Country music legend Connie Smith was set to celebrate her 60th anniversary as a Grand Ole Opry member on Thursday (August 21). The Opry had originally planned a “special evening” for August 20 to honor the milestone. However, the event has now been postponed.
The news came on Tuesday (August 19), just a day before the show. Smith’s team shared a statement on social media:
“Unfortunately, the special evening at the Grand Ole Opry planned for tomorrow night celebrating Connie Smith’s 60 years as an Opry member must be postponed. We look forward to rescheduling this soon and to listening to [the] wonderful lineup of folks performing tomorrow night!“
The Opry and Smith explained the reason behind the delay. Smith’s husband and fellow Opry member, Marty Stuart, said they’ve been dealing with “the unwelcome presence of COVID in [their] home.” It was not clear whether Smith, Stuart, or both were affected.
The Opry added, “We will look forward to celebrating Connie’s 60th with her (and with Marty by her side) on a future date to be announced soon.”
Stuart and Smith are one of only four married couples where both partners are current Opry members. The others are Ricky Skaggs and Sharon White of the Whites, Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood, and Little Big Town’s Karen Fairchild and Jimi Westbrook.
Even with the postponement, the Opry will still host a show on Wednesday evening, featuring John Conlee, Dailey & Vincent, Sierra Ferrell, Mandy Barnett, Vince Gill, The Isaacs, Old Crow Medicine Show, Riders in the Sky, and The Whites.
Another Opry Member Recently Had to Cancel a Show
Connie Smith isn’t the only Opry member who recently had to cancel a performance. Bill Anderson, the longest-serving Opry member, canceled his show on August 16.
In a statement released on August 18, Anderson explained he was hurt in a “freak accident.”
“…I simply twisted or tore some ligaments or muscles or something in the back of my left leg trying to climb into bed, and I fell to the floor unable to walk. I was in excruciating pain and had to cancel a songwriting appointment with T. Graham Brown on Friday, the Opry on Saturday, and an appearance at the State Fair for WSM on Sunday. If you know me, you know how much it bothers me to go back on any commitment I may have made,” Anderson said.
Anderson had just been at the Opry House a few days earlier for Jeannie Seely’s memorial service.
We’ll keep Anderson, Smith, and Stuart in our thoughts. Here’s hoping Smith recovers soon so the Opry can give her the anniversary celebration she truly deserves!
