Premieres Saturday, November 29 (8:00 p.m. ET/PT) and streaming next day on Hallmark+
Stars: Nikki Deloach (Curious Caterer Mysteries), Kristoffer Polaha (A Biltmore Christmas), Rob Mayes (Lioness), Eliza Maher (Haul Out the Holly: Lit Up), Luke Benward (Miss Valentine), Sharon Lawrence (Joe Pickett), James Denton (Desperate Housewives)
Gentry Wade (Nikki DeLoach), daughter of late country music icon Jett Wade (Mayes) – half of the famed duo Winters & Wade – abandoned her dream of a songwriting career and distanced herself from her father’s legacy following his tragic accident 30 years prior. When the Grand Ole Opry invites her to represent Jett at their centennial celebration at Christmas, she’s hesitant to return to the place steeped in bittersweet memories. Encouraged by her good friends, Gentry visits the Opry and, while seated in one of the vaunted venue’s oak church pews, is suddenly transported to 1995. Gentry’s lifelong friend Mac (Kristoffer Polaha) a country music talent manager, finds himself in 1995 as well. Thanks to some Christmas magic, Gentry gets precious time with her father, creative inspiration to finish the song she began decades earlier as a teen and learns surprising answers to questions about her father that have followed her for the last three decades.
If you are missing a loved one this Christmas, this movie is for you. Full of hope, dreams, magic and music…country music! With so much doubt and a little depression that I have been experiencing, these Hallmark movies have been an inspiration to me, particularly this one about the Grand Ole Opry. It brought back so many wonderful memories of all the times I have been to a show at the Grand Ole Opry and for the last two years in June, I was able to experience it from backstage and entering through the artist entrance, what a dream come true thanks to a special PR person by the name of Bev Moser. So seeing this new Christmas movie made it much memorable for me.
True love at Christmas time is magical and you will see that here. A father and daughter story will find you wanting to hug your dad and if he is in Heaven, like mine, then bring out that favorite photo of the two of you and honor his memory while watching this movie. You will be reminded that the Opry is family and you will enjoy the opening scenes with footage of the Grand Ole Opry Christmas Live shows of the past and Brad Paisley’s Christmas song. That was awesome to see and hear. Brad Paisley wrote and performed original music for this film. The Opry is celebrating it’s 100 year anniversary and there is a special show on Friday, November 26 you can catch on SiriusXM Radio at Willie’s Roadhouse, Channel 61.
Once again the casting of Nikki Deloach and Kristoffer Polaha will fill your heart with love, dreams and a little Christmas and Opry magic. Nikki has a beautiful voice and sure represented her country roots and portrayal of Gentry. Kristoffer Polaha aka Mac also did a fabulous job in this movie and looks great in all those western outfits as did Nikki. Bravo you two!
I have to say that James Dutton looks marvelous in a cowboy hat and Sharon Lawrence looks beautiful in fringe. I loved the scene where Sharon’s character Rita tells the story of the round circle on stage at the Grand Ole Opry. You will have to look for that to find out the history. Cool story indeed.
Many other characters to enjoy in this film and especially many true country artist performing onstage and we get a glimpse of T. Graham Brown, who I just happened to interview this week and he told me about his role and it was great to see him in this movie. What would a Grand Ole Opry movie be without an appearance by the one and only longest living member with 64 years, Bill Anderson. Way to go Hallmark for keeping it all country.
All you country music fans out there will love this movie, so tell your country and Hallmark watcher friends and family members all about this upcoming Hallmark’s Countdown to Christmas movie A Grand Ole Opry Christmas this Saturday, November 29 (8:00 p.m. ET/PT) and streaming next day on Hallmark+
The best ending ever, kissing and snow. Don’t forget the Kleenex.
I have to say after watching this amazing movie, I can’t wait to go back to the Opry and sit on the pews on the stage!
Cameos by: Bill Anderson, Brad Paisley, Dailey & Vincent, Drew Baldridge, Jamey Johnson, Maggie Baugh, Megan Moroney, Mickey Guyton, Pam Tillis, Rhett Akins, Riders in the Sky, Suzy Bogguss, Tigirlily Gold, T Graham Brown
