NASHVILLE, Tenn. (May 17, 2008) – Opry Plaza Parties, one of Nashville’s favorite summertime activities, are set to launch their ninth season on Memorial Day Weekend, Sat., May 24. Plaza Parties are free and will run every Saturday night through July 25 beginning at 5:30 p.m. on the Opry Plaza concert stage located in the area in front of the Opry House, the Acuff Theatre, and the Opry Museum.

Grammy®-nominated Western swing band The Time Jumpers lead the summer series with a May 24 performance. The wide range of country, alt-country, and bluegrass artists scheduled to perform throughout the summer also includes Elizabeth Cook, The John Cowan Band, John England and the Western Swingers, Jypsi, Kieran Kane with Fats Kaplin and Lucas Kane, Tift Merritt, Kim Richey, Sunny Sweeney, and 3 Fox Drive.

Additionally, ACM nominee Luke Bryan will take the Plaza stage for a special Tuesday Plaza Party presented by Humana® June 3, kicking off the Opry’s week of CMA Music Fest shows.

A variety of food and beverages will also be available at all Parties throughout the summer. The Opry Plaza Party schedule is below; artists and schedules are subject to change. For updates throughout the summer, visit opry.com.

The Grand Ole Opry® is presented by Cracker Barrel Old Country Store®. For tickets, updates on confirmed artists, and information on the Opry, call (615) 871-OPRY or log on to opry.com.

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ABOUT THE GRAND OLE OPRY
The Grand Ole Opry® presented by Cracker Barrel Old Country Store® presents the best in country music live every week from Nashville, Tenn.  A uniquely American experience for over 80 years, the Opry can be heard on 650 WSM-AM and opry.com.  The syndicated weekly program, America’s Grand Ole Opry Weekend, airs on more than 200 country radio stations across the country and on the Armed Forces Radio Network, and Grand Ole Opry Live airs each week on Great American Country (GAC).  The Grand Ole Opry is owned by Gaylord Entertainment (NYSE: GET), a Nashville-based hospitality and entertainment company that also owns and operates Gaylord Hotels.  For more information, visit opry.com or www.gaylordentertainment.com