The Grand Ole Opry® presented by Humana® will throw an 80th birthday party for one of country music’s all-time most renowned voices, Grand Ole Opry star and Country Music Hall of Famer George Jones, during the Tuesday Night Opry Sept. 13. Among those scheduled to participate in the birthday festivities are Opry members Alan Jackson, Montgomery Gentry, Joe Diffie, Pam Tillis, and Oak Ridge Boys plus special guests Jamey Johnson, Blackberry Smoke, and Eric Lee Beddingfield.

Jones, who will turn 80 on Sept. 12, became a Grand Ole Opry member 55 years ago. His classics have stood the test of time, to say the least, including his first hit in 1955, “Why, Baby, Why,” “White Lightnin’,” “She Thinks I Still Care,” “The Grand Tour,” and “He Stopped Loving Her Today,” just to name a few.

Fans can take part in the birthday celebration by entering the Opry’s Birthday Bash Dessert Contest. To enter, fans visit the Opry on Facebook, submit their best original dessert recipe, and share with friends to get them to vote. The top three recipes will be prepared by a professional chef and judged by Jones on the night of his Opry party. One grand prize winner will receive a trip to the Opry’s Birthday Bash in October and a chance to have their dessert featured on the menu at the new Opry Backstage Grill.

The Grand Ole Opry® is presented by Humana®. Opry performances are held every weekend of the year and on Tuesdays through Dec. 13. To plan an Opry visit, call (800) SEE-OPRY or visit opry.com.

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