100 Years of Grand Ole Opry: A Celebration of the Artists, the Fans, and the Home of Country Music

by Grand Ole Opry

The official book celebrating 100 years of the Grand Ole Opry—an intimate, gorgeously illustrated behind-the-scenes look at the American institution and world-renowned stage for country music

Packed with spectacular photos and tributes from country music’s biggest names, 100 Years of Grand Ole Opry is a glorious, one-of-a-kind celebration, and a must-have for any country music fan.

This centennial celebration showcases the beloved institution’s history through lively never-before-seen photography, as well as behind-the-scenes stories from those who have paced backstage before career-defining performances, and those who have come to know the Opry as a second home.

Since 1925, the Grand Ole Opry has left an undeniable mark on American culture. What began as an impromptu performance of old-time fiddle tunes has transformed into the longest-running radio broadcast in US history, as well as a live performance venue for millions of country music fans each year.

Widely regarded as the show that made country music famous, the Opry has played an important role in the careers of country music’s biggest stars—including Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton, Loretta Lynn, Carrie Underwood, Luke Combs, and countless others—popularizing and preserving some of the most beloved forms of American music. 
 
The hunger for country music has only grown in recent years, and the Grand Ole Opry stands at the center.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Music

354 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 15, 2025

Reviews

[Kristina Laxen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This audiobook is a great experience for any fan of country music. As someone who cherishes Nashville and has visited the iconic Ryman Auditorium, I found this narrative to be a remarkable exploration of the genre's history, articulated through the voices of those who resonate deeply with anyone raised on the melodies of fiddles, guitars, and the tales of rural life (think Dolly, Reba, Minnie Pearl, Garth Brooks, etc). Despite being a work of nonfiction grounded in factual history and drawing from numerous autobiographies and memoirs, it remains engaging and far from mundane.

The author weaves anecdotes and personal stories, painting vivid pictures of legendary artists and the pivotal moments that shaped their careers. Each chapter unfolds like a song in itself, with highs and lows, triumphs and tribulations, echoing the heartfelt essence of country music. The audiobook's narration enhances this experience, capturing the warmth and authenticity of the genre, making listeners feel as though they are right there in the heart of a small-town dance hall or a bustling honky-tonk. Whether you're a lifelong aficionado or new to the twang and spirit of country, this audiobook invites you to tap your feet, hum along, and appreciate the rich tapestry of stories that define this beloved musical tradition.

Thanks to RBMedia and NetGalley for the ALC in exchange for an honest review.

[Bargain Sleuth Book Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and Recorded Books for the digital copy of this book; I am leaving this review voluntarily.

You don’t have to be a fan of country music to appreciate its deep roots in the country. No place epitomizes the form of music than the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville. The Opry has been around since 1925 and has consistently been a home for great camaraderie and great music. Name a big-name country music artist and without a doubt, they’ve probably been inducted to the Opry. Johnny Cash, Vince Gill, Carrie Underwood, Reba McIntyre, Barbara Mandrell, Bill Monroe, Hank Williams, Ricky Skaggs. Those are just a few of the many artists who have been welcomed to the Opry with open arms.

100 Years at the Grand Ole Opry celebrates this American form of music, recounting the places and people who have kept the spirit of country music alive for more than a century. There are many instances that tell the stories of how each performer became a member of the Opry and how they felt. Some people waited many years before getting the nod, and each story is heartfelt and joyous.

This audiobook is narrated by a few people: Matt Godfrey as the main narrator and Terri Clark for the sidebars. They did a pretty good job of telling the stories; however, Terri Clark spoke REALLY fast, and I had to adjust the speed whenever she spoke.

[Ashby Dodd · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a longtime music lover, this audiobook was a deilightful ride through the heart of country music. I went in knowing plenty about the stars—Johnny, Dolly, Loretta, Garth—but surprisingly little about the Grand Ole Opry itself.

Matt Godfrey's narration is pitch-perfect (pun intended!), guiding listeners through a century of backstage stories, iconic performances, and cultural milestones. The book covers a lot but never feels rushed, and each moment gets the spotlight it deserves.

What started as a humble fiddle show in 1925 has become the longest-running radio broadcast in U.S. history, and this book celebrates every chapter. By the end, I was moved and impressed, and immediately queued up a country playlist.

If you love music history, you should listen to this one. The Opry isn't just a stage—it's a living, breathing piece of American history.

Thank you to NetGalley and RBMedia for an advanced listener's copy; all opinions expressed in this review are my own.

[Colleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Listened to the advance "listen" copy of the Grand Ole Opry: A Celebration of the Artists, the Fans, and the Home of Country Music. The version listened to was approx 7 hours, looks like GoodReads shows this audio book at 10 hours.

As a country music fan for decades, I really enjoyed this audio. Especially since the beginning of each chapter contains a short musical interlude.

Narration alternates between Matt Godfrey and Terri Clark. Although Matt's "chapters were around between 45-50 minutes each, Terri Clark's were approx 4-7 minutes.

So much history about the Grand Ole Opry that I was unaware. So glad I listened. But ... now I want to visit!

I highly recommend this. No other radio station has been on air longer.

Many thanks to NetGalley, RBmedia - Recorded Books for approving my request to listen to the advance copy in exchange for an honest review. Publication date is April 15, 2025.

[Jeff · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book about the Grand Ole Opry’s first 100 years. Starting out as a small radio broadcast in the 1920’s, this weekly radio broadcast has brought country music to many and developed over time to include concerts, a hotel, and even a theme park. Each chapter in this book covers about a decade and details the performers, notable singers and bands, and performance venues that have been part of this tradition.

This was a really interesting book. I didn’t grow up on country music, so I appreciated learning more about the history and singers. Because it covers such a wide range of years, it skims the surface, though it would be a good starting point for more exploration. There were a few spots where captions referred to nonexistent photos. I looked for a CD box set and didn’t see one available, but I put together a playlist as I read and look forward to learning and listening to more.

[Lena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the authors, publishers, and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook in exchange for a honest review.

I thoroughly enjoyed listening to the history of the Opry. I listened to this audiobook while I was putting together a puzzle and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The narrators of this audiobook were interesting. One thing that is a must for me with audiobooks is the voices. Good inflection and general voice quality is much appreciated for the overall experience which was evident in this book. Not typically the kind of audiobook I prefer to listen to but i’d definitely recommend to others!

[Mamawattto4 Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and RBMedia for the audio ARC

4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

🎧 AUDIOBOOK REVIEW 🎧

As someone who grew up watching the Grand Ole Opry and still watches it I loved listening to the history of it. It was interesting to hear how it all started and how far it’s come to get to what it is today. I think most people know about the Grand Ole Opry and importance of it in music history. Very interesting listen. I enjoyed it.

[Teena · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you love country music, history, Nashville, etc, you will like this book. I highly recommend the audiobook because many country singers make appearances.
I loved hearing how the Grand Ole Opry got started. This book takes you from the very beginning, to the plans and opening of Opryland USA, the flood in Nashville in 2010, Covid times, many tragic deaths of members of the Opry, and so much more. I loved every detail.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ALC of this book.

[John Schorg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Writing a book covering this much history is quite a task, and the authors deserve credit for packing as many bios in this space as they do. There is poking into some of the negatives surrounding the Opry, but by and large, you can tell this is this is an institution approved book. One does have to wonder if there is a juicier chronicle out there for additional context.

[Kate See · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a rich history of The Grand Ole Opry and country music in America from 1925 to today. The book is broken into eras of the Opry, and the members of each time period, This made me want to listen to old country music, and even had me tuning into the Opry for a Saturday night performance during its 100th year.

[Jon Higgins · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is being generous. What a miss. No archived music. Sporadic sound bites. Has all the sparkle of an annual report, minus the financials. Booing this off the stage.

[Jack Barrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

fine history in words and pictures. Truly an American must see event.

[Susan Nations · Rating 3 out of 5]

Grand ole Opry is one I picked up on our recent Nashville trip. I enjoyed the stories that literally walk you through the 100 year history. BUT I also found it drab in places. Likely only a read for a niche group of country music fans. ⭐️⭐️⭐️