The Grand Ole Opry marks the release of its 100th anniversary acclaimed double album OPRY 100: Country’s Greatest Songs with a week of special events showcasing the decades of performances included on the project. The Opry partnered with Virgin Music Group on the one-of-a-kind album commemorating 100 years of the Opry and featuring 20 never-before-released live recordings from its iconic stage. OPRY 100: Country’s Greatest Songs releases Friday. Nov. 7, just three weeks before the official 100th anniversary of its November 28, 1925 inaugural broadcast with an all-star Opry member show.

OPRY 100: Country’s Greatest Songs features performances drawn from the official, fan-voted Opry 100 Greatest Songs list, which launched at the dawn of the Opry’s 100th year. Fan voting for the #1 all-time greatest country song continues here through Nov. 14. The collection spans iconic Opry moments, from first-time performances of hits like “Elvira” and “Don’t Close Your Eyes,” to superstar collaborations and contemporary artists paying tribute to their heroes. It also includes two “Full Circle” tracks – pairing historic and modern Opry performances of the same song, such as Marty Robbins and Marty Stuart on “El Paso,” and George Jones and Alan Jackson on “He Stopped Loving Her Today.” Other highlights include Patsy Cline’s 1962 classic “Crazy” and Kelsea Ballerini’s recent Opry 100 performance of Barbara Mandrell’s “I Was Country When Country Wasn’t Cool.”

The first single from the collection, Ashley McBryde’s rendition of Hank Williams’ “Your Cheatin’ Heart,” arrived earlier this summer. The Opry followed with the “Full Circle” mix of “He Stopped Loving Her Today,” blending Jones’ 1993 Opry performance with Alan Jackson’s moving tribute from Jones’ 2013 funeral. Additional released performances include Ballerini’s take on “I Was Country When Country Wasn’t Cool,” the “El Paso” mix of Robbins and Stuart, and Darius Rucker’s tribute to Charley Pride with “Kiss an Angel Good Morning.”

OPRY 100: Country’s Greatest Songs Track Listing:

1. “Your Cheatin’ Heart” – Ashley McBryde (2024)
2. “El Paso” – Marty Robbins and Marty Stuart (1981 / 2024) (Full circle mix)
3. “Crazy” – Patsy Cline (1962)
4. “Ring of Fire” – Johnny Cash (1967)
5. “Coal Miner’s Daughter” – Loretta Lynn (1985)
6. “Kiss An Angel Good Mornin’” – Darius Rucker (2021)
7. “I Will Always Love You” – Dolly Parton (feat. Patty Loveless and Marty Stuart) (2007)
8. “The Gambler” – Don Schlitz (feat. Vince Gill) (2025)
9. “Devil Went Down to Georgia” – The Charlie Daniels Band (2015)
10. “Elvira” – The Oak Ridge Boys (1980)
11. “Tennessee Whiskey” – Luke Combs (2016)
12. “He Stopped Loving Her Today (Full Circle Mix)” – George Jones and Alan Jackson (1993 / 2013)
13. “I Was Country When Country Wasn’t Cool” – Kelsea Ballerini (2025)
14. “Forever and Ever, Amen” – Randy Travis (1989)
15. “Don’t Close Your Eyes” – Keith Whitley (1988)
16. “Fancy” – Reba McEntire (2017)
17. “Chattahoochee” – Alan Jackson (2020)
18. “Go Rest High on That Mountain” – Vince Gill (feat. Patty Loveless) (2015)
19. “Jesus, Take The Wheel” – Carrie Underwood (2018)
20. “Mama Don’t Allow / Will The Circle Be Unbroken?” – Old Crow Medicine Show, Dom Flemons, Billy Strings, and Molly Tuttle (2020)

Legendary singer-songwriter John Oates will be the NYU-Americana Music Foundation artist-in-residence for Fall 2025 at NYU’s Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development. During his three-day residency, November 10-12, 2025, Oates will discuss his life in music, engage with students and faculty in the classroom, conduct a master class, and lead a collaborative performance with select students.

A joint effort of NYU Steinhardt and the Americana Music Foundation, the program aims to spotlight Americana music’s heritage, preserve its legacy, and ensure its future. Rosanne Cash inaugurated the residency in 2021-22, followed by bluesman Taj Mahal in 2022-23, Brandy Clark and Allison Russell in 2023-24, and Joe Henry and Rodney Crowell in 2024-2025.

“I am thrilled to welcome John Oates as our Fall 2025 NYU-Americana Music Foundation Artist-in-Residence. His many contributions to and understanding of the creation and culture of popular music will enrich our students’ education and celebrate Americana music’s rich heritage. We are so grateful for our partnership with the Americana Music Foundation, which allows us to bring such award-winning and highly accomplished artists to our community,” says Jack H. Knott, the Gale and Ira Drukier Dean of the Steinhardt School of Culture, Education and Human Development.

“John is a great songwriter and a great performer, with a body of work that stands out in every genre in which he engages,” added Jed Hilly, Executive Director of the Foundation. “We’re honored to host a music creator of John’s status and stature,” commented Phil Galdston, Director of Songwriting. “The opportunity to hear and learn from a practitioner of the art and craft of his magnitude is one we’re very proud to offer our students.”

John Oates is co-founder of the iconic music creators Hall & Oates, as well as an accomplished solo artist. He is a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, American Songwriters Hall of Fame, a recipient of the prestigious BMI Icon Award, multiple Grammy nominations, and numerous American Music and MTV awards.

Prior to his work with Daryl Hall, Oates’ music was focused on the roots of Americana and blues. In the late 1990s, he began to work in Nashville. His collaborations and friendships with the likes of Sam Bush, Jim Lauderdale, and Jerry Douglas helped him rekindle his early influences that have defined his solo career and have yielded nine solo albums: Phunk Shui, 1000 Miles of Life, Mississippi Mile, The Bluesville Sessions, Good Road To Follow, Arkansas, Live from Nashville with the Good Road Band, Reunion, and the most recent release, OATES. A joyous return to his R&B soul roots, OATES featuring eleven new original songs and collaborations with some of pop’s exciting young artists, including Lawrence and Devon Gilfillan. His 2017 autobiography, Change of Season, released by St. Martin’s Press, was an Amazon bestseller.

In 2021, John and his wife Aimee partnered with the streaming broadcast service NugsTV and co-producer Drive Entertainment Group to create a virtual celebration of stories and songs called—OATES SONG FEST 7908—inspired by a live series of shows that they created in 2010 at the historic Wheeler Opera House in Aspen, CO. OATES SONG FEST 7908 became a free streaming concert with all donations and proceeds going to feedingamericana.org. The broadcast featured an all-star roster of artists, all of whom have volunteered their songs and performances to help families without food across the nation, and as a result, over 450,000 meals were provided for American families.

In 2022, John became the international ambassador for “MOVEMBER,” the men’s health initiative, and released a new original song called “Pushing A Rock,” which has a theme of overcoming life’s challenges and struggles. More recently, Oates has been named Ambassador for the Roger Daltrey-led “Teen Cancer America.” 

MCA and the Recording Industry Association of America® announce that Multi-Platinum, 8-time GRAMMY® Award winner Carrie Underwood has become the highest RIAA Certified female country artist of all time with over 95 million units (22.5 million albums and 72.5 million singles) in the US alone across solo titles and collaborations.

“Accomplishments like this are more than I would have ever dared to dream of when I was starting out,” says Underwood. “I owe everything to the fans, who have literally voted for me from the beginning of my career and have showed up and given me so much love for over 20 years. I feel truly blessed.”

“This monumental achievement solidifies Carrie Underwood’s legacy as a generational talent and a true titan of the music industry. Becoming the highest RIAA certified female country artist of all time is a testament to the unparalleled connection Carrie shares with fans and the enduring power of her artistry,” says Mike Harris (President & CEO, MCA).

To celebrate this phenomenal achievement, Robert Femia (COO & EVP Business & Legal Affairs, MCA), Jackie Jones (SVP Artist & Industry Relations, RIAA), Mike Harris (President & CEO, MCA) Katie McCartney (EVP / General Manager, MCA) and Stephanie Wright (EVP / Head of A&R, MCA) presented Underwood with a plaque following her performance at the Grand Ole Opry last week – high res photo available HERE. Underwood’s highest RIAA certifications include her 9x Platinum debut album Some Hearts, smash singles “Before He Cheats” (11x Platinum), “Blown Away” (5x Platinum), “Cowboy Casanova” (4x Platinum), “All-American Girl” (3x Platinum), “Church Bells” (3x Platinum) and iconic platinum and multi-platinum collaborations, including her most recent, “I’m Gonna Love You” with Cody Johnson (Platinum).

Additionally, Underwood’s original holiday song, “Favorite Time Of Year,” has been certified Gold, which was featured on her 2021 holiday album, My Gift (Special Edition).

Underwood has won over 100 major awards including 8 GRAMMY® Awards, 16 ACM Awards including three for Entertainer of the Year (the first female in history to win twice and the only female ever to win three times), 25 CMT Music Awards (holding the record for the most award wins ever for the show), 17 American Music Awards, 10 People’s Choice Awards, and 7 CMA Awards. She has recorded 29 #1 singles (14 of which she co-wrote), and has eight albums that are certified Multi-Platinum or Platinum by the RIAA. All 10 of her albums (including nine studio albums and her 2014 Greatest Hits: Decade #1) – three of which she co-produced – have debuted in the Top 10 on the Billboard Top 200 chart for all genres, beginning with her 9x Platinum debut album, Some Hearts, which was released in 2005.

ABOUT CARRIE UNDERWOOD
Carrie Underwood is a true multi-format, multi-media superstar, spanning achievements in music, television, film, and as a bestselling author and successful entrepreneur. She has been a proud member of the Grand Ole Opry since 2008 and was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2018. She has also built a successful business portfolio inspired by her passion for health and wellness, as she founded and created the fitness and lifestyle brand, CALIA by Carrie Underwood, and her first book, FIND YOUR PATH was an instant New York Times bestseller in 2020 when she also launched her popular fitness app, fit52. Carrie launched her exclusive year-round SiriusXM channel, CARRIE’S COUNTRY, in 2023, and created two additional channels, CARR-DIO by CARRIE’S COUNTRY and SAVIOR SUNDAY DAILY by CARRIE’S COUNTRY, both of which stream exclusively on the SiriusXM app. She became the first artist to perform at the Resorts World Theatre in 2021, where her REFLECTION: The Las Vegas Residency concluded its 72-show run on April 12, and her concert special, “CARRIE UNDERWOOD: REFLECTION,” is now streaming worldwide on Hulu and Disney+. She has starred in the show open for primetime television’s #1 program, NBC’s Sunday Night Football, for 13 consecutive seasons, and will return for a second season on the judges panel of the hit show “American Idol,” alongside Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie on ABC and Hulu, which she joined this year, marking the 20th anniversary of her winning the title.

Texas singer-songwriter and recording artist Elle Townley is readying for the holiday season with her swanky retro country original, “Perfect Christmas,” [pre-save] available everywhere digitally on Nov. 07. Townley is also preparing a new music video for the song available on her YouTube (@ElleTownleyMusic) on Nov. 21.

“I wrote this song with Steven McClintock to bring hope to anyone who feels lonely during the holidays,” said Townley. “It’s a reminder that even when things feel dark, we can still find light and create our own joy.”

Townley co-wrote the song with Steven McClintock, collaborating with Zach Walther and Matt Briggs on production and recording the track at Beagle’s Nest Studio in New Braunfels, Texas.

Townley’s summer single was the bold and empowering “Taking Off My Halo,” [Stream/Listen] a song originally written in the 90s for country superstar LeAnn Rimes by veteran songwriter ‘Songbird’ Sheri Swartz, but was reimagined with Townley during a writing retreat.

Townley also received her third nomination as a finalist for Young Artist of the Year in the upcoming 2025 Texas Country Music Association Awards, with winners set to be revealed on November 09 at Billy Bob’s Texas in Fort Worth.

About Elle Townley:
Hailing from Georgetown, Texas, country singer-songwriter Elle Townley is a rising force in today’s country music scene, known for her powerhouse vocals, magnetic stage presence, and heartfelt songwriting. Blending classic country roots with a bold, modern edge, Elle’s sound speaks to both tradition and the next generation of country fans. Her artistry and talent have earned her recognition across both media and industry circles. She has made TV and media appearances on The Heartland Network, WoodSongs Old-Time Radio Hour, Teen Kids News, Postcards Magazine, Austin Woman magazine, CBS Austin, FOX 7 Austin, AIM Country Music, and more. In competition, she was a Top 5 finalist in the 2020 Houston Rodeo Rockstar competition, winner of the 2021 Old Settler’s Music Festival Youth Competition, and a Texas Country Music Association Young Artist of the Year nominee in 2022, 2024 and 2025. Her 2025 single “Taking Off My Halo” unveils a bold, and unapologetic new chapter in her music career—channeling honesty, empowerment, and a deeper glimpse into the artist she’s becoming. At just 17, Elle Townley is a young artist with an old soul—yet she’s only just getting started.

Country star Drew Baldridge is redefining what it means to be rebellious with his powerful new single, “Rebel,” available everywhere October 31 and impacting country radio November 3 via Lyric Ridge Records/Stoney Creek Records.

Written by Baldridge and Adam Sanders, and produced by Zach Crowell and Nick Schwarz, “Rebel” stands as an anthem for holding fast to your convictions. Turning the traditional idea of rebellion on its head, Baldridge challenges what it means to push back, trading chaos for character and celebrating integrity, faith, and family as the ultimate acts of defiance. With its soaring chorus and driving production, “Rebel” channels the strength it takes to stay true in a world that often rewards compromise.

Anchored by lyrics like “I’m gonna stand my ground / Ain’t gonna back down / Make sure my last name ain’t stained and stands on integrity / I’m gonna stay true to my woman / And true to my roots,” Baldridge delivers a message that’s both timeless and timely; a declaration that these days staying true to your word is the most radical thing of all. The song honors the quiet strength of consistency, loyalty, and setting a good example. It’s about character and doing what’s right even when no one’s watching.

“I wrote this song after noticing how often the wrong things get glorified,” said Baldridge. “Doing the right thing can feel rebellious, and I hope fans – and my son – see that being a rebel here is actually a good thing. The song celebrates doing the right thing even when it’s not the ‘cool’ or easy choice.”

With his signature mix of small-town grit, heart, and honesty, Baldridge continues to forge a genuine connection with fans through songs that champion his core pillars of farm, faith, and family. He’s currently bringing that message to audiences across Australia and New Zealand while opening for Jelly Roll on the Down Under 2025 Tour. After returning to the U.S. for a brief stint, Baldridge will head overseas once again to close out the year with his first-ever UK and European headlining run, the Country Born Tour.