GRAND OLE OPRY SALUTE THE TROOPS

May 22, 2024 – The Grand Ole Opry honored the United States Military and the VFW with a red-carpet arrivals parade and what has become a highlight of the year, the special Salute the Troops Opry performance last night. Among the artists who performed in honor and celebration of the U.S. military and families included Opry members Trace Adkins, Lauren Alaina, John Conlee, Charlie McCoy, Craig Morgan, who serves as an Army Reserve Warrant Officeras well as Lee Brice, HunterGirl, Austin Snell and Sal Gonzalez.

The Opry invited active duty and veteran service members from the US Army Reserve and VFW as the Opry show’s honored military guests, as well as their spouses, children, and parents to join a red-carpet parade and be greeted by the night’s performers as they entered into the Opry House for the evening’s show. Lt. Gen Jody Daniels, Commanding General of the US Army Reserve, retired Army Lt. Gen Keith Huber, senior advisor for veterans and leadership initiatives at Middle Tennessee State University and founder of the MTSU Charlie and Hazel Daniels Veterans and Military Family Center and Carol Whitmore Jr. Vice Commander-in-Chief with the VFW, lead the parade. 

Trace Adkins met backstage with his special invited guests U.S. military veterans from World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War and Desert Storm. Later in show, Adkins performed his moving “Still A Soldier” and welcomed them all to the stage. (l to r: Josh Bryant (Iraqi Freedom), James Hubbard (Vietnam), James F. Wren (WWII), Oscar Minchey (WWII), John W. Collins (Korea), Trace Adkins, Arnold “AW” Simpkins (WWII), Bryan Gerwitz (Iraqi Freedom), Bryan Anderson (Iraqi Freedom), Ben Fouts (Vietnam))

HunterGirl performs “Harleys in Heaven,” a song she wrote with a fallen veteran’s wife, Heather Von Loh, who was in the audience. The song is part of Operation Song organization’s tribute to Gold Star families.

Craig Morgan who serves as an Army Reserve Warrant Officer and performed a song with the 313th U.S. Army Band

Portions of this year’s Opry Salute the Troops will air as a special Opry Live on this Memorial Day weekend (Saturday, May 25) on the Opry Facebook and YouTube channels, streaming free on the Circle Now app, or tune in via Circle Country digital streaming partners at 9/8 p.m. CT. The show will air live on WSM Radio and will also be heard on SiriusXM, Channel 59 Willie’s Roadhouse.

For live show coverage each night, follow the #Opry on Instagram.