The Grand Ole Opry at Carnegie Hall

Watch this two-hour presentation of the Grand Ole Opry at Carnegie Hall. The show was taped in November 2005, during CMA week, and can now be seen exclusively on GAC on March 12, 2006 at 8:00 pm ET/PT.

The Opry has played Carnegie Hall twice previously, in 1947, when Ernest Tubb took a troupe of artists to play there, and more recently, in 1961.

Who was there in 1961?
Marty Robbins, Patsy Cline, Bill Monroe & His Bluegrass Boys, Faron Young, Grandpa Jones, Ben Smathers and the Stony Mountain Cloggers, fiddler Tommy Jackson, the Jordanaires, Jim Reeves and Minnie Pearl

Who was there in 2005?
Trace Adkins, Bill Anderson, Little Jimmy Dickens, Vince Gill, Alan Jackson, Alison Krauss, Martina McBride, Ricky Skaggs, Brad Paisley, Charley Pride and Trisha Yearwood.

The show includes emotional performances from Brad Paisley and Alison Krauss ("Whiskey Lullaby"), Alan Jackson ("Remember When"), Martina McBride ("Independence Day"), and a finale of "I'll Fly Away / I Saw The Light / Will The Circle Be Unbroken."

If you weren't live to witness this historic event, you're in luck, as GAC will air this exclusive two-hour special on March 12, 2006 at 8:00 pm ET/PT. It will re-air on Monday, March 13th at 6pm ET, Wednesday, March 15th at 8pm ET/PT, and Thursday, March 16 at 4pm ET.

Watch a video preview.

Some thoughts from the artists who performed in 2005
"What an amazing place to have the opportunity to come and share the 80th anniversary of the Grand Ole Opry here at Carnegie Hall. This truly is an amazing honor for all of us to be on this stage." -- Vince Gill

"You folks think I'm short now? You should have seen me when they told me I was coming to Carnegie Hall. I grew a foot overnight!" -- Little Jimmy Dickens

"I think about those who played here (when the Opry last toured Carnegie Hall in 1961). What a trip that must have been. I just hope we're doing their memory proud. We are just so thrilled to be here." -- Brad Paisley

"There have been so many great acts on this stage. This is a nice place and time for us to play here. It is an honor to be in this historic building." -- Alan Jackson

(Photos courtesy of Great American Country)