Yes. But understanding why requires setting aside what you think a Grand Ole Opry show is.
The most common mistake people make before attending is assuming they’re going to a concert of a single country artist they probably don’t know. That’s not what the Opry is. A typical show features 6 to 8 different artists performing 2 to 3 songs each. You might see a 40-year Opry veteran followed by someone who released their first album six months ago, followed by a bluegrass band, followed by a comedian, followed by a gospel singer. Every show is different. The format is closer to a variety show than a concert.
What You’re Actually Watching
The Grand Ole Opry is the longest-running live radio broadcast in the world – 100 years as of November 2025, still broadcasting on 650 AM WSM every show night. Sitting in the audience means participating in a radio broadcast. That context changes the experience. You’re not just watching a show; you’re watching the same format that has been running weekly since 1925, in a venue that has hosted Johnny Cash, Patsy Cline, Hank Williams, Dolly Parton, and Carrie Underwood.
The 2025 centennial year also demonstrated how much the Opry’s definition of “country” has expanded. Post Malone performed a duet with Travis Tritt. Aloe Blacc appeared on the NBC special. Sabrina Carpenter made her Opry debut. Mumford and Sons performed at the Royal Albert Hall show in London in September 2025 alongside Opry members Luke Combs and Darius Rucker. The Opry has always defined country music broadly – bluegrass, Americana, folk, and gospel have all had homes on that stage – and that range only grows.
The “I Don’t Like Country Music” Problem
The more honest version of “I don’t like country music” is usually “I don’t like contemporary mainstream radio country.” That version of country – the bro country era, the heavily produced pop crossover sound – is only one slice of what appears at the Opry on any given night. People who describe themselves as not country music fans consistently report being surprised by how much they enjoy the show, largely because what they actually don’t like is a specific subgenre, not the broader range of music the Opry presents.
Also worth noting: you already know more country songs than you think you do. “I Will Always Love You” was written by Dolly Parton. “Jolene” was written and performed at the Opry. “King of the Road” is country. The roots of enormous amounts of American music – including R&B, rock and roll, and gospel – run through this stage.
A Practical Caveat
Check who is performing before you go. The Opry posts its lineup on opry.com. Listen to a few songs by each artist beforehand. The experience is meaningfully better when you can recognize what you’re hearing. This takes 20 minutes and significantly improves the show for non-fans.
The format includes live radio commercials, which some people find charming and others find tedious. They’re brief. The venue itself – 4,400 seats, excellent acoustics, a stage with a circle of wood cut from the Ryman floor in 1974 – is worth experiencing regardless of the music.
The Alternative
If attending a show feels like too large a commitment on a short Nashville trip, the daytime backstage tour covers the physical history of the Opry in about 60 minutes and lets you stand in the stage circle. The Opry’s own website acknowledges: “Every Opry show is a 100-year celebration of music, history, storytelling, and unforgettable moments that span beyond the country music genre.” That sentence is technically promotional but also accurate. The history of the place is legitimately interesting whether or not country music is your preferred genre.
The Opry is 20 minutes northeast of downtown Nashville at 2804 Opry Mills Drive. It’s not walkable from downtown. Budget the transportation time.
Sources
- wikipedia.org – Grand Ole Opry (2025)
- opry.com/plan-your-visit/opry-house-faqs
- tripadvisor.com – Grand Ole Opry advice (multiple threads)
- nashvilletourbase.com – Our Grand Ole Opry Guide