The Isaacs, newly-inducted Grand Ole Opry members are joined by John Conlee, Connie Smith, and Connie Smith for a...[+] performance "Amazing Grace." Photo by Rachael Schwarz/Grand Ole Opry Credit
The show began with a brief video that shared some history and also made the observation that many of today's most prominent stars in country music started by listening to the Grand Ole Opry radio.
The celebration of 5000 consecutive Saturday night shows - then began.
The Opry members Connie Smith and the Gatlin Brothers, Bill Anderson and Terri Clark were on stage. They sang a selection of country songs including Wabash Cannonball and Jambalaya.
The Devil Went down to Georgia was an Opry member Charlie Daniels's tribute. He died in July 2020. Chris Janson sang the song and then went out to play some of his high-energy, fast-paced harmonica playing to bring it back home.
Connie Smith, Terri Clark, Bill Anderson and the Gatlin Brothers opened the Grand Ole Opry’s 5000th Show on October 30, 2021 Credit to Grand Ole Opry/Photo: Rachel Black
Chris Janson, Country artist Credit: Grand Ole Opry
Opry Members performed their greatest hits or, in some cases the greatest hits by others for two hours. Darius Rucker, who claimed he was Little Jimmy Dickens in a hat, stylish, country-style trimmed suits, and sung Walking After Midnight for Patsy.
NASHVILLE (TENNESSEE) - OCTOBER 30, 2010: Darius Rucker at the Grand Ole Opry’s 5000th Show. Photo by Terry Wyatt/Getty Images
Vince Gill brought along a guitar that Sam McGee owned, which was the first time he played the Grand Ole Opry in 1925. Gill also paid tributes to Sonny Osborne who was part the bluegrass duo the Osborne Brothers. He died last week just days before his 84th Birthday. Gill performed Making Plans, another Osborne Brothers song in Sonny's memory. He also noted that it was written by Johnny Russell, an Opry member.
NASHVILLE (TENNESSEE) - Vince Gill performs at the Grand Ole Opry’s 5000th Saturday Night show... [+] (Photo: Terry Wyatt/Getty Images). Getty Images
Many Opry legends performed their earliest hits. These were Bill Andersons Still, Connie Smiths One A Day, John Conlees rose colored glasses, Jeannie Seelys don't touch me, and Connie Smiths Still.
Anderson and Seely also performed When Two Worlds Collide.
Smith, Conlee and Seely joined Dustin Lynch and Chris Young later for Will the Circle be Unbroken. This song has become a country music classic and is symbolic of the connection between the past and the present.
Jeannie Seely & Bill Anderson perform during Grand Ole Opry's 5kth Saturday Night broadcast Credit: Grand Ole Opry
Dustin Lynch, Connie Smith and John Conlee perform "Will The Circle be... [+] Unbrobken." Credit: Grand Ole Opry/Photo courtesy of Chris Hollo
The evening was filled with music, memories, special moments, and great music. Chris Young performed Kiss an Angel Good Morning in tribute to Charley Pride.
Chris Young performing "Kiss An Angel Good Morning", on the Grand Ole Opry Credit to: Grand Ole Opry
The night ended with Trish Yearwood and Garth Brooks taking to the stage, with only Brooks on guitar. They sang for nearly 20 minutes, sometimes asking the crowd to join them. His songs were Baton Rouge and Two Pina Coladas. Hers was Shes in Love with the Boy and How Do I Live.
The couple, who are celebrating 16 years of marriage this December, played a playful game about which of their biggest hits.
Brooks mentioned that his song "In Anothers Eyes" won a Grammy.
Yearwood, who performed with him on the 1997 hit, quickly replied, You're welcome.
They performed a stunning rendition with stellar vocals from both of them, as if to show that the song was truly a joint effort. It was a hit with the audience.
It was certainly a night to be remembered. It was a celebration for the Opry's 5000th consecutive Saturday performance. However, it is interesting to see that there is another significant milestone in the future. In less than four years, the Grand Ole Opry celebrates its 100th birthday. Still going strong.
