I wondered if they were going to check for country credentials. Certainly all the performers had been vetted.
There's still discussion of "What is country?" As if some people at the Grand Old Opry were unsure.
Country is huge and my recent visit to the Opry showed why. A best-in-class performance was delivered.
The arrangements were tight, the mixes were lush and the talent was at the highest level.
Eight artists played three songs each, backed by their own bands. Stage transitions were lightning-fast compared to rock.
A couple of veteran performers opened the show, followed by The Herculeons, comprised of individuals backing well-known names with a bluegrass tinge.
Hunter Hayes showed his guitar chops. He has a tenor that moves up (but not down) and his songs straddle country, pop and rock.
Morgan Evans is a magnetic performer, and I liked hearing him play because he uses chords that I would choose. He also represents the main trend in country that I loathe: the phony southern accent. Evans is from Australia.
The Whites were a group of Texas sisters with a bluegrass background.
Ian Munsick played the high lonesome accompanied by a fiddler. Ian is a competent finger picking guitarist but like Evans, he uses a phony accent. No one from Wyoming talks like that.
The Oak Ridge Boys closed the show. Bass singer Richard Sterban overcame health challenges to perform. The crowd sang along to Elvira.
I thought Redneck Girl was one of their songs but turns out it was done by The Bellamy Brothers. Shows you what I know about country.