Tucker rides horse onto Opry stage
Tanya Tucker made Grand Ole Opry history tonight (Fri, June 2nd) when she rode a horse onto the Opry stage after having been introduced to the Opry audience. Opry historians believe it’s the first time a horse has been ridden on stage during an Opry broadcast in the show’s 97-year history. Tucker, celebrating the release of her new album Sweet Western Sound, went on to perform “Kindness,” “The List” and “When The Rodeo Is Over” from the new album as well as her hits “Delta Dawn,” “Texas When I Die,” and “Strong Enough To Bend,” on which she was joined by Dailey & Vincent and Pam Tillis. The historical Opry moment and performance, which brought the Opry crowd to its feet, was live streamed to Times Square in New York City.
On the project, the 2023 Country Music Hall of Fame inductee has once again teamed with producers Brandi Carlile and Shooter Jennings, who co-produced 2019’s While I’m Livin’.
Her first new album in 17 years, While I’m Livin’ reintroduced Tucker to a new generation and went on to win two Grammys. Sweet Western Sound stands on Tucker’s exquisitely warm and wizened vocals and a spectacular collection of cut-deep songs—an assertive and confident declaration of vitality and purpose from an irrepressible and irreplaceable music icon. In addition to songs by Tucker, Carlile and Jennings, the album features contributions from Bernie Taupin, Phil and Tim Hanseroth, JT Nero, Billy Don Burns, and Craig Dillingham as well as a voicemail-generated rhyme from Tanya’s hero and close friend, the late Billy Joe Shaver, which opens and closes the album.
Tucker will celebrate the album with a two night headlining stand at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium on June 3-4.
In October 2022, The Return of Tanya Tucker featuring Brandi Carlile, a documentary that chronicles the resurgence in Tucker’s career following the success of While I’m Livin’ hit theaters globally via Sony Pictures Classics. A full length documentary, Delta Dawn, Then and Now: The Return of Tanya Tucker, is set to for release soon.
In December 2022, Tucker made her acting debut in a lead role in Paramount’s A Nashville Country Christmas, starring alongside Academy Award winner Keith Carradine.
