Tanya Tucker Makes Grand Ole Opry History By Riding A Horse Onto Stage

Tanya Tucker made history on Friday, June 2 by riding a horse, a black Friesian Stallion named Lauwe the Magnificent, onto the stage at the Grand Ole Opry.

According to a press release, Opry historians believe her dramatic entrance marked the first time anyone has ridden a horse onstage at the Opry during the 97-year history of the institution.

Tucker went on to perform Kindness, The List and When the Rodeo Is Over from her new album Sweet Western Sound, 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.

.@tanyatucker made Opry history last night when she rode her horse onstage to close out the Friday Night Opry! 🐎 pic.twitter.com/AWvR9LPF4x

— Grand Ole Opry (@opry) June 3, 2023

A video shared on social media by Marcus Dowling gives a backstage look at how Tucker pulled off her Grand Ole Opry entrance.

.@tanyatucker just rode a horse onstage at the @opry.

More soon. pic.twitter.com/heXsxLxR3D

— Marcus K. Dowling (@marcuskdowling) June 3, 2023

Tucker rode the same stallion that she previously guided through the streets of Nashville in early April, just hours after the revelation that she had been named as a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame and the announcement of her two headlining shows at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium.

The Opry event happened courtesy of a team that worked to make the moment possible, including Tucker’s management team, Lauwe the Magnificent’s owner Annika Bruggeworth (of Kentucky’s Siren Song Stables), and the Opry’s executive producer Dan Rogers.

It’s finally here!!! So excited to share with y’all my brand new album Sweet Western Sound! It’s produced by my buddies @brandicarlile and @ShooterJening on @fantasyrecords. ❤️🎶

Stream/ listen here: https://t.co/IBL2obzgGe

📸 @DKupishNash
👚 @doubledranch_ pic.twitter.com/yDiHplaEFA

— Tanya Tucker (@tanyatucker) June 3, 2023

Born in Seminole, Texas, Tucker had her first country hit, the classic Delta Dawn, at the age of 13 in 1972. Since that auspicious beginning, she has become one of the most admired and influential artists in country music history, amassing 23 Top 40 albums and a string of 56 Top 40 singles, ten of which reached the #1 spot on the Billboard country charts.

Tucker’s indelible songs include some of country music’s biggest hits such as Soon, Two Sparrows in a Hurricane, It’s a Little Too Late, Trouble, Texas (When I Die), If It Don’t Come Easy, Strong Enough To Bend and many more. She is also the recipient of numerous awards, including two CMAs, two ACMs and three CMT awards. In 2020, Tucker received two GRAMMY Awards for ‘Best Country Album’ (While I’m Livin’) and ‘Best Country Song’ (Bring My Flowers Now.)

In December 2022, Tanya made her acting debut in a lead role in A Nashville Country Christmas, starring alongside Academy Award winner Keith Carradine. In October of 2023, Tanya will be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame – marking more than 50 years in the entertainment business – alongside Patty Loveless and Bob McDill.