Grand Ole Opry Celebrates Its 100th Birthday with Star-Studded Performances and New Book (Exclusive)
We sat down with the author of ‘Howdy! Welcome to the Grand Ole Opry!’ to discuss how her new book captures the institution’s vast history
When it comes to legendary American music venues, few can rival the mystique and magic of the Grand Ole Opry. Opened in 1925, the Opry is known as the beating heart of country music—and this year, the famed Nashville venue turns 100 years old! Brimming with rich history, the Opry stage’s “sacred circle” marks the place where many artists—from Hank Williams to Dolly Parton and Taylor Swift—first stepped into the spotlight and never looked back. A century later, the Opry remains both a living museum and a unique institution where the past, present and future meet under one roof. To commemorate this special occasion, Woman’s World recently sat down with Emily Frans, Director of Archives and Content at Opry Entertainment Group, author of Howdy! Welcome to the Grand Ole Opry!, to discuss the venue’s enduring impact, her debut children’s book celebrating the 100-year anniversary, what she hopes the next 100 years will bring and more!
Frans hopes the book reaches Opry’s “future fans”
Emily Frans’ Howdy! Welcome to the Grand Ole Opry! is a beautifully illustrated children’s book that offers kids of all ages a vibrant peek behind the scenes of the renowned venue. Not only is the book part of the official 100-year celebration, but Frans says it’s a bit of a full-circle moment for her as she grew up watching the Opry on television. “I’m working my dream job—I sometimes still can’t believe it,” she tells Woman’s World during the interview in a backstage dressing room.
“I grew up near Dallas, Texas, and I always wanted to sing and be a performer, but I realized early on that entertaining just wasn’t me—I’m very shy. That’s when I learned there was a business side of music behind the scenes,” she continued. “Nashville was always the dream. Going to Fan Fair—now CMA fest—was a bucket-list goal and the Opry was at the very top of that list. I grew up watching Opry anniversary specials on TV and loved country music.”
Frans started as an intern nearly two decades ago and has worn many hats over the years—from assistant to the musical director to overseeing the archives. (She even helped book musicians to appear on the beloved TV series Nashville for years!) “This really is a special place. I love the institution and I’m grateful I get to do a little bit of everything—production, business affairs, creative, administrative work. Now I oversee the Opry archives, too, which is not something I originally set out to do. It’s a dream.”
Another dream realized? Writing a children’s book to honor the venue’s 100th birthday! “Ahead of the anniversary, there were countless brainstorm meetings. One idea was a book. Abrams, our publisher, was interested in an adult book—100 Years of Grand Ole Opry. I worked closely on that project. Then, Abrams suggested a children’s book, which I loved. I have two daughters and I’m so passionate about the Opry. The idea of introducing it to the youngest generation felt important, especially now, when kids are flooded with content. I kept thinking to myself: If I didn’t work here, how would my kids learn about the Opry?”
Frans thought this was a fun, immersive way to showcase the venue’s legendary history to future Opry fans. “For me, I had radio and TV growing up, but now discovery is mostly algorithm-driven. That made me excited to create something physical—something kids could hold, explore and feel inspired by. I love the idea of introducing the Opry to future generations,” she shared.
“We were fortunate to work with illustrator Susanna Chapman. She’s incredibly talented. I love the movement and energy she captured. The book uses mixed media—including photos from the archives! She even came to the Opry with me one night and followed my 9-year-old daughter backstage, asking her what she noticed and how it felt. That perspective was really special.”
The Opry then and now: iconic performances, memorabilia, more!
Over the Opry’s expansive history, hundreds of stars have graced the famous stage, including Dolly Parton, Johnny Cash, Hank Williams, Taylor Swift, Darius Rucker, Reba McEntire, Kacey Musgraves and more. In fact, many of these performances go down in music history—especially Dolly Parton’s dazzling debut. In 1959, she made her Opry debut at age 13 after being introduced by Johnny Cash. She sang a beautiful rendition of George Jones’ “You Gotta Be My Baby”—and then received three encores.
To this day, Opry debuts remain a pivotal and coveted moment for any music artist. “Every show tries to incorporate the past, present and future—especially with the 100th anniversary. Right now, we’re really focused on honoring the past while looking ahead to what’s next. And at the Opry, it’s a one-of-a-kind show every night—literally,” Frans said.
One of the things that makes the Opry stand out is its tradition: the general format of the show, the segments and the artists coming and going. “You’re never going to see the same show twice and you’re almost always introduced to a new artist,” points out Frans. “From the artist’s perspective, they’re performing for an audience that may or may not know them, and that makes it special for both the artists and the fans. Those elements have stayed the same.”
Something else that fascinates her is how every artist’s debut experience is different. “The last time I went back through all the old and recent recordings, it was interesting to hear the different answers to the same interview question: What is it like backstage just before you go on and the curtain rises?” she recalls.
“About half the artists said it always feels the same—it’s home, nothing ever changes. And the other half said it’s never the same, it’s always different and that’s what makes it so exciting every time.”
When asked what her favorite piece of memorabilia was in the Opry archive, she says two pieces come to mind: an instrument and a car. “One of my favorites is an old broadcast horn that was on display at WSM Radio. Before everyone had radios in 1925, this horn piped WSM broadcasts right into the streets. It’s incredible to think that’s how some people first heard the Opry,” she said. “Oh, and Tammy Wynette’s Roll’s Royce. We have that, too!”
Live from the Opry: Don Schlitz, Keb Mo, Alexandra Kay
After wrapping up the conversation with Frans, we strolled around backstage, received wristbands and were guided to our seats to enjoy the show. Friday, December 12th, was part of the Opry 100 celebrations and featured performances by songwriter and artist Don Schlitz. “I’m just a songwriter after all,” Schlitz said to the crowd with a smile before launching into a not-so-little song he wrote with Paul Overstreet: “Forever and Ever Amen,” which became a smash-hit when Randy Travis recorded it in 1987. Schlitz officially became an Opry member in 2022, after being invited by Vince Gill—and his induction was a historic moment, because he’s mainly a songwriter and not a performer.
Schlitz is also known for writing other mega songs such as Kenny Rogers’ “The Gambler” and “When You Say Nothing At All”—first recorded by Keith Whitley in 1988 and then by Alison Krauss in 1995. That night, he performed all these songs and made the audience laugh loudly as he bantered into the mic between each.
Other standout performers included country singer Alexandra Kay—who sparkled onto the stage in a shimmery white floral dress and performed Dolly Parton’s cherished holiday classic “Hard Candy Christmas”—and Keb Mo, T. Graham Brown, The Whites and more.
Looking ahead: the Opry takes the Big Apple!
The Opry hosted a slew of celebrations all year—including NBC’s Opry 100, a star-studded TV special that aired back in March. Hosted by Blake Shelton, the TV event featured artists like Reba McEntire, Carrie Underwood and Post Malone performing classic country hits and tributes. But Frans says the celebrations are far from over. “Technically, in 2026 we’ll be in our 100th year, so it’s amazing that we get to continue the celebration,” Frans said. “There are so many exciting things coming up—Jelly Roll was officially invited to become a member, we just brought the show to London for the first time and now we’re going to Carnegie Hall in March, which is something we’re really looking forward to.”
“And when it comes to the children’s book, I’m just simply so happy to use it as a tool to engage kids—it’s something the whole family can enjoy,” she adds. “I’m trying to set up readings at schools and do events like that. I’m thrilled to do it because I really want kids—when they hear the word ‘Grand Ole Opry’—for it to mean something, to spark a feeling and to inspire them through music, the same way I felt when I saw the Opry on my screen as a little girl.”
Order your copy of Howdy! Welcome to the Grand Ole Opry! here. And for more information about the Opry visit, Opry.com.
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