Grand Ole Opry CBS Television Special Reaches 13 Million Viewers Opry Receives Mass Media Attention During Its 75th Anniversary Celebration
November 29, 2000 NASHVILLE, Tenn., Nov. 28 /PRNewswire/ -- The Grand Ole Opry's CBS Television Special ("Grand Ole Opry's 75th - A Celebration"), which aired Thanksgiving night, helped the network post its best Thursday showing season-to-date. Over 13 million viewers tuned in to watch Opry members pay tribute to the world's longest running live radio show. The Opry special gave CBS its best performance during the 9-11pm (EST) time slot on a Thursday since May 18, 2000. Generations of artists, from Vince Gill, Dolly Parton, Reba and Garth Brooks to Loretta Lynn, Porter Wagoner, Ralph Stanley and Little Jimmy Dickens, performed songs of some of the Opry's most legendary talents like Hank Williams, Patsy Cline and Marty Robbins, among others, during the two-hour program. The CBS television special is one of many ways the Opry has shared its milestone 75th Anniversary with the world. Additional attention to the Opry has been garnered through stories by USA Today, USA Weekend, the Wall Street Journal, Chicago Sun Times, Los Angeles Times, Atlanta Journal Constitution, San Diego Tribune, New York Daily News, Los Angeles Daily News, People Magazine, Southern Living Magazine and TV Guide to television outlets such as TV Guide Channel, Entertainment Tonight, Access Hollywood, CBS Early Show, CBS Sunday Morning, CNN, the A&E Network and NHK Television (Japan). Rollingstone.com and the BBC have also devoted pieces to this American icon.
The Grand Ole Opry will continue its year-long 75th anniversary celebration into 2001 by returning to the historic Ryman Auditorium for two months of performances, in January and February. For tickets to the Opry, call 615.889.3060 or log onto www.opry.com .
The Grand Ole Opry is part of Gaylord Entertainment Company, a diversified entertainment company operating in three business groups: hospitality and attractions, creative content and interactive media. Gaylord Entertainment is headquartered in Nashville, Tenn., and its stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: GET). SOURCE Grand Ole Opry
CONTACT: Jessie Schmidt or Darlene Bieber, both of Schmidt Relations, 615-846-3878, for Grand Ole Opry/