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Canada's Anne Murray Is Hailed As a Queen of Country in Nashville
On Monday October 27, 2025 a star-studded lineup paid tribute to Anne Murray at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee. Anne is a Canadian singer who is well-loved in the worlds of adult contemporary, country and pop music. She is an award-winning artist who has four Grammys, 26 Juno Awards and more to her credit. Murray retired in 2008 having encouraged many during her 40 plus years in the music industry to follow in her footsteps.
An All-Star Tribute to Anne Murray was held at the Opry House on October 27, 2025 in Nashville. The evening featured performances by Trisha Yearwood, Martina McBride, k.d. lang, Kathy Mattea, Lorrie Morgan, Pam Tillis, The Gatlin Brothers, Natalie Grant, Michelle Wright, Shenandoah, Collin Raye and Victoria Shaw along with special appearances by Randy Travis, Barry Trotz and Straight No Chaser. All the artists were supported by Sixwire - a well-respected band from Nashville. The group's name references the six strings on a guitar. They recorded one album in 2002, and charted two singles on the Country Billboard including "Look at Me Now". They have appeared on a number of TV programs and we have seen Sixwire plenty of times in the role of house band - and, as usual - they were very much up to the task at hand on this night.
k.d. lang, Natalie Grant and Larry Gatlin were featured performers at the star-studded affair. Before the concert, Anne's music was piped in. Then - like the country music royalty she was presented as on this evening - Murray herself was escorted to her seat near the front of the venue as the crowd went crazy. By the cheers in the crowd at the nearly sold-out Opry House we were given the impression that a lot of folks from Canada had travelled to Tennessee for this tribute. Next, Collin Raye kicked off the festivities with a delightful version of "Daydream Believer". Music was mixed in with commentary and videos from the likes of Reba McEntire and Blake Shelton declaring that Anne was his favorite artist. Many of the evening's entertainers shared how Murray inspired them or how fortunate some songwriters were that Anne covered their songs. As we listened we realized how many of them were real heartbreakers. Natalie Grant tackling "How Great Thou Art" was one of a number of artists who received a standing ovation in a presentation filled with high caliber performances.
Pam Tillis, Lorrie Morgan, Kathy Mattea, Marty Raybon of Shenandoah, Barry Trotz, Collin Raye, Hugh Howser and Martina McBride in Nashville. Michelle Wright mentioned that she was from a small town in Canada and it was Murray who motivated her to dream big and it does not get much bigger than singing "Snowbird" at the Opry. That single was certified RIAA gold and was the first American Gold record ever awarded to a Canadian solo female artist so Anne paved the way for others from the Great White North. Later, k.d. lang echoed a similar sentiment. Nancy Jones (widow of George Jones) said that her husband called Anne the "golden voice" and he loved Canada. She closed her remarks stating that Murray should be in the Country Music Hall of Fame and Nancy was not the first person to say that during the night. The tribute concluded with everyone coming out to sing "Nobody Loves Me Like You Do" to end a great night of music on a high note before the audience was asked to remain seated as Murray exited with an escort just as she arrived two hours earlier. Monday was a celebration of the achievements of Anne Murray. However, the Opry has been in party mode for 2025 as they commemorate 100 years of live broadcasts. The Grand Ole Opry is the longest running radio program and every show is different whether it be a tribute night or the traditional format featuring Opry legends along with emerging artists. Please visit the Opry website for a full list of events.
Straight No Chaser, Randy and Mary Travis, and Sixwire all added to the excitement of the evening. Related Links: For more information on ANNE MURRAY and the other organizations mentioned please visit the following links - Anne Murray | Opry.com
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