Hallmark’s “A Grand Ole Opry Christmas” rounded out the cast with four new additions: Sharon Lawrence, James Denton, Rob Mayes and Luke Benward.
The film marked the first collaboration between Hallmark Channel and The Grand Ole Opry, and began production last week in Nashville, Tennessee. Nikki Delloch leads the cast as Gentry Wade, the daughter of the late country music icon Jet Wade (Maze). Jet was half of Von Winters’ famous musical duo (now Denton, Benward in the past).
According to the official account, Gentry “admits dreams of a songwriting career and distances herself from her father’s legacy following a tragic car accident 30 years ago. When Grand Ole Opry invites Jet to represent Jet to celebrate the 100th anniversary on Christmas, she is hesitant to return to where she has soaked herself in bitterswersweet’s memories. Church Pews is suddenly transported to 1995. Gentry’s lifelong friend Mac (Kristoffer Polaha) spends precious time with her father in 1995, learning amazing answers as she is a teenager.
Lawrence depicts Jetwade’s cousin Rita. He remains closed along with Gentry and encourages Opley to accept his invitation to take part in a Christmas special honoring Winters and Wade.
The film will debut at Christmas to Hallmark’s 16th Annual Countdown, but also celebrates Opry’s 100th year. Brad Paisley plans to write and perform original music for the film. Other cameos include Bill Anderson, Lett Akins, Megan Moloney, Jamie Johnson, Daily & Vincent, Drew Baldridge, Maggie Beau, Susie Boggus, Mickey Guyton, Pam Tillis, Sky Rider and Tigally Gold.
