John Anderson Remembered With Powerful Tribute At Grand Ole Opry
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The Grand Ole Opry hosted a show in honor of the 60th anniversary of the CMA Awards on Sunday night (Nov. 8) and included a tribute to the late John Anderson.
The two-hour Opry show focused on CMA-winning artists and songs from 1974 to 2004, the years that the CMA Awards were held at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville.
An all-star lineup revisited some of the biggest moments in CMA Awards history.
Vince Gill kicked off the show with a performance of his hit song “One More Last Chance.” Gill has earned 18 CMA Awards, including the coveted Entertainer of the Year honors in 1993 and 1994.
Mark Wills followed with a tribute to 1977 CMA Entertainer of the Year Ronnie Milsap, followed by a medley of hits from 1983 Entertainer of the Year, Vocal Group of the Year, and Album of the Year winners Alabama.
7-time CMA Award nominee Deana Carter took the stage to perform some of her biggest hits, including her 1997 CMA Single of the Year-winning song “Strawberry Wine.”
Crystal Gayle, two-time CMA Female Vocalist of the Year (1997 and 1978), wowed the Opry audience with covers of songs from Country Music Hall of Famers Eddy Arnold and Marty Robbins before singing her own signature song, “Don’t It Make Your Brown Eyes Blue.”
Country Music Association CEO Sarah Trahern honored the late Bill Cody by presenting his family with the 2026 Media Achievement Award.
Jamey Johnson had the honor of recognizing past CMA Award Song of the Year winners. He gave brief recognition to George Jones’ “He Stopped Loving Her Today,” and Kenny Rogers‘ “The Gambler,” before launching into a full cover of “Sunday Mornin’ Comin’ Down” by Kris Kristofferson.
Johnson then honored Vince Gill, the only artist to have earned the Song of the Year trophy three consecutive years, with a cover of “When I Call Your Name.” Jamey then played “In Color,” the song that earned him Song of the Year honors in 2009.
Lorrie Morgan, who has won two CMA Awards, kicked off the second half of the show with a performance of her 1992 hit song, “Watch Me” and a beautiful cover of her late husband Keith Whitley’s hit song “Don’t Close Your Eyes.”
Ketch Secor and Molly Tuttle paid tribute to Dolly Parton and Porter Wagoner, Vocal Duo of the Year winners (1970 and 1971) with a performance of “Just Someone I Used To Know.” Ketch and Molly, who recently married, remembered the 2001 Album of the Year winner, “O Brother, Where Art Thou?,” with the gospel classic “I’ll Fly Away” from its soundtrack.
John Anderson Tribute Highlight Of Grand Ole Opry CMA Awards Celebration
A focal point of the night was a touching tribute to John Anderson. The “Seminole Wind” singer was never an Opry member, but played the hallowed venue numerous times throughout his career. Anderson was scheduled to be a part of the CMA anniversary special on the Opry, but passed away on October 21 at the age of 71.
RELATED: HOW JOHN ANDERSON HELPED BUILD THE OPRY BEFORE HE EVER PLAYED THERE
Anderson won three CMA Awards during his career, including the Horizon Award and Single of the Year for “Swingin'” in 1983.
Ketch Secor and Molly Tuttle returned to the stage to sing John Anderson’s “Seminole Wind” after Anderson’s longtime friend, John Conlee, honored him by recalling their friendship.
@countryrebel @MollyTuttle ♬ original sound – countryrebel
Conlee remembered Anderson as a “very kind and generous man.” He shared a story about a time John Anderson allowed Conlee to use his tour bus free of charge and without any strings attached.
“My bus was down, and I could not make the trip,” he said, adding that John granted permission for Conlee to use one of his buses. “Normally when somebody lends you a bus they insist that their driver go with it to watch over things … and they charge you to lease it for however many days.”
He added, “But not John. He basically handed me the keys to the bus and let me do with it as I would. And then refused to take money when I got back home.”
Jamey Johnson then had the honor of performing Anderson’s “Swingin'” for the Opry crowd. See a clip of his performance in the video below.
