NEWS

The Grand Ole Opry is presenting Opry 100: A Live Celebration tonight. The three-hour special airs on NBC TV from 7-10 and will be hosted by Blake Shelton. Country Now reports the stages of the Opry House and the Ryman Auditorium will both be used. The show will honor legendary Opry moments by featuring exclusive digital content to celebrate past events. Some of the many performers include Brad Paisley, Carrie Underwood, Clint Black, Dierks Bentley, Garth Brooks, Lainey Wilson, Marty Stuart, Reba McEntire, Trisha Yearwood, Vince Gill, Alan Jackson, Keith Urban, Alison Krauss & Union Station, Jamey Johnson, and Ricky Skaggs. Opry members Bill Anderson, Jeannie Seely, Sara Evans, Randy Travis, and Scotty McCreery will also make appearances.

NEWS

I was listening to Bill Anderson singing on the Opry last Saturday night when he announced that his fiddle player, Gail Johnson, had collapsed onstage. He said she had been taken backstage and was being attended by paramedics. He later provided an update in his fan club newsletter. She was taken to Vanderbilt University hospital for observation and treatment; she is still there. Gail is married to Bill’s former keyboard player, Dirk Johnson, who received his long-awaited liver transplant on February 20. Gail had told Bill that Dirk is back home and feeling better than he has in years.Bill sends this request: “I hope you’ll keep Gail, Dirk, and the entire Johnson family in your thoughts and prayers.”