The Grand Ole Opry hosted a special celebration honoring the CMA Awards on Sunday (Nov. 8), with Lorrie Morgan among the first performers announced for the event.
Deana Carter, Vince Gill, Jamey Johnson, Lorrie Morgan and Ricky Skaggs were initially confirmed for the lineup. Crystal Gayle, Ketch Secor and Molly Tuttle were subsequently added to the list of performers.
The Opry promoted the occasion with the following announcement:
“60 years of the CMA Awards calls for a celebration! On November 8, we’re taking a trip back to the years when “Country Music’s Biggest Night” called the Grand Ole Opry House home. Hosted by 18-time CMA Award-winner Vince Gill and featuring performances from Deana Carter, Jamey Johnson, Lorrie Morgan, Ricky Skaggs, and more. Join us for a special night at the Grand Ole Opry!”
According to an Opry press release, the special program would also “include vintage video clips from the Opry House era of the Awards show featuring Alabama, Alan Jackson, Barbara Mandrell, Ronnie Milsap, Dolly Parton, and more.”
Lorrie Morgan Performs Two Special Songs at the Opry Celebration
The evening’s lineup revisited memorable moments from CMA Awards history, including tributes to Ronnie Milsap, who was named Entertainer of the Year in 1977, and Alabama, which won Entertainer of the Year, Vocal Group of the Year and Album of the Year in 1983.
Secor and Tuttle also delivered an emotional tribute to Dolly Parton and John Anderson, while Jamey Johnson and Vince Gill paid additional musical tributes to Anderson.
Another standout moment came when Lorrie Morgan took the stage. With six CMA nominations and two wins to her credit, the country star performed “Watch Me” before honoring her late husband, Keith Whitley, with a special tribute.
Morgan paid tribute to Whitley with a performance of his beloved song “Don’t Close Your Eyes,” which he released in March 1988, just over a year before his death.
The two singers also shared a special place in CMA Awards history, winning Vocal Event Of The Year in 1990 for their duet “Til A Tear Becomes A Rose.” This year marks the 26th anniversary of that memorable achievement.
Source: Various
