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Calgary Herald

Preview: Grandstand 2025 show aims to replicate the country Opry, with a little adrenaline thrown in

According to producer Mark Eriksen, this year's Grandstand Show could be called the Grand New Opry. Article content 'It will have all the glamour and high-energy of the Grand Ole Opry, but it will be Calgary style. It will bring elevated country flare to the Stampede's legendary stage, and it's packed with awe-inspiring performances and jaw-dropping stunts,' says Eriksen, who has produced the Grandstand Show for the past five years. Article content Article content This is one of the reasons Eriksen wanted country star Carolyn Dawn Johnson to headline Grandstand 2025. Article content Article content 'Carolyn has performed at the Grand Ole Opry, she's Albertan, and she's earned 17 Canadian Country Music Awards. There is no one better to headline our version of the Grand Ole Opry.' Article content Though Johnson has performed at Nashville North, this is her first time with the Grandstand Show. Her dreams of performing at the Stampede go back to when she was a teenager. Article content 'Back in 1988, a friend of mine and I created a mock duo of the Judds for the Stampede talent contest. We didn't win, but it showed that I always wanted to perform at the Stampede. I've lived in Nashville for quite a while, so it is always a thrill to come back to Alberta, and the Stampede is such a big deal. I've heard about it all my life,' says Johnson. Article content Her catalogue of songs stretches some 25 years, and she has plenty of new material, but she says her fans are coming to hear her vintage hits, so that's what she is going to give them in her set early in the show. That means she will be performing songs like Complicated, Die of a Broken Heart and Georgia. Article content Article content 'I want to do songs that people can sing along to, I want them to sing along to. I don't want them to just sit there and listen. I want them to be on their feet if that's how they want to join in.' Article content Johnson will also join the Young Canadians for These Boots Are Made for Walking, which will be accompanied by one of this year's drone extravaganzas. Article content 'It really is an adrenaline rush to start our show with. Audiences love these daredevils, and this year they are even going to jump a quad. Their number is called Thunder Struck. The audience is going to be sweating in the first few minutes of the show,' promises Eriksen. Article content Following the motorcycle act is Wild Wild West, the first number of The Young Canadians in their 57th year with the Grandstand Show.