Music Musings

by Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger

11 May 2008 09:42 PM

The Bee Gees are returning to the stage... though it's not the concert stage.

The award-winning singing group is taking its act to Broadway and London's West End. On Saturday Robin Gibb announced that a theatre musical based on the disco trio's greatest hits, including "Stayin' Alive" and "Jive Talkin'" is currently in the works.

According to Gibb, the project should open to the public in the next 12-16 months.

In the meantime, another popular singer is making her debut on the stage of the Grand Ole Opry.

Carrie Underwood joined the cast of the long-running country music show Saturday and in the process the 25-year-old became the latest young addition to the Opry cast in recent years.

Highlights of last night's show included an introduction by Garth Brooks and a duet sung by Underwood and Vince Gill.

The former "American Idol" winner, who has sold 7 million copies of her debut album "Some Hearts" and shot to superstardom almost overnight with hits including "Before He Cheats" and "Jesus, Take the Wheel" fought back tears after Garth formally introduced her.

"This really seems like a great family to be part of," Underwood told audience members. "I promise I'll do everything I possibly can to not make you regret it."

Underwood joins other recent additions to the Opry cast such as Brad Paisley, Josh Turner and Dierks Bentley. The blonde beauty follows in the footsteps of country music legends such as Hank Williams Sr. and Patsy Cline, who were once members of the cast. Today's show stars the likes of Alan Jackson and Martina McBride.

The Opry, which was established in 1925, is the longest continuously running radio show in the country and airs every Friday and Saturday night on WSM-AM.

Officials from the Grand Ole Opry say artists are invited to join based on their commitment to the show, as measured by the frequency of their guest appearances, and their overall contribution to country music

Learn more about Michele Cheplic

Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism.

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