Little Big Town’s Christmas at the Opry is more than just an event giving due focus to the holiday season; it stands out as the enduring ancient beauty that the national country’s music at the Grand Ole Opry has. Four of its members of the Grammy award winning band – Karen Fairchild, Kimberly Schlapman, Phillip Sweet, and Jimi Westbrook –all host the program. With this special they incorporate moving harmonies, pieces within pieces and even wonderful stories into the celebration for people around the country.
Performances and Special Guests
The lineup for Christmas at the Opry reads like a who’s who of contemporary and classic music. Each guest artist contributes a unique touch to the holiday festivities:
- Dan + Shay, the award-winning duo, deliver heartfelt renditions of Christmas classics with their signature style.
- Kelsea Ballerini adds a modern twist to holiday favorites, showcasing her vocal versatility.
- Sheryl Crow, a music legend, performs with a blend of bluesy charm and festive joy.
- Kirk Franklin, renowned for his impact on gospel music, uplifts the spirit with a powerful performance.
- Josh Groban, whose voice resonates with warmth and richness, captivates with his interpretation of seasonal classics.
- Kate Hudson, an unexpected but delightful addition, surprises fans with her musical talent.
- Orville Peck, known for his enigmatic persona, brings a hauntingly beautiful take on holiday songs.
The blend of country, pop, gospel, and other genres ensures the special appeals to a wide range of musical tastes, making it a standout event for the holiday season.
The Venue: The Grand Ole Opry
The Grand Ole Opry House, alias country music’s home, is a wonderful site for the special. Emphasized with twinkling lights, festive garlands, and holiday spirit, the venue not only encapsulates the essence of Christmas but also pays tribute to its musical history.
Little Big Town and The Christmas Record
This holiday special ties seamlessly into the release of Little Big Town’s first-ever Christmas album, The Christmas Record. The album, released in October 2024, features a mix of holiday standards and original tracks, including:
- “Christmas Time Is Here”
- “White Christmas”
- “Red, White, and Blue Christmas,” an original song celebrating the holidays with an Americana twist.
The group’s lush harmonies and heartfelt lyrics shine throughout the album, creating a listening experience that’s both nostalgic and fresh.
Behind-the-Scenes Insights
The intended goal for Christmas at the Opry was to provide an audience experience that showcases the scale and magnificence of the Opry and the intimacy of a family get together. Each of the set designers created an interior with winter motifs, such as: dancing fire logs, snowed in forests, and fairy lights; all portraying a more immersive effect. There was also active participation from Little Big Town in deciding the song list and the guests as well so as to enhance the cumulative experience of community.
Why It Matters
Holidays like Christmas at the Opry have more importance than just entertainment aspects; they are communication events too. The purpose of the show is to promote unity through cultural diversity by combining the spirit of Christmas with modern trends in music.
How to Watch
Those fans who could not watch the original broadcast of the special on December 16th 2024 will want to tune in on the encore featuring the special on December 19th 2024, 8 p.m. ET/PT on NBC. Also, it can be seen on Peacock which helps the holiday entertaining spirit reach a wider range of viewers.
This original production is set out on a self designed mission – to put together Christmas classics some of which include a reenactment of a childhood favourite involving the family. All in all, it looks like Little Big Town’s Christmas at the Opry will become a cherished tradition’s effortlessly ensured.