As the Grand Ole Opry continues to celebrate its 100th anniversary, the esteemed Nashville institution will get a little help from the Hallmark Channel in marking the centennial.
A Grand Ole Opry Christmas, an original Hallmark movie starring network stars Nikki DeLoach and Kristoffer Polaha, will begin filming this month in Nashville and will air during the channel’s 16th annual Countdown to Christmas programming. The movie will include familiar Opry faces, including Brad Paisley, who will write original music for the movie. Paisley will also write and perform the theme for the Countdown to Christmas 2025 campaign.
The movie, whose specific air date has not been announced, involves a little time traveling: DeLoach will play the daughter of a late country music icon who gave up her own dreams of being a country songwriter following a tragic accident 30 years ago. After she agrees to represent her father at an Opry celebration, she is transported back to 1995 and reunited with an artist manager played by Polaha, as well as with her father before his untimely death.
“Our goal in this milestone year is to put the Opry, its artists and the rich songwriting traditions that have made country music a global sensation in front of more people than ever before,” said Colin Reed, executive chairman of Ryman Hospitality Properties, the Opry’s parent company, in a statement. “Our partnership with Hallmark brings these elements to life this holiday season through a creative and uplifting take on a uniquely Nashville story.”
“This is the perfect time for us to partner with this beloved, iconic American institution and create Christmas magic together,” added Darren Abbott, Hallmark’s chief brand officer. “Nikki and Kris are fan favorites, and we know they will beautifully bring to life this emotional and heartfelt story that is sure to become an instant classic.”
Paisley also weighed in, adding, “The Hallmark Channel to me is a major part of finding the joy and the spirit of the holidays. We turn it on and leave it on in our house like Christmas tree lights or decorations, it’s a major part of the atmosphere for us. I loved the challenge of creating that same magic with this music by letting it take you to the same place that these movies and this world Hallmark has built. Can’t wait for you to hear what all we’ve done. Also, knowing the Opry is the setting for one of these movies is very inspiring.”
A special line of Hallmark and Opry co-branded merchandise, including greeting cards, apparel, accessories, jewelry and gifts, will also be created to tie in with movie and will be available online at Hallmark.com and Shop.Opry.com, as well as in their physical stores.
