Grand Ole Opry’s Debut Feature Film To Premiere December 4

Brad Paisley. Photo: Chris Hollo

As previously reported, Brad Paisley, Blake Shelton, Darius Rucker, The Band Perry, and Brett Eldredge will bring their electrifying stage performances to screens across the country this December as part of the exclusive cinema event American Saturday Night: Live From The Grand Ole Opry.

The Grand Ole Opry’s debut feature film will premiere Dec. 4 at select Carmike Cinemas theaters, with distribution across America following in January 2016, via a partnership between the Opry and independent distributor DigiNext (a joint venture with Carmike Cinemas Inc.).

The project will capture onstage Opry performances and backstage moments, including Paisley performing “American Saturday Night” and “Country Nation,” Darius Rucker offering his Grammy-winning hit “Wagon Wheel,” as well as “So I Sang,” Blake Shelton’s rendering of “Boys Round Here” and “Gonna,” The Band Perry’s production of “If I Die Young,” and Brett Eldredge’s performance of his first hit, “Don’t Ya.”

“We are excited about the opportunity to take the Opry and country music into movie theaters across the country,” said Steve Buchanan, Opry Entertainment President. “This partnership allows us to present the Opry to fans through a previously unutilized medium and is another way for the Opry to expand its reputation as a vehicle of discovery for America’s music.”

“Everyone in the audience was swept away by each artist’s incredible performance,” said Bud Mayo, Managing Member of DigiNext and President of Carmike’s Alternative Programming and Distribution Division, who attended the live taping on Aug. 31 with Carmike CEO David Passman. “The Opry production was the best I have seen and heard in 40 years in this business. Add the personal interactions with the artists between their sets and moviegoers are in for a thoroughly immersive experience from the moment they do their virtual walk into the hallowed halls of the Opry. This kind of groundbreaking event helps to fulfill the promise of digital cinema and its importance to Carmike and the exhibition industry at large.”

American Saturday Night: Live From The Grand Ole Opry is directed by George J. Flanigen IV. Executive Producers are Buchanan, Robert Deaton, Pete Fisher, and Flanigen.

To find theaters, show times and purchase advance tickets, visit www.oprymovie.com. Tickets also available through www.fandango.com and www.MovieTickets.com.

The Opry is set to celebrate its landmark 90th birthday this weekend (October 2 – 3) in Nashville. Country superstars Little Big Town and Carrie Underwood are among those scheduled for weekend performances, while shows later this month will feature Miranda Lambert, Alan Jackson, Alison Krauss, Loretta Lynn, and The Charlie Daniels Band, among others.

Brett Eldredge. Photo: Chris Hollo.