On Tuesday, February 24th, the Grand Ole Opry welcomed an all-star lineup to honor Ronnie Milsap on the 50th anniversary of his Opry membership.
Milsap was first inducted on February 6, 1976, at just 33 years old — the same year he released his debut album. Over the decades, he has remained a cornerstone of the Opry, performing countless times and cementing his legacy as one of country music’s most influential artists. The Opry also hosted a special celebration in 2023 for his 80th birthday.
Known for bridging the gap between country and pop, the “Smoky Mountain Rain” singer became one of the most successful crossover artists of his era. He has earned six GRAMMY Awards and more than 35 No. 1 hits, making him a true icon of American music.
The 50th-anniversary celebration featured performances by Blake Shelton, Trace Adkins, Vince Gill, Ella Langley, Keith Urban, and Mark Wills, with Milsap himself in attendance.
Ella Langley Honors Milsap With Two Classic Covers
During the special evening, Ella Langley took the stage with an acoustic guitar to perform a heartfelt rendition of “I Wouldn’t Have Missed It For The World.” Originally released on Milsap’s 1981 album There’s No Gettin’ Over Me, the song and album both reached #1. Sharing a clip of the performance on social media, Langley 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.”
Langley also joined the Opry house band for a performance of “It Was Almost Like A Song,” the title track of Milsap’s 1977 album. The song has since become one of the defining hits of his career.
The night celebrated not only Milsap’s enduring influence on country music but also the ongoing tradition of artists passing the torch to new generations at the Grand Ole Opry.