She was among several artists celebrating Ronnie Milsap during his 50th anniversary as a member of the Grand Ole Opry.
Country music icon Ronnie Milsap marked an extraordinary milestone on Tuesday in Nashville, Tennessee, celebrating 50 years as a member of the Grand Ole Opry. The special evening featured performances from multiple artists, including rising country star Ella Langley.
Langley, 26, paid tribute to the 83-year-old legend by performing two of his beloved hits, “It Was Almost Like a Song” and “I Wouldn’t Have Missed It for the World,” honoring the music that helped define an era of country music.
Following the performance, Langley shared her excitement on Instagram alongside a clip of her singing Milsap’s 1981 ballad “I Wouldn’t Have Missed It for the World.” She wrote, “Tonight I got to honor one of my very favorites with one of my favorite songs to sing at one of my favorite places to play music.”
“It Was Almost Like a Song,” one of Milsap’s signature recordings, was originally released in 1977 and remains one of his most recognizable classics.
An All-Star Celebration
Langley joined an impressive lineup of artists honoring Milsap’s legacy, including Trace Adkins, Vince Gill, Blake Shelton, Mark Wills, and Keith Urban, each performing songs from Milsap’s celebrated catalog.
Milsap himself later took the stage, sharing heartfelt remarks before performing “Smoky Mountain Rain” and “Snap Your Fingers” alongside the Tennessee School for the Blind Jazz Band.
Milsap Reflects on His Opry Journey
Addressing the crowd, Milsap spoke about his lifelong connection to the Opry.
“What an honor it is to be here tonight and to be part of the Grand Ole Opry. I grew up in western North Carolina listening to the Opry on a battery-powered Philco radio,” he said. “So many artists have stood here singing songs dear to me, and I thank them all.”
Nearly blind since birth, Milsap built a remarkable career that spanned multiple genres, with his greatest commercial success arriving in the 1970s and 1980s. A six-time Grammy Award winner, he has recorded more than 35 No. 1 hits, including “Smoky Mountain Rain,” “Stranger in My House,” and “Any Day Now.” His lasting impact earned him a place on Billboard’s list of the 100 Greatest Country Artists of All Time.
Beyond the anniversary celebration, the Grand Ole Opry also introduced its 2026 Opry NextStage class, presented by Tecovas, spotlighting emerging artists such as Willow Avalon, Graham Barham, Tyler Braden, Carter Faith, Alexandra Kay, Vincent Mason, Emily Ann Roberts, Hudson Westbrook, and Jake Worthington.