Brad Paisley is carving time out of his already busy schedule to write and perform music for the upcoming Hallmark movie A Grand Ole Opry Christmas, and the latest cast announcement is making this film "must-see TV" for country music fans.
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What Is "A Grand Ole Opry Christmas" About?
According to a press release on the Hallmark Channel's website, A Grand Ole Opry Christmas centers around Gentry Woods (Nikki DeLoach), daughter of late country music icon Jett Woods, half of the famed duo Winter and Woods. She abandoned her dream of a songwriting career and distanced herself from her father's legacy following his tragic car accident 30 years prior.
When the Grand Ole Opry invites her to represent Jett at its centennial celebration at Christmas, she's hesitant to return to the place steeped in bittersweet memories. Encouraged by her good friends, Gentry visits the Opry and, while seated in one of the vaunted venue's oak church pews, is suddenly transported to 1995.
Gentry's lifelong friend, Mac (Kristoffer Polaha), a country music talent manager, also finds himself in 1995. Thanks to some Christmas magic, Gentry gets precious time with her father, creative inspiration to finish the song she began decades earlier as a teen, and learns surprising answers to questions about her father that have followed her for the last three decades.
Besides Brad Paisley, Who Is Appearing in the Movie?
Hallmark Channel's official PR social media account announced 12 other country music stars slated to appear with Brad Paisley. This list definitely has some cross-generational appeal, making this the perfect movie for everyone to watch during your holiday break.
The lineup includes Bill Anderson, Rhett Akins, Megan Moroney, Jamey Johnson, bluegrass stars Dailey & Vincent, Drew Baldridge, Maggie Baugh, Suzy Bogguss, Mickey Guyton, and Pam Tillis. The groups Riders in the Sky and Tigirlily Gold will make cameos.
It sounds like Paisley is proud to be part of the festivities. He's even writing the channel's Countdown to Christmas campaign anthem this year.
"The Hallmark Channel to me is a major part of finding the joy and the spirit of the holidays," said Paisley in a statement. "We turn it on and leave it on in our house like Christmas tree lights or decorations, it's a major part of the atmosphere for us. I loved the challenge of creating that same magic with this music by letting it take you to the same place that these movies and this world Hallmark has built. Can't wait for you to hear what all we've done. Also, knowing the Opry is the setting for one of these movies is very inspiring."
