Bill Anderson Celebrates 50 Years With The Grand Ole Opry

Bill Anderson was just 20 years old when he made his debut at the Grand Ole Opry. He became a member less than three years later, and this year celebrates his 50th anniversary as part of the organization. As one of its longest tenured members, the Opry will host a concert in his honor this Saturday, July 16, at 7 p.m. 

 

Bill has had a long and successful career in both songwriting and performing. “Beginning with classics sung by Ray Price, Lefty Frizzell, Connie Smith and more, and continuing today with unforgettable hits by the biggest names in the business, Bill Anderson tunes have hit the country charts in each of the last seven decades,” said Pete Fisher, Opry vice president and general manager. “Of course, Bill is also known around the world for his own hit records as well as for blazing country music trails far and wide for others to follow. We look forward to celebrating with one of country music’s very best Saturday night.”

 

Some of his most well-known songwriting hits include his debut song, Ray Price’s “City Lights,”; Connie Smith’s, “Once a Day,”; Conway Twitty’s, “I May Never Get to Heaven,”; Kenny Chesney’s, “A Lot of Things Different,”; and the two songs that won CMA Song of the Year: George Strait’s, “Give it Away,” and Brad Paisley and Allison Krauss', “Whiskey Lullaby.”