Please send to Audrey no later than one (1) week before your appearance: 

• ​​​​​​Band names, instrumentation, backup vocals (please specify acoustic or electric guitar)
• Wedges or in-ear monitors
• Any Opry Band needs
• Stage plot and input list

Mark Thomas, manager of Technical Services, is here to help with any tech/equipment questions – please be sure to review the Production/Technical section.

Audrey will also need:

• Upload MP3s of song choices, including stems HERE (downloadable files, not links to Spotify or Apple Music)
• Any keys and arrangement notes, if they’re different from the mp3s

Contact the Opry’s Music Director, Kerry Marx, to work through any arrangement questions.

Opry Band Introduction

• Drums (including generating click)
• Bass (acoustic or electric)
• Keys (piano, organ, accordion, synth)
• 2nd Keys (depending on musician availability)
• Acoustic and Electric Guitars (including 12-string, baritone, sitar, etc.)
• Banjo
• Ukelele
• Harmonica
• Fiddle, Violin, Viola, or Cello
• Mandolin
• Bouzouki
• Steel Guitar
• Dobro
• Lap Steel
• Percussion (live instruments and samples)
• 4 Vocalists (Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Baritone)

The use of pre-recorded tracks is discouraged for technical and legal reasons. The Opry Band can reproduce most any track needed for your performance.

Download Stage Plot

Artists are asked to bring their own small instruments, (i.e., guitar, bass, fiddle, mandolin, dobro, steel guitar, etc.) and pedal boards. Larger instruments (i.e., drums, piano, keys, and amplifiers) will be provided by the Opry and shared by all performers. The settings on the amplifiers are up to the musicians. However, we may ask for adjustments if we deem a setting destructive to the broadcast.

Microphones

An assortment of wired and wireless microphones will be provided by the Grand Ole Opry. Small instrument clip-on mics for acoustic instruments may be brought in with prior approval.

Monitors

In-ear systems and wedges are available for all performers, and we have general mixes pre-dialed in both. Due to the nature of our show, sound checks are not generally offered. Mix requests and in-ear packs are available Stage Left before the show begins at 7PM.

The Opry is a live radio show, so all artist changeovers should occur quickly and quietly – as other elements of the show are always taking place. Stagehands are available to assist in their placement and with patching into the system. But musicians will be responsible for getting their instruments to and from the stage. Some items, such as pedal boards or steel guitars, may be set earlier to assist in the changeover.

It’s important to us that we make the Opry a hospitable and comfortable atmosphere for artists and guests. So, we appreciate you adhering to our guest and ticket policy.

We offer each featured artist up to 10 backstage guests and 10 complimentary tickets (20 comp tickets for an artist’s debut performance).

Any additional tickets may be purchased, subject to availability, at an artist discount by submitting the Opry Artist VIP Form to Donna Futch.  

Once complete, a clearance list per artist is due to Audrey by noon on the day of the show (and by noon on Friday for Saturday/Sunday shows). All individual names must be included – no plus ones.

Complimentary ticket holders may pick up their ticket(s) at the box office, unless they are also listed within the artist’s backstage allotment. In that case, their ticket(s) will be left at the backstage desk for pickup.

*If there are any individuals who should NOT be cleared for any reason, please let Audrey know, as we have guests who can purchase guided backstage experiences during the show.

All artists and musicians are paid AFTRA/AFM union scale for their appearances on the Grand Ole Opry.

Please submit the following information for each person performing on the Opry stage to Audrey:

• Current Address (please remember to update us on any change of addresses)
• SSN
• Photo of Driver’s License / Passport OR W9 (if paid to Federal Tax ID)

You can print off a direct deposit form here.

Opry payments are issued every two weeks and are mailed to the addresses on file.

Please fill out and return the Artist Photo/Video Release Form to Audrey before the day of the show. This permits photography within our guidelines and up to 30 seconds of video usage for the artist’s socials and website only. This form only needs to be completed once per artist and covers all subsequent Opry performances.

In addition, all photographers/videographers will be required to sign an acknowledgment upon arrival backstage to obtain their photo/video credentials.

Each show lineup is reviewed by various Opry Entertainment Group teams (Opry social, WSM Radio, Circle TV, etc.) and any requests/opportunities will be sent to artist reps within a week of the performance. If there is a specific request from the artist, you may reach out to Jenn Tressler or Anna Lemme.

All media requests must be approved by Opry publicists, Jessie Schmidt and Dixie Owen, within 48 hours of performance.

Anyone with backstage access may park in the Opry backstage lot.

Please advise Audrey if you are bringing a vehicle that requires extra space or shore power.

Download Parking & Directions

• The Opry’s radio home, WSM, has broadcasted the Saturday Night Opry every Saturday night since November 1925 and is the most famed country music radio station in the world. Tune in to hear the show in its entirety from anywhere in the world and in its original broadcast format at 7 PM CT/8 PM ET on WSM Radio 650 AM or online at https://wsmradio.com/listen-live/.
• SIRIUS XM Radio is the exclusive satellite radio home of the Grand Ole Opry! Enjoy the Grand Ole Opry on Willie’s Roadhouse – SIRIUS XM channel 61 every Tuesday and Saturday night.