the grand ole opry
BOBBY JUST
Bobby Bare was the first American superstar to visit Norsk Countrytreff and is the American artist who has visited the festival the most times. He made his debut at NCT in 1995, but returned in both 2006 and 2012 to play for us.
Bobby Bare was already part of The Grand Ole Opry family in the 60s and 70s, but after Bobby took a harrowing settlement with, among others, Chet Atkins and RCA, and thus effectively started the Outlaw wave in the 70s, He slipped right out of his membership.
In 2018, on Bobby's 83rd birthday, Garth Brooks on behalf of The Grand Ole Opry invited Bobby Bare back - and Bobby Bare was once again a member of the Opry family.
VINCE GILL
Vince has visited Norsk Countrytreff once, back in 2012. One of country music's best guitarists, a rare songwriter and still the artist with the most Country Music Association Awards.
Vince Gill was inducted into the Opry family in 1991, based on the unique musical gift he has brought to country music, as well as the amazing ability to be both traditional and exploratory in his approach to the genre.
We are very proud to have had Vince Gill at Norsk Countrytreff!
EMMYLOU HARRIS
Emmylou Harris came across the Atlantic on an errand to do a concert in Europe in 2019, and it was at Norsk Countrytreff. Emmylou had some great years with Gram Parsons, who served as both mentor and vocal partner to the young Harris - and after his death, Harris developed her music as she thought Parsons would have wanted.
Emmylou joined the Opry family as early as 1992, and has no less than 10 Gold Albums and 12 Grammys. She has also received Billboard Magazine's highest distinction - the Century Award.
PATTY LOVELESS
Patty Loveless visited Norsk Countrytreff in 2010, by which time she had established herself as one of the truly great female artists. Patty started her Opry career at the age of 14, when she participated as a guest of Dolly Parton and Porter Wagoner. Later she was invited to join a traveling Opry show, where she sang with the Wilburn Brothers, among others. She quickly became Wilburn's regular vocalist, before going solo in the mid-80s.
Patty Loveless joined the Opry family as early as 1988, at the age of 31. With CMA Album of The Year in 1995 and a long string of hits throughout her career, Loveless has earned her place in the Opry family.
RICKY SKAGGS
Ricky Skaggs visited Norsk Countrytreff in 2005, and was then classified as “the center of American country”. There are not a few American Artists who have experienced the quality of this multi-instrumentalist, and Chet Atkins once stated that “Ricky Skaggs single-handedly saved country music.” Skaggs plays mandolin, banjo and guitar, in addition to being a producer, songwriter and artist.
Ricky Skaggs joined the Opry family in 1982, just one year after he took the step from sidekick to center stage as a solo artist. With 8 CMA awards, he has also been named one of the Top 20 Artists of the Century.
MARTY STUART
Marty Stuart visited Norsk Countrytreff in 2002, and was a name that truly struck between mountains and valleys. Stuart's love of country music has allowed him to shine in many different arenas, both as a musician and as a producer for himself - and others. And as a genre-crossing artist, he was also inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Marty Stuart was invited into the Opry family in 1992, and the wardrobe he took over had belonged to Artists like Ernest Tubb and The Texas Troubadours, Marty Robbins and Porter Wagoner from before. Stuart, who started out as a musician first with Lester Flatts, and then with Johnny Cash, went solo in the 80s and had the world at his feet.
PAM TILLIS
Pam Tillis came across the pond to Norsk Countrytreff in 2007, bringing with her nearly 20 Top 10 hits and 6 singles that reached #1 on the charts. With 3 CMA Awards and 2 Grammys, it was an experienced and well-established star who took the stage at the festival this summer day.
Pam Tillis was invited into the Opry family by Little Jimmy Dickens in 2000, and needed no time to think about accepting the invitation. And even though Pam was the daughter of Mel Tillis, it was her own musical qualities that earned her a place in the musical family. She also participated in The First All-Female Country Tour, with Carlene Carter and Lorrie Morgan.
THE WHITES
The Whites came over to Norsk Countrytreff in 2008, but were perhaps overshadowed by Lynn Anderson this year. But The Whites aren't just anyone in the American music scene, and especially not around the Grand Ole Opry. Dad Buck started out as a musician for Hank Snow and Ernest Tubb, while daughters Cheryl, Sharon and Rosie joined in as they got older.
The Whites were invited into the Opry family in 1984, and still play regularly at The Grand Ole Opry. In 2000, The Whites also participated in the film "O brother where art thou", where they performed The Carter Family's classic "Keep on the sunny side".
RHONDA VINCENT
In 2015, Rhonda Vincent came over to Breim and Norsk Countrytreff , and by then she could boast over 40 years as an artist on the American country and bluegrass scene. She started playing drums at the age of 5, but at 8 she switched to mandolin - before taking up fiddle at 10. She participated in The Opry with Jim Ed Brown, and after this she was secured a recording contract.
Rhonda Vincent was invited into the Opry family in 2022, after securing 7 Female Vocalist of The Year awards within Bluegrass, as well as Entertainer of the Year in 2001.
Rhonda Vincent also collaborated with Gene Watson, another member of the Opry family.
GENE WATSON
Gene Watson joined us in 2013, but it was by chance that Gene got into music. He grew up in a poor family in Palestine, Texas - and was working with cars in Houston when he was invited by The Wilburn Brothers to Nashville to perform at The Grand Ole Opry. Watson performed Hank Williams' "I can't help it if I'm still in love with you", and received a standing ovation afterwards. He eventually joined the Ernest Tubb Record Shop, where he was broadcast on The Midnight Jamboree.
Gene Watson was inducted into the Opry family in 2020, having stood traditional and strong in country music since 1962. He has inspired Artists like Brad Paisley, Alan Jackson and Vince Gill, and shows that sometimes something random can be really good.
JOSH TURNER
In 2023, Josh Turner came over to Breim and Norsk Countrytreff to do his first job in Scandinavia ever. Joshua Otis “Josh” Turner started his career in 2001, and had his breakthrough in 2003 with the song and album “Long Black Train”. His first #1 hits came with the album “Your Man” in 2005 - with “Would You Go With Me” and the title track from the album; “Your Man” .
Josh Turner was inducted into the Opry family back in 2007, just 6 years after his debut, cementing his status as one of the greatest country artists of all time. His deep baritone voice is his trademark, and you don't have to listen to many seconds of a song to conclude that it IS Josh Turner actually singing.