Academy Award Winners to Make Grand Ole Opry Debuts August 18

thecountrynote
Aug 5, 2015
2 min read

Robert Duvall to Sing and Appear as Opry Guest Announcer,

The Boxmasters featuring Billy Bob Thornton Scheduled to Perform

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Academy Award winners Robert Duvall and Billy Bob Thornton are each

scheduled to make their Grand Ole Opry debuts Tues., August 18. Duvall, courtesy of Alcon Sleeping Giant Music, will serve as a guest announcer during the show and perform the song “Cheyenne”, with music producer Michael Hodges, from the original motion picture soundtrack Wild Horses. Roots-rock band The Boxmasters featuring Thornton and also consisting of Teddy Andreadis and J.D. Andrew will perform a set including tunes from the 2015 release Somewhere Down The Road. Among others scheduled to appear that evening are Dustin Lynch, Craig Morgan, David Nail, The Oak Ridge Boys, and Thomas Rhett.

“As we celebrate the Grand Ole Opry’s 90th anniversary, we appreciate when talented personalities from all walks of life recognize the impact of the Opry and want to join us in Nashville,” said Opry Vice President and General Manager Pete Fisher. “We’re looking forward to some good music from our new friends and to sharing a fun night with them and our audience.”

Past Opry performers have included Academy Award winners Sissy Spacek, who played the Opry while preparing for her role as Opry legend Loretta Lynn in Coal Miner’s Daughter, and Kevin Costner, who has played the Opry three times with his band Modern West. Other guest performers and guest announcers have included Kevin Bacon, Jack Black, Lester Holt, Robin Roberts, and Bob Schieffer, to name a few.

Robert Duvall has been nominated for seven Academy Awards (awarded for his performance in Tender Mercies), seven Golden Globes (winning four), and has multiple nominations and one win each of the BAFTA, Screen Actors Guild Award, and Emmy Award. In 2005 he received the National Medal of Arts. His films and television series are some of the most popular of all time including The Twilight Zone, The Outer Limits, To Kill a Mockingbird, THX 1138, Colors, Joe Kidd, The Godfather, The Godfather Part II, MASH, Network, The Apostle, True Grit, The Conversation, Apocalypse Now, Falling Down, Tender Mercies, The Handmaid's Tale, The Natural, Lonesome Dove, and Get Low.

The Boxmasters formed in 2007 and released a self-titled debut record to critical acclaim. The band has enjoyed success on the Americana radio and albums charts, and its Opry stop is part of a summer tour.

Among other artists confirmed for Opry appearances in August are Alison Krauss, Crystal Gayle, Connie Smith, Josh Turner, and Chris Young.