Opry Member Martina McBride To “Flip The Switch” On The Opry’s Signature Barn As “Opry Goes Pink” In Support Of The Fight Against Breast Cancer

NASHVILLE, Tenn.  (Sept. 8, 2011)  The Grand Ole Opry_® is joining Women Rock For The Cure™ in the fight against breast cancer on Sat., Oct. 22 with its third annual “Opry Goes Pink” show. Opry member Martina McBride, whose current single “I’m Gonna Love You Through It” offers hope to those affected by cancer, will flip the switch on the Opry’s barn backdrop, turning it pink for the night. The powerful song will be included on Martina’s impending Republic Nashville album, ELEVEN, which is slated for release on Oct. 11.

The special show will also include performances by Lauren Alania, Edens Edge, Kellie Pickler, Ronnie Milsap, and others as well as activities recognizing breast cancer survivors and the continuing fight against the disease.

Beginning today, when fans order tickets to the night’s 7 p.m. show, $5 from every ticket sold will be donated to Women Rock For The Cure™.  Tickets are available at (615) 871-OPRY and opry.com.

“Opry Goes Pink” will extend this year to opry.com, which will go pink for the day on Oct. 22 and will host an online pink auction beginning Tues., Oct. 18 with all proceeds benefitting Women Rock For The Cure™_.  Among the items to be available include one-of-a-kind Opry experiences and items autographed by artists participating in the “Opry Goes Pink” show.

The Grand Ole Opry_® is presented by Humana_®. Opry performances are held every weekend of the year, and the Tuesday Night Opry continues through Dec. 13.

The Grand Ole Opry presents the best in country music live every week from Nashville, Tenn.  Celebrating 85 years of entertainment, the Opry can be heard on 650 WSM-AM, SIRIUS XM Satellite Radio, and opry.com. The syndicated weekly program, America’s Opry Weekend, airs on country radio stations across America and on the Armed Forces Radio Network. The Grand Ole Opry is owned by Gaylord Entertainment (NYSE: GET), a Nashville-based hospitality and entertainment company that also owns and operates Gaylord Hotels.  For more information, visit opry.com orwww.gaylordentertainment.com

Women Rock For The Cure™ is a Nashville-based non-profit organization founded in 2007 by four friends with ties to the music industry: Jensen (Sussman) Arrowsmith, Liz Lee Schullo, Rebekah Lee Beard and Tara Austin. Since then, WRFTC has worked to find new ways to increase breast cancer awareness locally and help raise money for the cause. WRFTC is pinker than ever and always rockin’ to reach the organization’s vision; to fight breast cancer by utilizing the passion, creativity and strength of the entertainment industry to find inspiring ways to raise money for local breast cancer related organizations, including the Greater Nashville Affiliate of Susan G. Komen For The Cure, as well as increase awareness among young women and men in their 20s, 30s, 40s. Flagship annual events include the Pink Trash Ball, Opry Goes Pink, and the annualWomen Rock For The Cure benefit concert which has drawn standing-room-only crowds for the past three years. All proceeds raised benefit the ongoing efforts of the organization to help support breast cancer research and community outreach programs, including the inaugural WRFTC Young Survivors Retreat. The event will be held September 23-25, 2011 in Franklin, TN and will connect young women from across the country who have been diagnosed with breast cancer. For additional information on Women Rock For The Cure™ upcoming events and how to get involved, please visitwww.WomenRockForTheCure.org.