Country Music Legend Connie Smith & Husband Marty Stuart Test Positive for COVID-19, Opry Celebration Postponed
nashville, TN – Country music icon Connie smith and her husband, fellow musician Marty Stuart, have tested positive for COVID-19, forcing the postponement of a special event celebrating Smith’s 60th anniversary as a member of the Grand Ole Opry. The news was announced Tuesday via Smith’s Instagram account.
The planned celebration,scheduled for Wednesday night at the Opry,was to feature a lineup of performers honoring Smith’s six decades with the institution. A statement released on Smith’s Instagram page confirmed the event’s postponement, expressing hope for a swift rescheduling. “We look forward to rescheduling this soon and to listening to the fantastic lineup of folks performing tomorrow night!” the post read.
The Grand Ole Opry also issued a statement, relayed by Smith, explaining the situation. ”Though we were so excited to celebrate 60 years of Grand Ole Opry membership with the great Connie Smith tomorrow night, Connie and her husband Marty Stuart must cancel their appearances on the show due to, as Marty said, ‘the unwelcome presence of COVID in our home,'” the Opry’s statement said. “We will look forward to celebrating Connie’s 60th with her (and with Marty by her side) on a future date to be announced soon.”
stuart’s scheduled concert this Saturday in Louisville has also been postponed as an inevitable result of the positive tests.
Connie Smith,born Constance Frances Smith on January 14,1942,in Falmouth,Kentucky,is a highly respected figure in country music. She rose to prominence in the 1960s with hits like “Once a Day” and “Cindy’s Song,” becoming a cornerstone of the genre’s traditional sound. Her consistent chart success and powerful vocals earned her numerous accolades, including multiple Grammy nominations and induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2012. She was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry in 1971.
Marty Stuart, born John Marty Stuart on September 20, 1961, in Philadelphia, Mississippi, is a Grammy-winning country music singer, songwriter, and musician. He is known for his dedication to preserving the history of country music and his vibrant stage presence. Stuart joined the Grand Ole Opry in 1992 and has been a prominent figure in the country music scene for decades. He and Smith married in 1997.The news prompted an outpouring of support from fans, with numerous comments expressing prayers and well wishes for the couple’s recovery.Many shared personal stories of how Smith’s music had impacted their lives, highlighting her enduring legacy within the country music community. The postponement underscores the continued impact of COVID-19 on live events and the music industry, even as restrictions ease in many areas.
