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\n\tApproximately 100 years after the Grand Ole Opry launched when radio announcer George D. Hay invited fiddler Uncle Jimmy Thompson to play some of his fiddle tunes on the air on WSM-AM (the program was initially called the WSM Barn Dance and renamed the Grand Ole Opry in 1927), many of country music\u2019s biggest stars came together to celebrate the Opry\u2019s centennial anniversary Wednesday night (March 19) at the Grand Ole Opry House.<\/p>\n
\n\tThe three-hour show Opry 100: A Live Celebration <\/em>aired on NBC and simulcast on Peacock, and feted the Grand Ole Opry\u2019s 100-year evolution and unyielding devotion to promoting country music and its biggest talents.<\/p>\n \n\tA who\u2019s who of country music musicians took part, including nearly 50 official Opry members. Among the artists taking part were Trace Adkins, Bill Anderson, Kelsea Ballerini, Dierks Bentley, Clint Black, Garth Brooks, Stephen Curtis Chapman, Luke Combs, Crystal Gayle, Alan Jackson, Jamey Johnson, Alison Krauss & Union Station, Barbara Mandrell, Ashley McBryde, Reba McEntire, Carly Pearce, Brad Paisley, Post Malone, Blake Shelton, Ricky Skaggs, Marty Stuart, Randy Travis, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban, The War and Treaty, Lainey Wilson, and Trisha Yearwood.<\/p>\n \n\tAlong the way, music both past and present was highlighted, from Luke Combs performing the George Jones classic \u201cThe Grand Tour\u201d to Reba McEntire highlighting the music of Patsy Cline and Loretta Lynn, while Post Malone and Ashley McBryde paid homage to Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash with a rendition of \u201cJackson.\u201d Lainey Wilson and Marty Stuart honored Hank Williams, Sr. with a rendition of \u201cLost Highway,\u201d before Wilson performed her own breakthrough hit \u201cThings a Man Oughta Know.\u201d<\/p>\n \n\tThe majority of the event aired live at Nashville\u2019s Grand Ole Opry House, while some performances were held at Nashville\u2019s Ryman Auditorium, the Opry\u2019s home from 1943 to 1974 (the Ryman still often hosts Opry shows during the winter and on other occasions).<\/p>\n \n\tThe evening ended with a video of Dolly Parton sending her best wishes to the Opry. Then, an all-sing concluded the event, with a multitude of artists showing their devotion to Parton \u2014 and the genre overall \u2014 as McEntire led the star-studded choir in performing \u201cI Will Always Love You.\u201d<\/p>\n \n\tThe telecast was executive produced by Silent House Productions\u2019 Emmy Award winners Baz Halpin, Mark Bracco and Linda Gierahn, along with R.A. Clark and Steve Buchanan.\u00a0See Billboard<\/em>\u2018s ranking of 10 of the best moments from the event below. <\/p>\n