Latest news with #GrandOleOpry
New York Post
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Korie Robertson on 'Duck Dynasty' revival, secret to Willie marriage
Quack is back. The hit reality series 'Duck Dynasty,' which originally ran for 11 seasons from 2012 to 2017, is back for a revival. Premiering June 1 (9 p.m on A&E) and already renewed for a Season 2, 'Duck Dynasty: The Revival' revisits the Robertson family. 'It's been almost nine years now, and we didn't necessarily think we were going to come back to television,' Korie Robertson, 51, told The Post. But when A&E asked them to return, the Robertsons 'came together and really prayed about it as a family. We were like, 'wow, that feels right.'' 8 Jeb Robertson, Willie, and Si Robertson in 'Duck Dynasty: The Revival.' Bryan Tarnowski/A&E She joked that when the show premiered in 2012, 'We were like 'we're going to be on television' and we got our nails done and put extensions in the hair, the makeup was perfect and all that.' This time around, they're more casual. 'We're kind of like, 'okay, the cameras are in our house.' We're so used to it. So we're walking out having our coffee, and the cameras are there.' 8 Willie Robertson and Korie Robertson attend the 11th Annual K-LOVE Fan Awards at The Grand Ole Opry on May 26, 2024 in Nashville, Tennessee. Getty Images The original 'Duck Dynasty' followed the Robertson family and their hunting and outdoor recreation business Duck Commander in West Monroe, Louisiana. The Season 4 premiere scored over 11 million viewers in 2013. The show prioritized 'faith, family, and ducks' and focused on Phil Robertson and his adult sons such as Korie's husband, Willie Robertson. Phil, who had Alzheimer's, passed away at age 79 on May 25. He is not involved in the revival series. The show now centers around Willie, 53, Korie, their six kids — including John Luke Robertson, 29, Rebecca Loflin, 36, Willie Robertson Jr., 23, Bella Robertson-Mayo, 22, Rowdy Robertson, 22, and Sadie, 27 — and their eight grandchildren. 8 Phil Robertson, Jase Robertson, Si Robertson and Willie Robertson from the A&E series, 'Duck Dynasty' in 2013. AP 8 Korie Robertson with her daughter, Sadie, on 'Duck Dynasty: The Revival.' Bryan Tarnowski/A&E Phil's brother, Silas 'Si' Robertson, 77, is also on the revival show. After the original show ended, the family scattered, as their kids got married and went to college. 'Four out of our six kids are literally in our neighborhood,' Korie told The Post. 'Willie says he can hit a golf ball and hit any of our kids' houses, which is the greatest blessing. And then we're all working together in the Duck Commander warehouse.' Even more, her office is near Sadie's podcast studio, John Luke's coffee roaster, and the store where Bella works. In the first 'Duck Dynasty,' Korie said that she and Willie were 'the parents, [but are] now the grandparents.' 8 Willie and Korie Robertson on 'Duck Dynasty: The Revival.' Bryan Tarnowski/A&E 'And [the first show] was the time period of our lives where Willie and I both were trying to grow our business,' she explained. 'And now, we're in that next phase of life.' Their kids were in middle school and high school in the earlier seasons. 'So they got to live their teenage lives on television, which was kind of nice that they all wanted to do it again,' she told The Post. 'We were like 'okay, we didn't ruin them by putting them on television as middle schoolers!'' 8 Willie and Korie Robertson in a 2024 Instagram photo. Korie and Willie have been married for 33 years. 'We really grew up together. We are best friends, we work together on the show, and in life and Duck Commander, and all the things we do. So I think respect for one another is really important, and to respect each other's differences,' she said of why their marriage works. They also 'talk through' the hard times. 'Sometimes you can wake up and you realize, 'We're going in different directions.' But noticing that and being intentional about coming back together every single time has been what's been important for us.' 8 Willie and Korie Robertson with their adult children on 'Duck Dynasty: The Revival.' Bryan Tarnowski/A&E 8 Korie and Willie Robertson with their kids on 'Duck Dynasty: The Revival.' Bryan Tarnowski/A&E Since her kids have spouses that weren't on the first version of the show, 'we tried to prepare the newbies,' she said. Korie told her sons and daughter in-laws, 'just be prepared for the comments, because you will get that. Not everybody's going to like you, not everybody's gonna like our show. People are going to have opinions about you. That comes with the territory.' 'That is the thing that we've been through, the ones who've done it before. We know what that's like.'
Newsweek
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
Hoda Kotb Reveals Daughter Diagnosed With Chronic Condition
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Former Today coanchor Hoda Kotb returned to the show on Wednesday to reveal her daughter's Type 1 diabetes diagnosis. The Mayo Clinic defines "Type 1 diabetes" as "a chronic condition. In this condition, the pancreas makes little or no insulin. Insulin is a hormone the body uses to allow sugar (glucose) to enter cells to produce energy." Newsweek reached out to Kotb's representative via email for comment. The Context Kotb announced the adoption of her first child, Haley Joy, in 2017 after a 2007 breast cancer diagnosis left her unable to conceive. In 2019, the journalist revealed that she had adopted a second child named Hope Catherine. She shares her daughters with her ex-fiancé, Joel Schiffman. The pair called off their engagement in 2022. The 60-year-old had spent most of her career with NBC. She first joined the network in 1998 as a correspondent for Dateline, and in 2007, she hosted the fourth hour of Today. Kotb became a co-anchor of the hit news show in 2018 and left the program in January 2025. In February 2023, Kotb briefly stepped away from Today for a "family health matter." At the time, Hope Kotb, then 4 years old, was hospitalized due to an unspecified illness and was in the intensive care unit. In October 2024, Hoda Kotb shared that "Hope is thriving" after moving out of New York City and into the suburbs of New York. "She's improving, we're watching her, and I think as time goes on, we'll have a better handle on it, but we're already seeing great differences," she told People. "We really have excellent care; I have people helping us out. I feel like she is finding steady footing." Hoda Kotb speaks onstage for CMT Coal Miner's Daughter: A Celebration of the Life & Music of Loretta Lynn at the Grand Ole Opry on October 30, 2022 in Nashville, Tennessee. Hoda Kotb speaks onstage for CMT Coal Miner's Daughter: A Celebration of the Life & Music of Loretta Lynn at the Grand Ole Opry on October 30, 2022 in Nashville, CMT What To Know On Wednesday's episode of Today, Hota Kotb announced the launch of her new wellness brand, Joy 101, while sharing an update on her youngest daughter. Savannah Guthrie began the conversation about Hope Kotb alongside Craig Melvin, noting that Hoda Kotb has "never been public" about her daughter's diagnosis. "So many nights Hoda would be up all night with Hope and then come in here with that smile on her face," Guthrie recalled, adding that during "every commercial break," she would "check in to make sure her levels" were where they should be. "I bore witness to that, and that is a burden to carry," the 53-year-old said. "But sweet Hope is doing so well." "She is and you were next to me through it all," Hoda Kotb responded. "You were in the hospital when it all happened, and I think you just get a priority check in your life." The Hope Is a Rainbow author continued: "As anyone with a child who has Type 1 (knows), especially a little kid, you're constantly watching, you're constantly monitoring, you're constantly checking, which is what I did all the time when I was (at Today). You're distracted." Hoda Kotb said her 6-year-old is "fine most of the days" but that there are "moments where you have to watch her." The broadcaster recalled "totaling up" these moments and said, "It's a half-hour." "For 23 and a half hours, she's every other kid. So I try to remember that." While sitting in the Today studio, Hoda Kotb said being with Guthrie and Melvin "feels like not a minute's passed." "And then I'm like, 'Wait, who's this guy sitting in my seat?'" she joked. "You guys together are totally crushing it, and it is beautiful to see." What People Are Saying The Today show posted a video of Hoda Kotb's return via Instagram: "We missed our morning Hoda hugs. She stopped by to catch up and chat about her new, exciting project, 'Joy 101!'" Instagram user @forverjess4 wrote in a comment underneath Today's post: "Miss her everyday." @luisrrosado1 said: "We love and miss Hoda!!" @tam_o_rama added: "I just love Hoda!" What Happens Next In a video posted to Joy 101's Instagram page, Hoda Kotb spoke out about her new venture. "Welcome to Joy 101, you made it! So happy that you're here," she said. "So now, guess what? We're together, it's all happening. You can go to the app store and pre-order the app, which will be amazing. You can join the mailing list. You can find all of the cool stuff that we have. It is going to be a great, fun world where we get to hang out."
Style Blueprint
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Style Blueprint
Happy 100th Birthday, Belcourt Theatre!
Move over, Grand Ole Opry, you're not the only Nashville icon hitting 100 this year. The Belcourt Theatre, the city's beloved indie cinema, has officially reached the century mark, and it's celebrating the only way it knows how: by rolling film. As part of its birthday festivities, the theater is hosting a special centennial series called 'Nashville: A City on Film,' a deep dive into how our city has appeared on the silver screen over the decades. (In other words, get ready to see Nashville play itself in a bunch of movies!) It all kicks off with the most meta choice possible: Robert Altman's 1975 classic Nashville. And to sweeten the opening weekend, actor Keith Carradine, who starred in the film and even won an Academy Award for the song he wrote and performed in it, will appear at the Belcourt in person on Sunday, June 1. Carradine's presence is a film buff's dream; after the screening, he'll share stories and answer audience questions about making the film. And that's just the beginning. 'Nashville: A City On Film' features eight films throughout June, each spotlighting different eras and corners of town, with more to be added as the celebration continues all year. The lineup ranges from a 1960s country-fried curio (Girl from Tobacco Row) and a 2000s concert documentary (Neil Young: Heart of Gold) to quirky indie fare like Harmony Korine's Gummo and the outrageous local musical satire Existo. There's also the '90s charmer The Thing Called Love (about aspiring songwriters in Nashville) and even the goofy Halloween romp Ernest Scared Stupid. In short, expect a little bit of everything – drama, music, comedy, and some weirdness – unified by one common show-stealer: the city of Nashville. Half the fun of this series is scanning the screen for familiar places. Altman's Nashville alone features a treasure trove of local spots, from the long-gone Opryland amusement park and the Exit/In to a climactic political rally at The Parthenon in Centennial Park. There's even a quick airport scene shot at Berry Field (known today as Nashville International Airport), which is sure to prompt some nostalgia. (Farewell, old BNA carpet!) The Thing Called Love (1993) offers its own sightseeing, as well as a much younger Sandra Bullock. Keep an eye out for Green Hills, the old Drake Motel on Murfreesboro Road, and a romantic moment on the then-Shelby Street Bridge downtown. But don't get too caught up in whether or not the scenes at Bluebird Café are legit. They were actually recreated on a Hollywood stage! Music history buffs will love Neil Young: Heart of Gold (2006), which captures an intimate performance at the Ryman Auditorium. You can practically feel the soul of the Mother Church in every frame. And for a lighter touch, Ernest Scared Stupid (1991) turns East Nashville's Five Points and Shelby Park into the backdrop for some slime-flinging, good-hearted Halloween mischief. There's nothing like seeing your neighborhood haunt pop up in a cult film to make a screening extra special. Of course, the Belcourt Theatre has plenty of its own history worth celebrating. It first opened its doors in 1925 as the Hillsboro Theatre, a silent movie house (complete with an orchestra pit for those pre-talkie flicks). In the 1930s, it even did a stint as an early stage for the Grand Ole Opry radio shows before the Opry moved on to bigger venues. Over the decades, the theater wore many hats, later hosting live plays as the Community Playhouse (home to groups like the Nashville Children's Theatre), then eventually transforming into the nonprofit art-house cinema cherished by Nashville film fans today. If those walls could talk, we have no doubt they'd have a century's worth of incredible stories. Now, at 100 years young, the Belcourt is proving that some classics never go out of style. This centennial film series isn't just a trip down memory lane; it's a chance for today's audiences to rediscover Nashville's cinematic moments and maybe learn something new about our hometown in the process. So, grab your popcorn (or perhaps a slice of birthday cake?), find a cozy seat, and enjoy the show. Happy birthday, Belcourt. See you at the movies! ********** Keep up with the best parts of life in Nashville and beyond. Subscribe to StyleBlueprint!
UPI
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- UPI
LGBTQ country stars still overlooked as Opry hits 100
May 27 (UPI) -- On March 15, 1974, the Grand Ole Opry country music radio show closed its run at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee, with Johnny and June Carter Cash leading the song "Will the Circle Be Unbroken." After that final show, a six-foot circle of wood was cut from the Ryman stage and moved to the new Grand Ole Opry House. The next night, Roy Acuff opened the first show at the new venue. A video of Acuff singing in the 1940s played before the screen lifted to reveal Acuff himself, singing live in the same spot. The message was clear: Though the stage had changed, the story continued. The circle had not been broken. The Opry began on WSM on Nov. 28, 1925, and is celebrating its centennial with a series of concerts and tributes under the name Opry 100. On March 19, 2025, Reba McEntire stepped onto the iconic circle on the Grand Ole Opry stage and kicked off NBC's Opry 100 celebration with a verse of "Sweet Dreams." The final song of the night was "Will the Circle Be Unbroken," performed by country legends like Bill Anderson and Jeannie Seely, alongside newcomers like Lainey Wilson and Post Malone. It was a moment meant to celebrate 100 years of country music tradition and connection with a stage full of voices harmonizing across generations. A circle, unbroken. But that night in March, one group of country performers was missing. Not a single openly gay, lesbian or bisexual artist appeared onstage during the anniversary celebration. In a moment designed to honor the full sweep of the genre's past and future, a long line of country musicians was left standing outside the spotlight once again. Wilma Burgess' sexuality was common knowledge in music industry circles in the 1960s and '70s. A slowly opening circle Country music has never been without queer voices, but it regularly refuses to acknowledge them. From 1962 to 1982, Wilma Burgess had 15 songs on Billboard's Hot Country chart and two Grammy Award nominations. She recorded with legendary producer Owen Bradley and had Top 10 hits like "Misty Blue." Despite this success, Burgess never played the Opry. Though Burgess was never publicly out, her sexuality was common knowledge in recording circles. In the 1980s, she left music and opened The Hitching Post, Nashville's first lesbian bar. Like so many queer country artists, Burgess had to build her legacy outside the circle. In the 1980s and 90s, k.d. lang and Sid Spencer expanded the presence of queer artists in country music. Lang won two Grammys and performed at the Opry, but she was labeled "cowpunk" and left the genre before coming out in 1992. Spencer released albums and toured widely within the gay rodeo circuit, but he was never recognized by mainstream country before his 1996 death from AIDS-related complications. The 2000s offered small openings. Mary Gauthier became the first openly queer artist to perform on the Opry stage in 2005. Chely Wright had a No. 1 country single before coming out in 2010, but didn't return to the Opry until 2019. Ty Herndon charted 17 singles before coming out in 2014. He wouldn't appear at the Opry again until 2023. These artists established themselves first and came out later, at great professional cost. The Opry hosts 5-6 shows a week, featuring 6-8 artists each night. In that context, a nine-year absence isn't just a scheduling gap. In addition, the Grand Ole Opry currently has 76 members, a special designation indicating a level of success in country music. None of them identify as LGBTQ+. Today, there are signs of change. Lily Rose, who has been openly queer since the beginning of her career, receives radio play, has songs on the charts and tours widely. But she remains the exception, not the rule. Other openly LGBTQ+ artists like Paisley Fields, Mya Byrne and Amythyst Kiah are recording, performing and building loyal audiences, but they are still rarely featured on country radio or invited onto the Opry stage. The circle may be widening, but for many queer artists, it's still just out of reach. The importance of the circle In country music, visibility isn't just symbolic. If you're not on the radio, you don't chart. If you don't chart, you don't tour. Without that platform, you can't build a legacy. Country radio and the Opry stage serve as gatekeepers of who counts. In 2015, a radio consultant infamously compared women artists to "tomatoes in the salad," stating a few were fine, but they shouldn't dominate. That same logic has long applied to queer artists; they can be tolerated at the edges but are rarely treated as essential. Genre labeling becomes another barrier. Brandi Carlile and Brandy Clark both openly identify as lesbians and have been embraced by country audiences and critics alike, but they are routinely categorized as Americana artists. That rebranding often functions as a fence that keeps artists close enough to celebrate, but far enough to exclude. Reimagining the circle The Opry's centennial celebrations are scheduled to continue through the end of 2025 with a concert at London's Royal Albert Hall and a final anniversary show in Nashville on Nov. 28. Perhaps openly queer artists will take the stage at those events. If they do, it won't just be symbolic; it will be a long overdue acknowledgment of artists who have always been here, even if they weren't always seen. Country music's strength lies in how it braids together American traditions: gospel and blues, Black and white, rural and urban, old and new. It's not a genre built on purity, but one that relies on the mix. That mix is what makes country music American - and what makes it endure. If the circle on the Opry stage is meant to stand for country music itself, then I hope it will be like the music: honest and able to grow. If "Will the Circle Be Unbroken" is more of a promise than just a closing number, the future of country music depends on who's allowed in the circle to sing it next. Tanya Olson is an associate teaching professor at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. The views and opinions in this commentary are solely those of the author.
Scottish Sun
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
When is The Grand Ole Opry 100 coming to London's Royal Albert Hall and how can you get tickets?
COUNTRY music fans are incredibly excited over the news that The Grand Ole Opry will be coming to London for its 100th anniversary. The iconic live country music radio broadcast - which is based out of Nashville but famous all around the world - will be broadcasting live from London, England for the first time ever, this September. Advertisement 9 The Grand Opry will celebrate its 100th year with a historic broadcast live from London's Royal Albert Hall Credit: Opry 9 The Grand Ole Opry is a prestigious country music broadcasting venue in the United States Credit: Alamy 9 The Royal Albert Hall will be rocking on September 26 Credit: Alamy Celebrating its 100th anniversary, the broadcast will be from London's Royal Albert Hall, with a star-studded line up. Country music icon Carly Pearce - who recently crooned a Christmas hit with Michael Buble - is headlining the show alongside several other huge names. She will perform on the bill with the likes of Luke Combs, Marty Stuart, Ashley McBryde, and Darius Rucker. The beloved country stars, who are all Opry members, will headline its first-ever live international broadcast from London's iconic Royal Albert Hall on Friday, September 26, 2025. Advertisement HOW TO GET TICKETS FOR OPRY 100 IN LONDON Tickets to the show will go on sale on Friday, May 23 at 10:00 a.m. BST via the Royal Albert Hall's website Not only will the event have a star-studded line up of country music icons, but Brits will be familiar with one of the hosts. BBC Radio 2 Presenter Vernon Kay and WSM Radio Personality and Grand Ole Opry Announcer Kelly Sutton are set to host the landmark broadcast. Colin Reed, the executive chairman of Grand Ole Opry parent company Ryman Hospitality Properties said of the event: "This milestone year for the Grand Ole Opry has arrived at the perfect time as country music enjoys an unprecedented rise in global popularity, especially here in the United Kingdom. Advertisement "Our first-ever broadcast outside of the United States will celebrate the influential music that has shaped this genre and pay tribute to the unique Opry show format that has entertained music lovers for 100 years. "With the help of some of our most treasured Opry members and some very special guests, we hope to give fans a taste of what goes on every week back in Nashville and inspire them to come visit the epicentre of country music." Maren Morris sets record straight after saying she is leaving 'toxic' country music HONOURING THE OPRY Wagon Wheel singer Darius Rucker said: "Being a member of the Grand Ole Opry is a great honour; it's always felt like the Opry was my home away from home. "To have the opportunity to bring such a big part of my musical roots to Royal Albert Hall is a full-circle moment for me while I work on a project with so many talented songwriters and producers based in London. Advertisement "I can't think of a better way to honour the Opry's global impact on country music as we share its magic with a new generation of fans." Reacting to the news of the Opry 100 show in London, one person said on Instagram: "Wow!! This is amazing lineup! So hoping to get tickets!!" 9 Carly Pearce is one of the headliners who will perform on the iconic night Credit: Getty 9 Luke Combs is another country crooner set to take to the stage on September 26 Credit: Getty Advertisement 9 Marty Stuart will also be rocking out with a packed audience Credit: Getty 9 Hitmaker Ashley McBryde - who has collaborated with Carly in the past - will also be taking to the stage Credit: AP 9 Darius Rucker is the final country crooner who is on the star-studded bill Credit: Getty Another said: "The excitement is real! We can't wait to welcome y'all to the UK." Advertisement While a third penned: "WHAT A CELEBRATION! GRAND OLE OPRY 100." HOW THE OPRY BEGAN The Grand Ole Opry is a legendary country music institution and a live radio broadcast and concert venue in Nashville, Tennessee. The Opry, which is world-renowned, is the world's longest-running radio show, originating in 1925. When it first came to be 100 years ago, it was called the WSM Barn Dance. Advertisement Two years later in 1927 it was renamed the Grand Ole Opry. The iconic venue is known for showcasing both country music legends and contemporary artists, along with bluegrass, Americana, folk, and gospel music.
