A Grand Ole Opry Christmas (2025)

[bunniefuu]

I've been on the road

for three weeks now.

Playing sold out shows.

And driving back through Arkansas.

We ran into snow

I thought I'd be there in

time for dinner Christmas Eve.

But there's a jackknifed

rig blocking 40 east.

Oh, leave the

Christmas lights on for me

I don't want to spend

it in a motel all alone.

Oh, leave the Christmas

lights on for me.

Now, Christmas won't be Christmas

if I can't make it home

Winters and Wade, everyone.

Thanks again for coming out tonight, folks.

Good night.

Good night.

Hey, Jett.

Hmm?

Merry Christmas.

You too, Von.

Ugh, so sorry you're

not feeling well, Lulu.

Oh, listen, don't worry.

I'm gonna cover your shift.

OK, rest up now.

Bye.

I will deal with you later.

Oh.

I already have one.

Yeah, but I was hoping

we could swap it out.

- Yours is more traditional.

- What's wrong with that one?

It's got microphones and little violins.

Fiddles. Whatever.

Welcome to Nashville, buddy.

You know what, Gentry?

I have been back for five years.

I am this close to saying y'all.

Now, do want to swap or not?

Yeah, I think it's cute.

Good.

I'm gonna tell the record label.

They're courting me to sign one of their

new up-and-coming clients, kid named.

Rowdy, who, coincidentally,

I also want to represent.

I guess this is their way of wooing me.

Well, they should have gotten

you a gift card to Ole Red.

You know me so well.

Food is my love language.

Mm-hmm.

Hmm.

Yeah, see?

It looks better on your door.

I knew it would.

That is because I embrace my roots,

unlike some people that I know.

You.

I'm talking about you.

I know you are. Where you going?

I thought you had the day off.

Ugh, well, Lulu called in

sick, so manager hat off.

Waitress apron on.

Well, until you relent and let

me sign you and represent you

to write a song that wins the

CMA Song of the Year Award,

and you get all your laurels.

I'm serious.

Oh, that dream is for another me, Mac.

No, Gentry.

Talent is talent.

So, baby,

let's keep fa-la-la-la fallin'

Up and down the halls.

And getting kind of mistletoe tipsy.

Sugar, you got me hoping.

Maybe we'll get snowed in.

Chilling all alone.

Just you and me.

It's getting kind of cold.

So baby hold me close.

Wrapped up in each other.

Like we're underneath a tree.

There ain't no kind of fallin'

Like fa-la-la-la fallin' in

love on Christmas Eve.

Fallin' in love.

Fa-la-la-la.

Fallin' in love.

In love on Christmas Eve.

Thanks, y'all.

We're Tigirlily Gold.

Merry Christmas, everybody.

All good?

Great.

Oh, hey, can you check

on table 12 and make sure

their waters are refilled?

Sure thing.

Thank you, honey.

Everyone all right?

Yes, ma'am.

Good.

How'd we get so lucky as to have.

Tigirlily Gold playing here?

They like to return to their

roots here on Broadway from time

to time.

Nice.

Listen, I was telling my buddy here,

you're Jett Wade's daughter.

Is that right?

That's right.

Yep.

Why'd your daddy quit playing music?

Question for the ages.

Now, can I get you anything else?

Gotta tell ya, your daddy's

Martin D-28 guitar, ooh.

Oh.

That's gotta be worth a pretty penny, huh?

You mean Gigi.

Mm-hmm.

I'll tell you what, if I knew

where that guitar was,

I would've donated it to the Opry by now.

Let me know if you need anything else.

Will do.

Thank you.

Thank you so much.

Hey, lady.

Rita.

You OK?

Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

Is it hearing this song all

the way through Christmas?

Hmm.

No, I love this song.

Makes me feel closer to Daddy.

Yeah.

No, just a couple customers asking

the same question that

everybody asks about Jett Wade.

Why did he walk away from fame and fortune?

That's the one.

And no one can answer it.

Not even me or you.

And I wish I could.

But he never said.

Yeah.

Christmas just makes me

think about it more than usual.

That's all.

You want your regular?

No, I thought I'd try a seasonal drink.

Oh.

OK, peppermint hot chocolate it is.

Ah.

Oh.

But that's not what brings me by.

Oh?

I heard a rumor...

Mm.

That the Opry sent you an invitation

and you've not replied.

Oh, Rita, I forget you

still have ties there.

'Cause the Opry family, Gentry.

And it always will be.

And you are part of it.

Not really.

I mean, not anymore.

Honey, it's the Opry's 100th anniversary.

The Christmas special, it's on the 23,

and they want you up there

on that stage, along with Von,

for their tribute to Winters and Wade.

You need to be there.

I'll think about it.

Oh, you are just as stubborn as he was.

So you keep saying.

Mm.

You want something a little extra in that?

Hmm, yes, please.

She's somebody's daughter.

She's somebody's everything.

She's somebody's little girl.

Even if she's grown up and moved...

Yeah, no, I get it.

He's very good.

I mean, it's talent like his that

made me decide and agree

to come back to Nashville

in the first place.

Yeah, I mean, the label

wants you, but Rowdy decides.

He's looking for new management.

But he is a traditionalist.

So you want to win him over,

talk to him about the history

of country music.

See? Right there.

That's the thing.

I am amazing at recognizing talent.

I can get it to all the right places,

but don't ask me to take a

quiz on all this music stuff.

No, just fake it.

Get your girlfriend Gentry to help you.

She knows country

history. Heck, she's part of it.

She's not my girlfriend.

OK, lady friend.

She's my friend, friend.

She's been my friend since

high school onward until now.

OK, well, she's been

divorced almost three years.

So what are you waiting for?

And don't tell me you don't

like her like that 'cause I see

the way you to make eyes at each other

when you think the other's not looking.

Wow. Doctor Romance.

You're really... oof, look at the time.

You know what, Charlie?

Thanks for the drink.

I'm gonna go water my Christmas tree.

Well, now I know what I want for Christmas.

Oh, you like this watch, Charlie?

Mm.

You know how you get one of these?

You win best manager five years in a row.

OK.

Good luck with me around.

Rowdy's in town on the 23rd.

All right.

Well, that gives me a

week to find my strategy.

All right.

Thanks for the drinks, Charlie.

Hey, hon, it's Rita.

Taking Mac on the Opry tour tomorrow

to get him some country music history

for his potential new client.

Might be good for you as well.

These pews are inspired

by the Ryman Auditorium.

And they were installed in

1974 when the Opry moved here.

So when you sit here, you

are sitting in a piece of history.

Now, some of these pews

had to be replaced because

of the big flood in 2010, but we managed

to keep the spirit intact.

And those pews up there on stage,

well, they are from the

original Ryman Auditorium,

and that is where family and friends sit

to watch their performers sing.

Do you remember when we'd would watch

your daddy play from up there?

You know, the opera isn't a place.

It's a show.

It's the longest continuously

run radio show in history.

But the closest thing to an actual location

is that circle right there.

How so?

Well, before this place,

the Opry was broadcast

from the Ryman Auditorium.

And when they finally

did move to here, well,

they kept part of that original stage,

and they put it right up here.

This is 6 foot round of pure history.

Mm.

Everyone who is anyone in country music

has stood in that circle to perform.

Mm-hmm.

Mm-mm.

Mm-mm.

It's sacred.

Mm-mm.

Wow.

Mm-mm.

She won't do it.

She's a purist.

Here, we have the members gallery,

which has the names of all of our artists

for the last 100 years.

Hey, Annie.

Hey, T.

How you doing?

Good.

Merry Christmas, guys.

Welcome to the Opry.

My name is T Graham Brown.

And every time I walk in

here, I always touch my plaque,

say a quick prayer, then

it's off to the circle to sing.

Y'all have fun.

Thank you, T. That is some

special information, ladies and

gentlemen.

And if you follow me, we're

gonna go to the mailboxes.

Oh, my goodness.

What a treat.

Mr. Rhett Akins is

here with his son, Brody.

- Good to see y'all folks.

- Hey, Rhett.

Hey, Von. How you doing, buddy?

Merry Christmas, buddy.

Yes, sir.

Von Winters.

What a day.

Hey, folks.

Follow me to the artists entrance.

We're gonna... Maggie Barnes.

- How are you?

- Oh, my goodness.

What are you doing here?

I'm on my way to sound check.

Oh, well, do you have a

minute to take some photos?

Anything for the Opry. Come on.

Thank you.

My goodness.

This is special.

Rita.

Hey, Von.

Good to see you.

Hey, Mac.

Sir, how are you? Good.

- Good to see you.

- Good.

Good to see you.

Merry Christmas.

Uncle Von.

Hi.

Rita mentioned you'd be here.

I bet she did.

I hear you're keeping busy.

Smaller venues these days.

She also mentioned that you

were thinking about skipping

the Christmas special.

I'm still debating.

Yeah.

You don't need me to

honor Winters and Wade.

You are Von Winters.

That is more than enough.

What's the real reason?

You... you know I always

wanted to be a songwriter like dad,

and it just... it didn't happen for me.

And if I step out on

that stage during a show,

even if it's to honor

dad, I haven't earned that.

And it's definitely not how I dreamed

I would step in the circle.

I hear ya, even if I do

disagree about your shot

at a career being over.

You got sidelined a little bit, but it'll

just make your songs better.

Songs no one will sing.

Oh, never say never,

especially around here.

Opry magic, that's a real thing.

Kind of like Christmas magic.

Put them together, who

knows what can happen?

All right.

Go get 'em, boy.

Daddy?

Hey, you there.

Rita?

You can't be here.

Woo!

There she is. Hang on.

Hey, Gentry.

Hey, hey, where you been?

You OK?

You know me.

And you know that I mean it when I tell you

that I sat on one of the pews on the stage,

and I went back in time.

- I went...

- Hold on.

No. No.

Hold on.

Oh, come on.

It was another dimension.

But Mac, my dad was there.

I saw my dad and... and Von.

Von was with him, and

they were on the stage.

- And they...

- I left you talking with Von.

No, no, no, this was a younger Von Winters

and a younger Jett Wade.

Oh, and younger Rita too.

She was there.

And she... and her hair,

it was... it was the same,

but it was dark.

And she was very annoyed with me.

But... what... what are you doing?

Well, I want to see if you hit your head.

I did not hit my head.

Or you did, and you have amnesia about it.

That literally makes no sense.

Oh, and time travel does?

Gentry.

I shouldn't have told you.

No, you should have told me,

so I know what to say to Rita so if we have

to take you to the hospital.

No, shh!

You cannot tell Rita.

What would I say?

All jokes aside, are you OK?

I'm fine.

I'm fine.

- Hold on.

- Yep.

- Gentry.

- No.

Gentry.

Well,

farewell, February.

Bye, July.

Oh, September.

Better step aside.

'Cause it's finally Christmas.

And I've been good this year.

Boo.

You're looking mighty pensive.

Everyone says that the Opry has magic.

It does.

You can't have that

many powerful artists walk

through those doors all those years

and not have a little magic linger.

I think you might be right.

Why do I get the feeling that

you are fixing to do something?

I'm considering it.

This is for luck.

RPM.

Wait, that was for the record label, right?

And my name.

Rita Patsy Mills.

Of course.

I got it at the Opry one Christmas.

Y'all, tonight, I have the

pleasure of bringing out my dear

friend and mentor, one of the

greatest country artists of all

time, Grand Ole Opry, would you

please make some noise for Mr.

Jamey Johnson.

Hello, gorgeous.

Megan, I've been

playing in this little circle

now for over 20 years, and it

still gets me going every time.

Thank you.

You know it's always an honor to have you.

Don't need a new phone.

Don't need a new car.

Just bought me a new pink guitar

I'm an aunt to a puppy.

So I don't need one for me

I've been on the road and ain't

had the time to make a list once.

Go check it twice.

The only thing I'd like to see

under my Christmas tree just

waiting for me.

Give me tall.

Hot in a Stetson.

Something I can unwrap like a present.

Hey.

Hey, just checking in to see how

you're doing after the whole portal

to another dimension thing.

Time travel.

Right.

Who's that?

Wait a minute.

Gentry, are you back at the Opry?

I want to see my dad

again, Mac, if I can get back.

Go back where?

To wherever he is.

OK, stay just wherever you are.

I'm gonna come to you, and

we're gonna talk about this.

Whatever... whatever this is.

I am not delusional.

- At least I don't think I am.

- Gentry.

OK, the show is ending.

I have to figure out how

to get backstage and then

on stage and into those pews.

Bye.

Gentry!

Gentry?

Yeah, Jett Wade.

I'm his daughter.

And I was supposed to meet someone here

to get some information

about a Christmas special

that's happening on Wednesday.

I'm... I'm a part of

honoring Winters and Wade.

Ma'am, I don't remember

hearing anything about that.

Weird.

Um...

Gentry Wade, huh?

That's right.

How come your daddy stopped making music?

He was so good at it.

I really wish I can answer that for you.

Well, I guess you're kind of

Opry family by association.

OK, let me go check in and

get this information for you.

Ah, thank you so much.

Yeah, I can do that.

- You just stay right there.

- OK.

OK.

OK.

We got Jett Wade's daughter out here.

OK.

Ma'am!

Ma'am!

Oh, man.

She tripping.

Excuse me.

Lady, I told you to wait.

Yes!

Hey.

Hi.

'Cause your sound

checks up right after Shasta.

- All right.

- OK?

We'll see you out there.

You take care.

Ma'am?

Ma'am.

Rita.

You cannot keep breaking in here.

The backstage is restricted.

I can assure you that this

is not what you think it is.

Oh, really?

'Cause it looks like you snuck in here

to try to meet a country star.

Maybe get somebody to listen

to your demo CD or cassette.

Well, I can promise you

that neither of those items

are in my possession.

Oh, my stars.

I... I didn't realize,

well, that... that you're

with the RPM record label.

Well, now, that's why you

don't look like you're from here.

That's right.

I'm with RPM. Mm.

Mm-hmm.

Here to represent the singers.

I am so sorry about the mistake.

See, folks are always

trying to get back here.

I'm Rita Mills.

Oh.

I am the associate producer of talent here.

But I also do a little bit of everything.

I bet you do.

I'm Jenny.

Jenny McCall.

Well, it's nice to meet you, Jenny McCall.

Well, let me give you a tour, huh?

Follow me right this way.

Now, which artist are you here to see?

All of them.

But particularly Winters and Wade.

Oh, that's my cousin Jett's band.

Aw.

You just missed them.

They left right after the rehearsal.

- Oh.

- But they'll be here tomorrow.

Part of the Christmas week shows, which

I expect you already knew that.

Of course.

But I did, um, happen

to lose their schedule.

Oh, well, let me go get that for ya.

Would you? Sure.

I have to run up to my office.

You stay right here.

Thank you so much, Rita.

No problem.

Are you sure?

Only thing I'm sure of is that

one minute she was there,

and the next minute...

And... so what?

She just... she just sat here?

Yeah.

Huh.

It can't be.

Whew.

This is crazy.

Mac?

Gentry.

What?

Wait, what... what are you doing here?

Ostensibly, I came here because I thought

you were losing your mind.

Oh, yeah?

How about now?

Yeah, now, I feel like I'm losing my mind.

OK, where are... when are we?

OK, sit.

OK.

I'm pretty sure it's 1995.

OK, why then

now, whatever?

I think it is just before Winters and.

Wade's last show at the Opry.

You know, the Christmas before they split.

- Yeah.

- Yeah.

So then maybe you can find out why.

Why.

Yes.

And also, I just...

I want to see my daddy again.

Of course, you do.

Yeah.

But the problem is he's not

coming back until tomorrow,

and I don't have a place to stay.

Uh, we.

No, no, no.

Don't... don't you we this.

You need to go back.

I'm not leaving you behind.

Ah, before you argue,

consider this, if I got

sucked up into some magic

portal and thrust back into time

so I could see my late father again

and then you got sucked

up into the same portal,

and you met me there, you

wouldn't leave me behind either.

Fine, you're right.

You're right. I'd stay.

- Yeah.

- Yeah.

Exactly.

OK, well, now, we need

to find a place to stay.

Well...

Y'all are in a heap of trouble

if you don't have a place to

stay this close to Christmas.

Who's this?

Mac McCall.

Hi.

Cute.

You brought your husband.

Oh.

Well, unless he's your brother.

No.

No.

I didn't think so.

There's a vibe.

But why don't you two have

a hotel booked or something?

Well...

That's my fault. I double

booked and they both canceled.

And the airlines, they lost our luggage.

So nowhere to stay, nothing to wear.

It's been a day. It's been a day.

I know what that's like.

Yeah.

Why don't y'all come stay

at my house for tonight?

It's real close.

And I've got a big old

guest bedroom for you two.

That would be great.

- Very kind of you.

- Yeah.

Well, it's Christmas.

That's what folks do for each other.

And here at the Opry, we

also know it's important to take

care of the record label.

Oh.

Well, thank you.

So come on, Jenny.

Come on, Mac.

It'll be a Christmas slumber party.

Ah!

Jenny from the record label.

I'll explain later.

Yeah, you will.

Yeah.

I can't believe the

airline lost your luggage.

Sorry.

Cream cheese Christmas cookies.

Mm.

Ah.

Oh, look, she's got the candy canes.

It's my favorite tree decoration.

I know what you mean.

What's y'all's Christmas

tree like back in...

Los Angeles.

Oh.

I see that for you.

But, Jenny, you seem a little bit country.

I am.

Believe it or not, he is too.

We actually grew up next

door to each other right

here in Nashville.

Really?

Mm-hmm.

Really and truly.

Were you always in love?

Well...

I mean, not consciously.

Not... not at first.

We were so young.

Yeah.

Just too young.

But I always knew that she was special.

Well, this feels very When Harry Met Sally.

I love it.

Are y'all planning for kids?

You know what?

I keep forgetting that

Wi-Fi isn't invented yet.

It's a forced technology

detox, and it's good for you.

Yeah, but you know what?

My camera still works.

How long are you planning on staying here?

And by here, I mean this decade.

I don't know.

I mean, it's not like I have

any control over when I...

Are you... are you gesturing?

I don't know what you're...

I can't see you from down here.

What are you saying?

Huh?

How about now?

I can see you now.

Hi.

I want to see my dad, Mac.

I know.

Maybe even talk to him.

Are we allowed to do that?

I don't know.

But the question is...

What?

What are we gonna do about...

Rita?

Yeah.

Mm.

I think I know how to distract her.

How?

Archives?

Mm-hmm.

Well, nothing official like just yet.

Although I've tried to get a

space together over at the Opry,

but there's just so much material

to document and preserve,

and I'm only one person.

Well, I can help you.

You?

Sure, yeah.

You know, just until Jenny

gets done with her work

with Winters and Wade.

- You would do that?

- Yeah, I would love to.

Yeah, it'll give me

something to do, you know,

while she's working.

And who knows?

Maybe I'll learn something.

Hmm.

Good morning.

Hey, morning.

Rita, thank you so much

for letting us stay last night.

Of course.

Though, you might be here tonight, too.

I made some calls before you two got up.

I tried to get you to stay at

the Gaylord Opryland Resort.

They don't have any rooms.

Nobody else does either.

How long are y'all planning

to stick around for, anyway?

Um, I think it depends on what

happens with Winters and Wade.

Hmm.

They usually show up

to the Opry around noon.

Great.

I cannot wait to talk to 'em.

Y'all probably want to change

your clothes, so we should

do a little shopping spree.

Would it be OK if I borrowed your car?

I need to run an errand.

Of course.

How much for this?

It's just my favorite.

So come on in. Come on in.

Oh.

Who's it here?

Is it Sandy?

Sandy, hello.

Now, it's not much to look at.

But one day, it'll be a proper archive.

I feel like the Indiana

Jones of country music stuff.

Oh, well, the Opry has been

entertaining folks for 70 years.

A lot of items to cherish.

Mm.

Did you know that it

started in 1925 as a radio

program called WSM Barn Dance?

Yep, I remember that from the tour.

Tour?

Walk-through is what I meant to say.

When I was walking through to find Jenny.

Oh, OK.

- Well, let's get to work.

- Let's do it.

Let's get to work.

Come in.

All the way.

Only Jett Wade can turn

"Jingle Bells" into a ballad.

Well, I loved it.

I do too.

Sounds like Christmas in here.

Feeling good about it?

Good as I can.

Yeah?

Why don't y'all take five.

I've got some interesting

ideas about this new album

I want to run by you guys.

- Yep.

- Yeah?

Mm.

I'll meet you in the back.

Yeah, go on.

Come on.

Jett Wade.

That's me.

Can I help you?

I'm Jenny McCall from R...

RPM.

Oh, pleasure to meet you, Miss McCall.

Although I wasn't aware the

label was sending someone out.

Any excuse to come to the Opry.

I hear that.

Well, you just missed Von.

I think he ran off with Lenny, our manager,

to get some lunch or something.

Oh, that's fine.

I... I just wanted to check in,

make sure everything's OK.

Oh, good.

Yeah, no, everything's going

real well here at the Opry.

It's a well-oiled

machine, but I don't think

that's why you're here, is it?

It... it's not?

Nah, it's about the album, isn't it?

The album?

Listen, I know the last two

weren't as successful as we'd

hoped, but I'm working

on a new batch of songs

and they're gonna be

ready come February, so...

Oh, good.

Good.

Great.

So that means that everything

with you and Von, you're

you're working well together?

Like hand in glove, as always.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I gotta

have to make a call to my wife.

Wait, is she here in Nashville?

No, no, she's in Gatlinburg

with our daughter for Christmas.

Oh, right, yes.

The White Christmas.

Yeah.

I beg your pardon?

Uh, sorry.

Um, I once spent

Christmas in... in Gatlinburg

with... with my parents.

Yeah, and it was my first white Christmas.

Well, here's to hoping we get some snow.

That'll be your first

one out there together.

My daughter's looking forward to it.

Now, if you'll excuse me.

It was perfect.

So not only are Winters and Wade

not planning on breaking

up in the next three days,

they are talking about starting a new album

the beginning of February.

Which they didn't do.

Well, not in our reality.

OK.

What?

What if we didn't just travel back to 1995?

What if we went back

to an alternative timeline

where Daddy and Von stayed together?

That seems a bit excessive.

- Maybe.

- Yeah.

Yeah.

Mm-hmm.

I did watch a lot of Doctor

Who a few years ago.

I get that.

Mm-hmm.

Here's what I think.

OK.

I think that neither one of

us asked to come back here,

but it feels like we were

brought here for a reason.

So I think our goal is to find out

what that reason is and

then see what has to be done,

if anything.

Thank you.

For?

Staying here with me.

Hey, you can't get rid

of me that easily, lady.

To time travel.

Oh, it's really hard to take

you seriously in that shirt.

Have you seen yourself?

Oh, Hank Williams.

My Nana loved Hank Williams.

She would listen to his

8-tracks and his records

all day long if she could.

You two were close?

Oh, she was my favorite

person in the world.

After my parents separated,

her house was really

the only safe place for me.

You know what?

In fact, she had a flower

shop not far from here.

Oh, really?

What was it called?

Ah, it was called Marigold Lane Flowers.

Well, I know them.

Over on Gallatin Pike?

Yeah.

Yeah, they're my go-to any

time somebody wants flowers

brought here or delivered.

Hilty over there is a real doll.

Huh.

Mr. Winters, can I have your autograph?

Mm-hmm.

He's not gonna like it.

He'll like the money...

Merry Christmas.

When it starts rolling in.

Trust me.

Look, Von, two guys with

guitars and good voices

is only gonna get you so far, OK?

You know that.

If Winters and Wade is ever

gonna have a chance to reach

an audience the size of Brooks

& Dunn, y'all are gonna have

to start chasing radio more.

I'm sorry.

Who are you?

Jenny McCall.

I'm with RPM.

Where's Adam?

Christmas vacation.

I'm filling in.

Well, Miss McCall, then Adam should

have filled you in on the plan that he

and I have already discussed.

Take a chill pill, Lenny.

I know you and the other sh**t have already

talked about the future

of Winters and Wade,

but we both have to agree on it.

And Jett doesn't agree?

He will once it is

properly presented to him.

It's all about finesse, baby.

You know that's my strong suit.

Please, just do not talk

about this at the party tonight.

OK, thanks, but I know what I'm doing.

Dashing through the snow.

Well, maybe you should come

to the Christmas party tonight,

Miss McCall, just in case he's not

as finessey as he thinks he is.

Me?

Sure.

You're with the label.

You basically paid for it.

What fun it is to ride and

sing a sleighing song tonight.

Oh, my.

It's Von Winters.

Can we get a picture with you?

Yeah, sure thing.

Now, this is like walking into a Grand.

Ole Opry Christmas special.

Ooh, I'm gonna go talk to Reba.

All right.

Wow.

This is crazy.

Oh, I'm so glad Rita

made me buy this dress.

Well, darling, you're the most

beautiful woman in the room.

Shania Twain's here.

Ooh, really?

Where?

- Oh.

- Yes, go, go.

I'm gonna go.

I'm gonna go.

Of course.

Good luck.

Why waste that money?

It's not about the money.

It's about what's best for...

New writers?

Nah, it's always been me

who does the writing and

Von who does the music.

I hear you, Jett.

I do, man.

But look, the last two albums didn't quite

perform like we'd all hoped.

Gotta aim for a new direction, man.

Is this what you want, huh?

Know what I want?

I want to fill up stadiums as

the headliner, same as you.

Maybe new writers will

help make that possible.

I've already written the songs.

And we will throw them in

the mix with the rest of them.

See which ones rise to the occasion.

Isn't that right, Miss McCall?

So this is why you're here.

Break it to me gently about me losing

my writing gig for my own duo.

Wow.

Well, that went about as

well as I thought it would.

Don't make me say I told you so.

Yeah, I need a drink.

Did that go as well as

you thought it would?

That went exactly how I thought it would.

He's not gonna listen to me right now.

Mm-mm.

I'll try.

May I join?

It ain't my porch.

Listen...

I got nothing against songwriters selling

their work to other artists.

That's what most of this town runs on.

In fact, I've had plenty of my

own songs cut by other artists.

I know.

But I've always taken pride in the fact

that Winters and Wade

sings their own songs,

songs that I wrote.

Then again, I suppose

pride cometh before the fall.

Now, if you'll excuse me,

I'm not real good company

for a Christmas party.

So you were rude to Miss McCall?

No, I wasn't rude.

Just maybe not as nice as I

maybe could have been, is all.

Well, what is going on, cuz?

You're all out of sorts.

And I can't help noticing

that Alice isn't here.

Me and Alice are fine.

She went ahead early

to Gatlinburg with Gentry,

and I'm gonna be joining them

after our Christmas performance.

And we're gonna spend a

couple weeks, just the three of us

up there.

Hmm.

Well, you'll have all the time in the world

if you don't make it

right with Miss McCall.

The record label rep.

I'll go apologize.

Go on.

Do you know "Jingle Bell Rock?"

Do you think that hiring writers

is enough to get your dad to

to not only not do the

album, but to quit the duo?

I don't think so.

I mean, my dad was

prideful, but he wasn't foolish.

Did he say anything

about it that Christmas?

Do you remember?

No, but also, I was a kid.

I wasn't really paying attention.

You know, I was focused

on music and friends and...

I remember being at

songwriting camp that summer

and winning that award.

My dad was there to see it.

Like, where... where did she go, you know?

Where did that me go?

She's still here.

I believe that.

I don't know.

Maybe I was too sensitive for

it all, because every time I got

rejected, it just hurt so much.

Yeah.

And it just made it a little easier

to put off songwriting or

getting my music in the hands

of, you know, the right people.

You know that I've had

this exact conversation

with every one of my clients.

And do you know what I tell them?

Hmm?

Persistence is just as important as talent.

What?

What?

I... I went and pulled out

my old journal and found

one of my half-written songs.

I wrote it when I was 16.

And I was convinced it

was gonna be the greatest

Christmas love song ever.

Yep, in the history of music.

History of music.

And I just couldn't wait to

share it with my dad and for him

to help me finish it.

I didn't get the chance.

Do you remember it?

Mm-hmm.

Well, then I need to hear it.

Oh, I'm... no, I am not

going to sing for you.

- No?

- Mm-mm.

Why not?

You don't trust me?

I'm your husband.

Come on.

Of course, I trust you.

Just that... you know I should

really have a guitar for this.

Of course, you should. Yeah, absolutely.

I am melting just like

the ice on our boots.

By the door.

And just like the fire

I feel warm.

Cause when I look at you.

With your eyes all aglow

I'm falling just like the snow.

Mm.

Something like that.

It's good.

No, it's really good.

Finish it.

You're just saying that because it's

your husbandly duty.

Hey, one thing that I am

certain about is your talent.

OK.

Come in.

I love it.

Thank you.

Thank you very much.

And this is Von Winters.

Hey, yep.

Where's Jett?

Good question.

Where's Jett?

OK, I'll be back.

Need any help?

You are awful persistent in talking to me.

Hmm.

Well, you are the talent.

Pfft.

Am I?

I'm sorry.

Here I am being a grump again when I should

be apologizing to you for my little

tantrum last night at Von's.

No need.

Actually, you know what?

Your record deal is over.

Might solve a lot of problems.

Oh, would it?

Oh, it would.

And then cause a whole bunch more.

Though if we're hiring new writers,

maybe we should hire you.

Me?

Sure.

I came back out last night to apologize.

Heard you sing your half finished Christmas

song, the one you said you wanted

to finish with your daddy.

Oh, I wish you wouldn't have.

It's just not done.

And...

Mm-hmm.

How come you never finished it?

He died before we got a chance.

I'm sorry.

Me too.

Thank you.

Is that what made you hang up the guitar?

Become a suit instead.

Well, might have gotten

me a little distracted

away from songwriting.

Excuse me.

Jett, we're ready for the

media interviews now.

I'll be right there.

Listen, I'll tell you what.

How about you come by the Opry tomorrow

around noon before our rehearsal,

and you can tell me more about this song?

How's that sound?

I would love to.

All right.

Thank you.

Woop.

Voila.

Ay, looking good.

Thank you.

Now, the front desk, they

asked me to do a refresh of all

the poinsettias in the dressing room,

so I'll put an order in over

at Marigold Lane and well,

I thought since it was

your nana's old place,

that maybe you'd like to be the

one to go pick 'em up tomorrow?

I would love that.

Hmm.

Good.

That Jenny, she really

hit the jackpot with you.

Rita.

How are you feeling

about tomorrow with Jett?

So many feelings.

Yeah?

Yeah.

Um, I mean, when I was

a kid, all I ever dreamed of

was getting to perform

on stage with my daddy

like our own version of The Judds.

Yeah.

But now, I'm just happy to see him again.

I get it.

I get it.

Yeah.

It still doesn't make any

sense why we're here, but...

Mm-mm.

I'm grateful for the opportunity.

Me, too.

Um...

Mm-hmm.

I'm gonna go to bed.

Good night, Gentry.

Good night.

Can I help you?

Um, yeah, I'm here to pick

up an order for Rita Mills

from the Opry.

20 poinsettias back here.

Come on back.

Careful.

Its original floor.

It likes to take out ankles.

I remember.

Uh, do you want a hand with those?

I'm not put out to pasture yet.

If that's you, Mac, the Bailey's

order is ready back here.

Yes, ma'am.

These ones?

Yep.

Tell their mom I threw

in some holly 'cause I felt

guilty about her last birthday.

You got, Nana.

See ya.

That's my grandson.

He's a good kid, but

he's having a hard time.

Yeah?

Why?

There's a girl.

Always is.

He liked her and wanted to

ask her to winter her formal.

But he waited too long.

And now, she's seeing some other boy.

You know, sometimes, adults

make the same mistakes.

True.

And who knows, maybe

the timing's just off right now.

Sometimes you get another

shot, sometimes you don't.

But if you do, don't waste

it because it probably

won't come around a third time.

That's really good advice.

Thank you, Hilty.

Tell Rita if these don't

knock her socks off,

I'm sending over orchids just for spite.

OK.

See ya.

Right on time.

Come on.

Come on in. Come on.

- Thank you.

- Have a seat.

- Just sit?

- Yes.

OK.

You don't... you don't have to stop.

Oh, now, you said the

other night at Von's that you

wish you had a guitar.

So why don't you take

Gigi and play me your song.

Um, you want me to play you my song?

Like you were meant for it this time, yeah.

I don't know.

Come on.

Here.

Go on.

Try.

OK.

It's been a long time.

Mm.

And, uh, this is all I have so far.

OK.

OK?

I am melting just like...

Huh.

This is cool.

This is not exactly it but what

if we did something like, um...

All the shops in the square look.

Just like a post card tonight.

Yeah.

With everything covered in white.

And like mercury dropping to 20 below

I am falling just like the snow.

Yeah, that's nice.

- Yeah.

- What comes next?

Come on.

I just... I don't know.

I don't know.

OK.

Well...

Mm-hmm.

What does this song mean to you?

Just being with your

true love at Christmas.

Mm-hmm.

I was much younger

when I started writing this,

when true love seemed easy.

It's not.

Mm-mm.

Nope.

It takes work...

Mm-hmm.

Sacrifice.

And time.

Time and commitment.

You know, the person that

you choose will take care of you

when your mama, daddy

no longer can and vice versa.

So the person you choose better be special.

And it better be the kind of person

that you can just simply be

with, especially at Christmas.

Christmas.

Mm-hmm.

OK.

What if we started here to connect

the bridge to the other part?

OK.

OK.

From the blanket white on the ground.

To a blanket with you on the couch.

Nice.

After to winter and walking.

It could be the eggnog that's talking

I hope you know.

That I'm falling just like the snow.

Your daddy would have loved that.

Wow.

Wow.

You just say the word,

we'll add you to the

songwriter list, Miss McCall.

Ooh.

OK, listening in the doorway, are we, Von?

Ah, it's Opry tradition.

What's up, Von?

Afternoon meeting with Lenny.

You forget?

OK, boys, let's get down to business.

- What are you doing here?

- I was just...

- What's she doing here?

- Leaving.

Is there a problem?

No, Jenny... no, no,

there's no problem at all.

- Jenny.

- Yeah?

You are real good.

Don't lose sight of that, OK?

OK.

What have we got, fellas?

Schedule for recording the new album.

OK, but here it says December 26.

- That's the day after Christmas.

- It is.

We're supposed to be

back in there in February.

Got moved up.

For the tour.

World tour.

Mm-mm.

You see those dates there?

This is gonna be a gold mine, Jett.

Alice and Gentry will be fine.

You've gone on tour before.

Not for this long, Von.

Plus, Gentry's got a summer

songwriting camp coming up,

and I want to be there for her, so...

Jett, this is it.

This is our chance to make it big.

We should have done this years ago.

Von, I am going to

Gatlinburg after our show here.

And Alice and Gentry and I plan on being

there through the new year.

And there's a real good chance we're gonna

get to see a white Christmas.

So cancel your plans, man.

This is more important.

If I don't?

Jett, you are at a crossroads, my friend.

You need to make a decision

by the Opry Christmas special

so that we can be ready

for either Winters and.

Wade's next step in evolution or,

or Von Winter's solo career.

He'll be back, right?

Right?

It's a tradition I've created myself.

I make homemade Christmas cookies

and bring them to the performers dressing

rooms as a little Opry treat.

All right, now, we are going to these

and then put them on the parchment paper,

put the parchment

paper on the baking sheet,

then put the baking sheet in the oven.

After the gingerbread men are done.

And how many variations

of Christmas cookies

are we planning on making?

Oh, not many.

Just Sno-Caps, peppermint

bark, red velvet kiss, cranberry

shortbread, holiday haystacks.

Peanut butter Christmas minis.

Cherry jam thumbprints?

Those are just a few of my favorites.

Well, this is the Opry

70th anniversary Christmas

special we're talking about.

It's OK to go a little overboard.

Yeah.

All right, now, let's hop to it.

Oh, my stars.

You gotta stop eating the cookies.

This is Rita Mills.

This looks pretty amazing.

Where is your watch?

I pawned it.

We needed some money while we were here.

Mac, that was a really expensive watch.

I would never want you to do that.

I know but it needed to be done.

And I didn't want you to have

anything to worry about other

than you finding your dad

and playing music with him,

which you did so...

You are a generous, kind, thoughtful man.

And I want you to know that I see that.

I know you do.

And you know that I would

do anything for you, right?

I do.

You already have.

What's wrong?

That was the Opry.

Jett, he didn't turn up at

the final rehearsal last night,

and nobody knows where he's at.

Uh, what about Von?

Apparently, there were words exchanged,

and... and Jett left the Opry,

but nobody's seen him since.

Well, should we go look for him?

Someone ought to.

Von seems a little more concerned

that he's not gonna show up

to the Christmas show tonight,

but I've never known my

cousin to be unprofessional.

He always shows up.

Well, I'd feel a whole lot

better if someone talked to him

and confirmed your hunch.

I will.

So why do you think he's here?

Because he used to come

here all the time when I was little.

He called it his thinking spot.

There he is.

They send a search party?

More like a pre-search party.

This is Mac, um, my husband.

Hmm.

Pleasure.

Hey, the pleasure's all mine, sir.

You missed the final rehearsal.

Folks at the Opry are worried.

What happened?

You know, Von and Lenny want me to go back

in the studio and got this new album and

go on a nine-month world tour.

My daughter... I've already

missed so much time with her.

I'm sure she'll understand.

I'm not sure I do.

I got a question for ya.

If you're able to go forward in

time and look back on your life,

which decision would you regret not making?

That's a very good question.

One that sounds like you've

given some mighty thought to.

I have.

There was a girl once,

and she lived on my street.

And I loved her.

And I wanted to ask

her to the winter formal,

but I didn't because I was scared.

And then she went with this guy who

ended up being her high school sweetheart

and her eventual ex-husband.

And then I regretted it

ever since, every day.

I hope she's sitting next to me right now.

This is fixing to get mighty awkward.

She is.

But we lost a lot of time.

Can't get that back.

Let me ask you a question.

Yeah?

I heard you say that your

daddy got to see you win

an award at a songwriting camp.

Is that right?

Yeah, that's right.

What if he hadn't been there?

You know, when I was

when I was young, um, my

dad was away a lot for work.

But then he made a decision that allowed

him to be there a lot more.

And that was important to you?

Yeah, it meant everything.

You know, as the label rep,

you're supposed to be talking me

into sticking with my career.

Yeah, but as someone who lost

her daddy as a teenager, I...

I know how important every

moment together truly is.

Mm.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Thank you, Jenny.

Hey.

So the story about the

girl you had a crush on.

Well, that was you.

It has always been you.

You know, if you would have

asked me, I would have said yes?

Oh, I knew.

Mm-hmm.

I was right.

You are a really good kisser.

- And I want to keep...

- Mm-hmm.

- Kiss...

- Mm-hmm.

Kissing.

Mm-hmm.

But the show starts in

two hours at the Opry.

And we gotta see if Jett

makes it to his performance.

Mm-hmm.

We're gonna circle

back around to this, right?

Oh, 100%.

Yes, come on.

Jenny.

Can I talk to you for a sec?

Um, is... is this about Jett?

No, it's about you.

You're not a record label executive.

I called RPM. No one's ever heard of you.

OK, listen.

Um, I can explain.

No need.

I think I understand what's going on here.

You're a songwriter looking

for a break, and you found one.

Maybe went a little bit

further than you expected.

Lucky for you, you're

talking to the guy who once

snuck into Merle Haggard's

backyard and posed as a gardener

to get his break.

I, uh, never knew that.

Hey, his manager caught me

and kicked me out before Merle

got home.

Listen, I heard that Christmas

song you sang the other day.

Oh.

It's good.

Real good.

I know a thing or two about writing songs,

and I think you got a

special talent, one I'd like

to see what we could do with.

Wow.

I... thank you.

I... I don't know what that means.

Well, you know, we're

looking for songwriters.

Why not you?

Unless you don't want a

career as a songwriter?

No, I... I have wanted that forever.

Great.

We'll set up a meeting for after

Christmas, you, me, and Lenny.

But wait.

But what about Jett?

We'll cross that bridge.

Well, it's quite the opportunity.

It's all I ever wanted.

Career wise.

But you'd have to stay here in 1995.

Which is impossible.

Not really.

I mean, we both know

what'll probably send us back,

so we just have to avoid

the Ryman pews on stage.

We could stay.

You have a family, Mac.

You have parents, your brothers, sister.

If you don't go back,

then they're never gonna

know what happened to you.

Well, in 30 years, I'll show up.

I'll have a head of silver

hair, I'll have dashing wrinkles,

and I'll tell them.

And they'll probably have me committed.

I won't let that happen.

And I'm not gonna leave you.

It has taken us 30 years to get together.

And I'm not gonna give that up.

And I'm also not gonna be the guy

that stands in the way of you getting

to fulfill your dream career.

I'm not doing it.

Opry magic and Christmas

magic might be formidable,

but I just wish it was

a lot less complicated.

Yeah.

I knew you'd come.

Here's the thing.

I don't want to headline stadiums.

I like writing songs that mean something.

And I want to spend

Christmas with my family,

with my wife and my daughter in the snow.

And I want to be there when Gentry wins

her songwriting award at camp this summer,

which I know that she will.

What do we tell folks?

We had a good run, better than most.

The rest is our business.

Fair enough.

One last song?

Can't think of a better

place for the Winters and

Wade farewell than the Opry at Christmas.

I agree.

Let's do this.

Thank you.

Thank you.

He needs a guitar pick.

- Oh.

- Yeah, here.

- I'll take it.

- Here.

- Let me take it.

- Here.

All right.

I got you, Jett.

Hey, whoa, whoa, whoa.

Oh, give me a second.

Here, boss.

Whoa.

All right, my man.

We're good.

Oops. Whoa.

Ooh, sorry. Ooh.

Oh.

Oh, no.

Mac.

No.

No.

No.

No.

Come on.

Coming up, the dynamic duo

of Von Winters and Jett Wade.

Here to perform their number

one hit single, "Leave the Christmas.

Lights on For Me."

Give it up.

I've been on the road for three weeks now.

Playing sold out shows

I'm driving back through Arkansas.

We ran into snow

I thought I'd be there in time

for dinner at Christmas Eve.

But there's a jackknifed

rig blocking 40 East.

Oh, leave the Christmas lights on for me

I don't want to spend

it in a motel all alone.

Oh, leave the Christmas lights on for me.

Now, Christmas won't be Christmas

if I can't make it home.

Try this.

Away in a manger.

No crib for a bed.

The little Lord Jesus

lay down His sweet head.

The cattle are lowing.

The baby awakes.

The little Lord Jesus, no crying he makes.

Ooh, love the retro look, Mac.

Oh, yeah. Thanks.

You look great. How are you?

- Merry Christmas.

- Merry Christmas.

Good to see you.

You know, in the end,

just stay true to yourself.

I appreciate that, Jamey.

- That means a lot.

- Yes, sir.

- Thank you.

- I'll see ya.

Thank you. See ya.

Hey, hey, Jamey.

- How you doing?

- Good.

- How are you?

- Hey.

- Who's that?

- Howdy.

Well, what do you think?

I think I gotta pinch myself.

This is unbelievable.

It's a special place.

The Opry is a special place.

I'll tell you what.

I want to surround myself with people

that love good old-fashioned country music.

Well, there's a lot to

love about the music,

and there's no greater place to experience

it than right here at the Opry.

Well, I'm looking forward to it.

And... and hopefully looking

forward to working together.

Well, sh**t, Rowdy.

I sure would like that.

Me too, man. Me too.

Hey, y'all, we're getting close.

- Let's go.

- We should get backstage.

All right.

Let's go.

Me?

Thank you.

Oh, man.

Hey, Mr. Bill.

How are you?

I'm doing great.

Good, man.

I got some news for you.

What's that?

This time next Christmas,

you're gon' be out

- there standing in that circle.

- That'd be a dream come true.

You know that, don't you?

Man, I hope so.

I hope so.

You've got what it takes.

I've seen your videos on TikTok.

And you're born to do this, pal.

That means a lot.

- A born star.

- Means a lot coming from you.

- Go far.

- Thanks, Bill.

Thank you, Mr. Bill.

That was you, Bill.

Well, he's... he's got it.

- Yeah, he does.

- Yeah.

- It's good to see you.

- Thank you.

- Good to see you.

- Want to get out there?

How y'all doing this fine December?

Welcome to the Grand

Ole Opry as we continue 100

years of country music history.

Winters and Wade, everyone.

Thanks again for coming out tonight, folks.

Good night.

Good night.

Hey, Jett.

Hmm?

Merry Christmas.

You too, Von.

You too.

Let's set that meeting.

Tell you what.

He's gonna need someone

who knows her way around words.

Here.

I won't be needing it any longer.

And you, Jenny, you're

talented, very talented.

Remember that, OK?

Hmm?

OK.

Your daddy, is he

is he a good daddy?

The best.

Well, I hope my daughter

one day thinks of me that way.

She will.

Mm.

Yeah?

OK.

All right then.

Okey dokey.

You know, here at the Opry, we love

to pay respects to our

history, and we certainly

have a lot of history.

But one of the groups that I have

fallen in love with over the

years is Winters and Wade.

I know y'all remember their

big old hit "Leave the Christmas.

Lights on For Me."

We also remember that Von Winters

went on to have a solo career that

was legendary in its own right.

So ladies and gentlemen,

please give a warm Opry

welcome to Von Winters.

Well, hey there, Gentry.

Glad you could make it.

Ladies and gentlemen, this here is.

Gentry Wade, the daughter of

my dear late friend, Jett Wade.

Gentry!

Oh, folks, I have watched

this young lady grow up.

And I saw how proud her

daddy was of her songwriting.

In fact, he had a hand in helping

on a song she wrote a while back called.

"Falling Just Like the Snow."

How about you step in

the circle if you're ready.

I'm ready.

When I was first asked to come to the Opry

to honor Winters and Wade, you and Daddy,

I hesitated, not because I didn't

believe you don't deserve it.

Of course, you do.

Of course.

I didn't believe in myself as a songwriter.

But being here, remembering

what my daddy taught me,

I now know that it is so

much bigger than that.

Music itself is the gift.

And if you can write from

a place of honesty and love,

just like my daddy did, you

have already found your voice.

Standing here tonight in this circle,

it is a dream come true because

I get to honor where I came from

and finally, finally believe

in where I'm going, thanks

to Winters and Wade, to

my daddy and especially

to the Grand Ole Opry.

That's what I like to hear.

Let me ask you this, Gentry.

How would you like to hear somebody

perform your song right now?

Because I gave it to Mr. Brad Paisley.

What?

And he said he couldn't

think of a better tribute

to Winters and Wade

than to sing a song written

by Jett Wade's daughter.

So, folks, how about a warm

Opry welcome for Brad Paisley.

Here we go.

Everybody.

Thank you.

Hi.

Good to see you.

Thank you...

- How are you?

- So much for this.

Absolutely.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Merry Christmas, everybody.

This is such a pleasure to get to do this.

First of all, Christmas time for

me is the warmth and the love

and the joy of the holidays.

And the song I'm gonna be

able to sing for you today that I'm

so lucky to have the gift of

being able to perform written

by Gentry, and it's just beautiful

and it just captures this

holiday so perfectly to me.

I am melting.

Just like the ice on our boots by the door.

And just like the fire I feel warm.

'Cause when I look at you

with your eyes all aglow.

Girl, I'm falling just like the snow.

You are something to see in

that sweater I gave you tonight.

In the glow of the Christmas tree lights.

And like mercury dropping to 20 below

I am falling just like the snow.

From a blanket of white on the ground.

To a blanket with you on the couch.

After winter and walking.

It could be the eggnog that's talking.

But I hope you know

I am falling just like the snow

I am falling just like the snow.

Thank you guys.

Woo!

Woo!

You wrote a great song.

I did.

So honored to get to do that.

Well, I can't imagine

a better person to do it.

Thank you so much.

You're welcome.

You just made my dream come true.

Ah, likewise. Thank you.

Thank you.

Merry Christmas.

Merry Christmas.

How?

All I know for sure is that Opry

magic and Christmas magic

together make a powerful force.

Who knows what can happen.

But it's past time we had that

meeting about your songwriting.

I'll be there.

You promise?

Here.

Hold her for me.

I'll get Gigi at the meeting.

Ah.

So where you been?

Rita, you have no idea.

It's such a long story.

And I promise to tell you everything.

But I am back now.

Yes, you are.

Oh.

Thank you.

Bring you luck.

It brought me everything.

Yeah.

Mm-hmm.

It did.

Can you believe what happened?

Brad Paisley sang my song.

- Amazing.

- Yes.

That was amazing.

It was amazing.

And I thought I lost you forever.

You didn't.

About time.

To 20 below.

I am falling.

I can't believe you got this.

Yeah.

Oh, it's incredible.

Oh, thank you.

Thank you.

Yeah.

Do you know I tried to come back to you.

You did?

So many times.

Nothing happened.

I guess the Opry figured

we did what we needed to do.

Yeah.

You know I would have stayed with you.

I know.

OK.

And I love you for that.

I love you for so many reasons

and so many things for so long.

I cannot remember when I didn't love you.

I just... I'm sorry that it

took me so long to say it.

It's OK.

Now we both know.

Yeah.

Yeah.

All it took was us going

back 30 years to figure it out.

No big deal.

And a little Christmas magic.

Yeah, a little Christmas magic.

Oh.