Music Hall of Fame and Grand Ole Opry member who has performed on the famed stage more than 100 times, Pearce has come a long way from the pain she felt writing her critically acclaimed and commercially lauded third studio album 29 which includes Country Radio chart toppers “Never Wanted To Be That Girl” with Ashley McBryde and 2x PLATINUM-certified “What He Didn’t Do.” For the PLATINUM-certified “Never Wanted To Be That Girl,” Pearce picked up her second consecutive ACM Music Event of the Year in 2022 and marked the third duet between two solo women to top Billboard’s Country Airplay chart. The song also took home the 2022 CMA Musical Event of the Year and won a GRAMMY® Award for Best Country Duo/Group Performance, marking Pearce’s first and making history as the first female pairing to win in the category. In addition, Pearce’s 3x PLATINUM-certified “I Hope You’re Happy Now” with Lee Brice won both the 2020 CMA Awards Musical Event and 2021 ACM Awards Music Event, plus ACM Single of the Year. For tour dates and more, visit CarlyPearce.com.

About Darius Rucker:

Rucker first achieved multi-Platinum status in the music industry as lead singer and rhythm guitarist of the GRAMMY Award-winning band Hootie & the Blowfish, who have sold more than 25 million albums worldwide including their Double Diamond-certified (22x Platinum) debut Cracked Rear View, which remains among the top 10 best-selling studio albums of all time. Since releasing his first Country album in 2008, Rucker has earned a whole new legion of fans with four No. 1 albums on the Billboard Country chart plus 10 No. 1 singles at Country radio and 11 Gold, Platinum or multi-Platinum certified hits. Rucker was inducted as a Grand Ole Opry member in 2012 and he won his third career GRAMMY Award in 2014 for Best Solo Country Performance with his Diamond-certified (11x Platinum) version of “Wagon Wheel,” one of the top five best-selling Country songs of all time. His latest album Carolyn’s Boy (featuring recent single “Never Been Over” with Jennifer Nettles) is available everywhere now as is his New York Timesbestselling memoir “Life’s Too Short,” released via Dey Street in 2024.

As a lifelong philanthropist, Rucker co-chaired the capital campaign that generated $150 million to help build the new MUSC Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital in his hometown of Charleston, S.C. and has raised over $4.3 million for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital through his annual Darius & Friends benefit concert and golf tournament. In addition, Rucker has advocated for over 200 charitable causes supporting public education and junior golf programs in South Carolina through the Hootie & the Blowfish Foundation and serves as a National Chair for the National Museum of African American Music in Nashville, Tenn. Rucker is also an avid sports fan, with his Darius Rucker Collection by Fanatics line of NFL, MLB, NHL and NCAA apparel available via Fanatics.com, and he is part of the Music City Baseball investment group working to bring an MLB team to Tennessee in addition to serving as a partner at the MGC Sports & Entertainment agency.   For more information, visit www.dariusrucker.com and follow on social media @DariusRucker.

About Marty Stuart:

In a career spanning over 50 years, dozens of albums, and too many shows to count, Marty Stuart still charts a course through new territory at every chance possible. The five-time GRAMMY® Award winner, Congress of Country Music Founder, Country Music Hall of Famer, and AMA Lifetime Achievement Award recipient has left an indelible mark on successive eras of country music and culture. He went from accompanying Lester Flatt and Johnny Cash to launching a storied solo career highlighted by classic albums such as the Gold-certified Hillbilly Rock and Platinum-certified This One’s Gonna Hurt You as well as GRAMMY® Award-winning anthems, including “The Whiskey Ain’t Workin'” [with Travis Tritt] and “Same Old Train.” Immersing himself in the world of film and television, he notably scored All The Pretty Horses, garnering a Golden Globe® Award nomination for “Best Original Score” and earning GRAMMY® Awards in the category of “Best Country Instrumental Performance” for “Foggy Mountain Breakdown” and “Hummingbyrd.”

Recently, 2023’s Altitude incited widespread critical applause. Of the latter, Associated Press applauded how, “Guitarist Kenny Vaughan, drummer Harry Stinson and bassist Chris Scruggs match Stuart’s guitar virtuosity, with thrilling results,” and American Songwriter attested, “Altitude finds Stuart putting his own stamp on a traditional vein of country.” NPR put it best, “For millions, Marty Stuart is the very image of country music—splendid jackets, musical mastery and his respect for country’s traditions and a good jolt of humor.” You’d be hard pressed to find a corner of country music he hasn’t impacted though. Speaking to his influence, he hosted the long-running fan favorite television series The Marty Stuart Show and notably remains a member of the Country Music Foundation and Grand Ole Opry. Moreover, the Country Music Hall of Fame inducted him during 2020.

He also curated and launched Marty Stuart’s Congress of Country Music in Philadelphia, MS, preserving and celebrating the genre and its history. Joined by his longtime band The Fabulous Superlatives, he cruises into another stratosphere with his first-ever full-length double LP of original instrumentals entitled, Space Junk. The cover art of Space Junk is a painting by Stuart’s longtime hero and pal, Herb Alpert, leader of the Tijuana Bass, a group Stuart considers to be one of the greatest instrumental bands of all time. The inimitable interplay between Marty, Kenny Vaughan, Harry Stinson, and Chris Scruggs fuels this cosmic cowboy trip with sun-kissed surf guitar, breezy California rhythms, soul stirring steel, and fluid fretwork all-around. Space Junk sounds like country music’s preeminent band crash landing on a Malibu beach and performing the most epic jam you’ve ever witnessed by starlight.