The Grand Ole Opry Grand Ole Reopening

The Grand Ole Opry raised the curtain on its historic first show back at the Grand Ole Opry House last night to reveal the silhouettes of nine-year Opry member Brad Paisley and 61-year Opry veteran Jimmy Dickens center stage on the renowned circle of wood from the Ryman Auditorium.

Paisley began singing the standard "Will the Circle be Unbroken," with Dickens joining in on the chorus as cast members began to join them on stage singing along. Fans acknowledged the moment with an extended standing ovation as the artists celebrated the resilience of the Opry and the love and loyalty of Opry fans.

The Opry had been displaced from the Opry House by last May's flood, broadcasting throughout the summer from other Nashville venues without missing a single broadcast. The historic circle on which Paisley and Dickens opened the show has welcomed generations of performers, but was covered by 46 inches of water during the flood. It has been painstakingly refurbished and had been returned to its rightful spot center stage last month.

The night will go down in history for more than one reason, as during the show country star Blake Shelton received the invitation of a lifetime--to become an official Opry member. After he and Opry member Trace Adkins performed their award-winning No. 1 hit "Hillbilly Bone," Adkins acknowledged Shelton's heavy activity on Twitter and shared with Shelton a Twitter message inviting him to join the Opry family.