Ronnie Milsap Opry 50th

 

GRAND OLE OPRY CELEBRATES 50th OPRY ANNIVERSARY OF RONNIE MILSAP AND INTRODUCES THE OPRY NEXTSTAGE CLASS OF 2026

Opry Members Darrin Vincent, Vince Gill, Mark Wills, Trace Adkins, Blake Shelton, T Graham Brown, and Members of the Tennessee School for the Blind Jazz Band perform with Ronnie Milsap

Ella Langley Opry Member Keith Urban Opry Member Vince Gill

Opry Member Blake Shelton Opry Member Trace Adkins Opry Member Mark Wills

Dan Rogers/ Senior Vice President and Executive Producer, Opry  Nicole Judd/ Associate Producer, Show Development, Opry, Gina Keltner/ Associate Producer, Talent, Opry, Kelly Sutton/ Opry Announcer, Hudson Westbrook, Graham Barham, Opry member Vince Gill, Emily Ann Roberts, Alexandra Kay, Jake Worthington, Samantha Kane/ Manager of Artist and Industry Relations, Opry, Lexi Lampin/ Manager, Industry and Artist Relations, Opry, and Jennifer Tressler/Senior Manager, Artist & Label Strategy, Opry Kelly Sutton, Ella Langley and Opry NextStage Class of 2026

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (February 24, 2026) – Tonight, the Grand Ole Opry brought together legendary performers, A-list artists, and the stars of tomorrow on its stage to honor Ronnie Milsap’s 50th Opry anniversary and to welcome a new wave of talent as the Opry NextStage class of 2026, presented by Tecovas (Tecovas.com.)   The Opry NextStage Class of 2026, presented by Tecovas, includes Willow Avalon, Graham Barham, Tyler Braden, Carter Faith, Alexandra Kay, Vincent Mason, Emily Ann Roberts, Hudson Westbrook, and Jake Worthington.   The generational evening featured Opry members Trace Adkins, Vince Gill, Blake Shelton, Mark Wills, and Keith Urban, along with Opry NextStage alum Ella Langley, who all performed their favorite Milsap songs to honor the six-time GRAMMY winner and country music legend, who has more than 35 No. 1 hits. The TN School for the Blind Jazz Band also made a surprise appearance for Milsap.   Performances of Milsap Songs included: Trace Adkins – “Stranger In My House” Mark Wills- “Daydreams About Night Things,” “There Ain’t No Getting Over Me” Ella Langley- “Almost Like A Song,” “I Wouldn’t Have Missed It For The World” Keith Urban- “Legend In My Time” Vince Gill- “Don’t You Ever Get Tired (Of Hurting Me)” Blake Shelton “Any Day Now” Ronnie Milsap- “Smoky Mountain Rain” TN School for the Blind Jazz Band- “Snap Your Fingers" All sing- “What A Difference You’ve Made In My Life”   For the remainder of the year, the Opry NextStage class will receive dedicated support from Opry Entertainment Group and presenting sponsor, Tecovas, through Opry performances, NextStage shows, and heightened promotion to fans across brand platforms. Since its launch in 2019, Opry NextStage artists have achieved a combined 42 No. 1 hits, spending a total of 52 weeks atop the Country Aircheck/Mediabase airplay chart. The program has introduced fans to rising stars such as Hailey Whitters, Lainey Wilson, Megan Moroney, Nate Smith, Parker McCollum, Riley Green, Ella Langley, and Tenille Townes—all of whom went on to win ACM New Male or Female Artist of the Year after their NextStage inclusion. Wilson also made history as the first Opry NextStage alum to become an Opry member.