What a rich history of The Grand Ole Opry and country music in America from 1925 to today. The book is broken into eras of the Opry, and the members of each time period, This made me want to listen to old country music, and even had me tuning into the Opry for a Saturday night performance during its 100th year.

Okay, I'm in a neighboring state and it's normal to travel to the Grand Ole Opry for the weekend or a week or just to see the decorations at Christmas. I also grew up listening to some of the country greats and I absolutely loved Hee Haw, which made the country singers seem so funny and relatable and nice. So I was excited when NetGalley allowed me access to this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
It was so interesting! I learned about the history of the Grand Ole Opry, with sections divided into time periods. When something was particularly interesting I looked up more information. I knew a lot of the names but I learned so much about how everything has changed. This was really nostalgic for me as I listened to this music with my grandmother.

Listened to the advance "listen" copy of the Grand Ole Opry: A Celebration of the Artists, the Fans, and the Home of Country Music. The version listened to was approx 7 hours, looks like GoodReads shows this audio book at 10 hours.

As a country music fan for decades, I really enjoyed this audio. Especially since the beginning of each chapter contains a short musical interlude.

Narration alternates between Matt Godfrey and Terri Clark. Although Matt's "chapters were around between 45-50 minutes each, Terri Clark's were approx 4-7 minutes.

So much history about the Grand Ole Opry that I was unaware. So glad I listened. But ... now I want to visit!

I highly recommend this. No other radio station has been on air longer.

Many thanks to NetGalley, RBmedia - Recorded Books for approving my request to listen to the advance copy in exchange for an honest review. Publication date is April 15, 2025.

Thank you to the authors, publishers, and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook in exchange for a honest review.

I thoroughly enjoyed listening to the history of the Opry. I listened to this audiobook while I was putting together a puzzle and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The narrators of this audiobook were interesting. One thing that is a must for me with audiobooks is the voices. Good inflection and general voice quality is much appreciated for the overall experience which was evident in this book. Not typically the kind of audiobook I prefer to listen to but i’d definitely recommend to others!

Thanks to NetGalley and Recorded Books for the digital copy of this book; I am leaving this review voluntarily.

You don’t have to be a fan of country music to appreciate its deep roots in the country. No place epitomizes the form of music than the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville. The Opry has been around since 1925 and has consistently been a home for great camaraderie and great music. Name a big-name country music artist and without a doubt, they’ve probably been inducted to the Opry. Johnny Cash, Vince Gill, Carrie Underwood, Reba McIntyre, Barbara Mandrell, Bill Monroe, Hank Williams, Ricky Skaggs. Those are just a few of the many artists who have been welcomed to the Opry with open arms.

100 Years at the Grand Ole Opry celebrates this American form of music, recounting the places and people who have kept the spirit of country music alive for more than a century. There are many instances that tell the stories of how each performer became a member of the Opry and how they felt. Some people waited many years before getting the nod, and each story is heartfelt and joyous.

This audiobook is narrated by a few people: Matt Godfrey as the main narrator and Terri Clark for the sidebars. They did a pretty good job of telling the stories; however, Terri Clark spoke REALLY fast, and I had to adjust the speed whenever she spoke.

100 years of the Grand Old Opry is nothing short of extraordinary. The Opry has shaped the genre and provided a stage for artists to make their mark. Everyone from Reba McIntyre to Kelsea Ballerini has graced its stage.

Thisbook has anecdotes, and insights from the people who were there.

It was nice to hear from the artists themselves how meaningful it was to be inducted, such as Darius Rucker and Blake Shelton.

This book is a must for any country fan

As a lover of country music and being from Tennessee, I loved this book! The audiobook is phenomenal! I loved hearing clips from Dolly Parton, Reba McIntyre, and many more musicians and singers! I highly recommend the audiobook; especially if you love country music.
I was very intrigued with how the Grand Ole Opry got it's start. I loved the history; and really enjoyed hearing how they kept the show during WWII.

Thank you to NetGalley and RBMedia for the ALC!

As someone who lived in Nashville, has toured behind the scenes and have been fortunate to see multiple concerts at the Opry; this audio of the last 100 years was all the even more interesting. Learning the history- even more so that I didn’t know. And feeling the nostalgic Nashville country music.

This was a great history lesson about the origins and the greats that have made the Opry the legend it is today. It was astounding to learn of all the rich and at times sad history that has shaped the music industry that is a Nashville tourist staple. The narrator’s were great. My only issue was the quotes from artists that were then again repeated in the story. It made it redundant and made me think I was going crazy that I had already listened to it

As a longtime music lover, this audiobook was a deilightful ride through the heart of country music. I went in knowing plenty about the stars—Johnny, Dolly, Loretta, Garth—but surprisingly little about the Grand Ole Opry itself.

Matt Godfrey's narration is pitch-perfect (pun intended!), guiding listeners through a century of backstage stories, iconic performances, and cultural milestones. The book covers a lot but never feels rushed, and each moment gets the spotlight it deserves.

What started as a humble fiddle show in 1925 has become the longest-running radio broadcast in U.S. history, and this book celebrates every chapter. By the end, I was moved and impressed, and immediately queued up a country playlist.

If you love music history, you should listen to this one. The Opry isn't just a stage—it's a living, breathing piece of American history.

Thank you to NetGalley and RBMedia for an advanced listener's copy; all opinions expressed in this review are my own.

That was a really interesting read, excellent not just for fans of country music but also people interested in stage performances and the evolution of live broadcast shows.

Thank you NetGalley and RBMedia for the audio ARC

4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

🎧 AUDIOBOOK REVIEW 🎧

As someone who grew up watching the Grand Ole Opry and still watches it I loved listening to the history of it. It was interesting to hear how it all started and how far it’s come to get to what it is today. I think most people know about the Grand Ole Opry and importance of it in music history. Very interesting listen. I enjoyed it.

This audiobook is a delightful experience for any devoted fan of country music. As someone who cherishes Nashville and has visited the iconic Ryman Auditorium, I found this narrative to be a remarkable exploration of the genre's history, articulated through the voices of those who resonate deeply with anyone raised on the melodies of fiddles, guitars, and the tales of rural life (think Dolly, Reba, Minnie Pearl, etc). Despite being a work of nonfiction grounded in factual history and drawing from numerous autobiographies and memoirs, it remains engaging and far from mundane.

The author weaves anecdotes and personal stories, painting vivid pictures of legendary artists and the pivotal moments that shaped their careers. Each chapter unfolds like a song in itself, with highs and lows, triumphs and tribulations, echoing the heartfelt essence of country music. The audiobook's narration enhances this experience, capturing the warmth and authenticity of the genre, making listeners feel as though they are right there in the heart of a small-town dance hall or a bustling honky-tonk. Whether you're a lifelong aficionado or new to the twang and spirit of country, this audiobook invites you to tap your feet, hum along, and appreciate the rich tapestry of stories that define this beloved musical tradition.