The Grand Ole Opry officially reached its 100th anniversary, and the historic milestone was marked with a special broadcast that brought together more than two dozen country music greats to honor the legends who built the genre.
The celebration took place on November 28 — the Opry’s official birthday — and while not everyone was able to watch live, the Opry has been rolling out standout moments from the night across social media so fans can relive it.
One of the most powerful clips shared so far features a massive group performance of Who’s Gonna Fill Their Shoes, originally recorded by George Jones. The moment brought together longtime Opry members and newer artists, all joining voices in tribute.
The song, written by Troy Seals and Max D. Barnes, was released in June 1985 as the title track of Jones’ album of the same name. In it, Jones famously name-checks icons like Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, and Conway Twitty, questioning how anyone could ever live up to their influence.
Leading the tribute front and center were Scotty McCreery, Mandy Barnett, T. Graham Brown, and Mark Wills. Each artist stepped forward to deliver a solo verse, while a full chorus of Opry legends joined in behind them.
Among those adding their voices were longtime members Vince Gill, Bill Anderson, Ricky Skaggs, and many others — turning the performance into a living snapshot of country music history.
After the final note, Scotty McCreery addressed the crowd with heartfelt words about the song’s meaning and legacy.
He noted that “Who’s Gonna Fill Their Shoes” was released 40 years ago and has remained a cornerstone of country music ever since, adding that it played a significant role in his own Opry induction. Reflecting on the question the song poses, McCreery said it’s one that weighs heavily on anyone who loves country music or the Opry.
His answer was simple and profound: no one can truly fill those shoes. The artists honored were too unique, too influential, and too deeply loved for anyone to ever replace them.
You can watch more than 25 Opry members come together for this unforgettable performance of “Who’s Gonna Fill Their Shoes” in the video below.