Little Big Town and Pharrell Williams. Photo: Hollo Photographics/Chris Hollo, Mark Mosrie
The Grand Ole Opry kicked off CMA Music Festival week with sold-out shows in the Opry House as well as free shows on the Opry Plaza.
Opry members Little Big Town treated fans in the night’s first show to a surprise as Pharrell Williams joined the group on stage to sing “C’mon,” a song he wrote and produced for the group’s forthcoming album Wanderlust. “He’s from Virginia and he loves country music!” group member Karen Fairchild exclaimed as Williams took the stage to a standing ovation.
Carrie Underwood. Photo: Hollo Photographics/Chris Hollo, Mark Mosrie
In addition to performing on both Opry shows of the night, Carrie Underwood hosted members of her fan club backstage in the Opry House’s Studio A between performances. Among those sharing the Opry stage with Underwood, Little Big Town, and Williams throughout the night were Darius Rucker, Jeannie Seely, Chris Janson, Charles Esten, Bill Anderson, and Lindsay Ell.
Carrie Underwood and her fan club party. Photo By: Chris Hollo / Hollo Photographics
The music started earlier in the day with a free Opry Plaza Party presented by Humana featuring Warner Bros. recording artist Chris Janson along with Plaza Party opener Linday Ell.
Chris Janson at Opry Plaza. Photo: Hollo Photographics/Chris Hollo, Mark Mosrie
Both Janson and Ell are featured on the Opry’s new release Opry 9.0, Vol. II, Discoveries From The Circle.
Lindsay Ell at Opry Plaza Party. Photo: Hollo Photographics/Chris Hollo, Mark Mosrie
During the Plaza Party, Kimberly Williams-Paisley signed copies of her new book Where The Light Gets In in The Opry Shop before taking the Opry stage for her second visit as a guest announcer later in the evening.
Pete Fisher, GM/VP, Grand Ole Opry; Kimberly Williams Paisley; Bill Cody, Opry announcer. Photo: Hollo Photographics/Chris Hollo, Mark Mosrie
