Irish link before George IV returns to Opry

WHILE George Hamilton IV has had a home at Nashvilleâ€â„¢s Grand Ole Opry as a regular performer for more than 50 years, he is currently on tour in the UK with Irish singer Sandy Kelly on a show titled Patsy Clineâ€â„¢s Last Concert before returning to a new role in Nashvilleâ€â„¢s most famous music venue as a host and music historian welcoming visitors backstage at the Opry. George IV, who will be 76 on July 19, has travelled the world several times over as a performer, earning the title of â€Å“International Ambassador of Country Musicâ€Â from Billboard magazine and many other accolades.  But as he starts to take things easier, from this Spring onwards, the Opry member has committed to spending more time than ever at his musical home, welcoming guests on two new Opry House tours â€â€ an Opry House Backstage Pass Post-Show Tour and the Opryâ€â„¢s VIP Behind the Opry Curtain Tour. Throughout Opry show nights, George IV will share stories of backstage happenings as well as those of his global country career. Of course the Opry member will still take to the Opry stage from time to time for performances of classics including Abilene, Break My Mind, Early Morning Rain and Truck Driving Man. â€Å“Weâ€â„¢re pleased to have George with us so often to offer guests his brand of Opry hospitality,â€Â said Pete Fisher, Opry Vice President and General Manager. â€Å“Talking with George is to learn more about what happens backstage at the Opry, what it was like to tour with the country greats of the past including the legendary Patsy Cline and Johnny Cash, how it felt to be the first American country singer to have his own British television series, to tour behind the Iron Curtain, and more.â€Â Prior to his new role at the Opry, George Hamilton IV continues to entertain British audiences with his latest visit to this side of the Atlantic â€â€œ a month long tour with Sligoâ€â„¢s Sandy Kelly celebrating the 50th anniversary of Patsy Clineâ€â„¢s final concert. Previously the two artists had co-starred in Patsy Cline: The Musical which enjoyed performances in Londonâ€â„¢s West End as well as long running provincial tours in Ireland and Britain. Looking ahead, George IV notes the Grand Ole Opry as his musical home place, having first taken trips there from his native North Carolina as a child. â€Å“Iâ€â„¢m very proud to be a member of the Opry family and feel very comfortable as a backstage host in addition to performing,â€Â he says. â€Å“Iâ€â„¢m really looking forward to meeting and greeting the folks from all over the world, especially those from Ireland who come to visit with us,â€Â he concluded. Photo:- Flashback to one of George Hamilton IVâ€â„¢s hit albums in Canada, which many thought was his home country following his big hit Canadian Pacific. George IV now plans to spend more time at his musical home The Grand Ole Opry in Nashville.