Country Stars to Help Circle Network Mark the 20th Anniversary of 9/11
The daylong tribute will highlight American heroes, and the music that many leaned on.
As the U.S. prepares to mark the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks, the streaming home of the Grand Ole Opry — along with country stars and the Wounded Warrior Project — have prepared a heartfelt tribute to a nation forever changed, and those sworn to protect it.
Airing all day on September 11, 2021, Circle Remembers 9/11 presented by Wounded Warrior Project will feature more than 12 hours of special programming and country performances, capped by a moving edition of Opry Live.
Announcing the news on Wednesday (September 1), the solemn special will be hosted on The Circle Network, starting at 8 a.m. and running through 10 p.m. EST. All told, the daylong network takeover will pay tribute to the commitment and sacrifice of American military heroes with a series of deeply personal storytelling segments, along with powerful musical salutes. Two primetime performance specials will feature The Bacon Brothers, Billy Ray Cyrus, Brad Paisley, Carly Pearce, Charles Esten, Craig Morgan, Jimmie Allen, Lauren Alaina, Little Big Town, the McCrary Sisters, MercyMe, Trace Adkins, Trisha Yearwood, Vince Gill and more.
“The country music community played an integral role in the healing process in the aftermath of 9/11 as it offered comfort through heartfelt lyrics and messages and helped bring those who were suffering together through the power of music,” said Drew Reifenberger, Circle Network’s General Manager. “We couldn’t be more proud to partner with Wounded Warrior Project to bring the community together to remember all those lost and commemorate our many heroes,”
“Wounded Warrior Project is proud to partner with Circle for this day of remembrance,” said Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Mike Linnington, Wounded Warrior Project CEO. “As we honor those who lost their lives in the terror attacks of 9/11, we must also remember the more than 3 million men and women who stepped forward to fight for us in the days, months, and years that followed. A great deal will be said about the War on Terror in the coming years, but most importantly we owe our veterans more than a debt of gratitude for their service and sacrifice. They fought bravely for our country, for the vulnerable, and for each other. Their service and sacrifice are not forgotten. We stand together to remember all who died and all who served.”
The programming will begin with a three-hour live special, Coffee, Country & Cody: Remembers 9/11. Hosted by Bill Cody and Michael “CQ” Carrasquillo, the show will spotlight the personal experience of veterans and Wounded Warrior Project reps from 9/11, and how that day influenced their military careers. As the day progresses, the special will include notable Veterans and Memorial Days performances, a stand-up comedy show featuring veterans, various episodes of Craig Morgan’s Craig’s World that celebrate our country, and more.
Hosted by Bobby Bones, Songs from September: The Music That Healed A Nation will air from 6 – 8 p.m. EST as artists recall the music that helped shepherd them through those dark days after the towers fell, and the day will end with a special edition of Opry Live.
Airing 8 – 10pm EST, the show will be filled with warrior stories and performances from legendary country artists from the Opry stage, and special musical tributes from three September 11 memorial sites: Ground Zero, the Pentagon, and Shanksville. The special will feature numerous country stars and will be hosted by Charles Esten, and will also be livestreamed on Circle All Access’ Twitter, Facebook and YouTube channels.
Circle Remembers 9/11 presented by Wounded Warrior Project will air from 8 am to 12 am EST on Saturday, September 11th, with both new and memorable performances and shows, as follows:
8-11:00 AM EST
Coffee, Country & Cody: Remembers 9/11
Description: Circle Network and WSM Radio partner with the Wounded Warrior Project to remember the lives lost and forever changed on September 11, 2001.
11-11:30 AM EST
Craig’s World
Description: After a break from songwriting following the tragic loss of his son, “The Father, My Son, and the Holy Ghost” has topped the charts
11:30-12 AM EST
Craig’s World
Description: Craig promised his son-in-law he will run a half marathon in frigid temperatures- the same day as a big concert across the state. Will Craig’s endless energy be enough?
12-12:30 PM EST
Craig’s World
Description: Craig travels to the annual Grand Ole Opry Duck Hunt, where some of country music’s finest take a few days to relax, swap stories, and play music
12:30-1 PM EST
Craig’s World
Description: Craig sings the national anthem at a Nashville Predators game and hopes he can conquer his nerves and remember the lyrics. Craig performs at the Grand Ole Opry the evening after the Tennessee tornadoes.
1-2 PM EST
Opry
Description: Craig Morgan, singer-songwriter Brantley Gilbert and country musician Justin Moore perform at the Opry in Nashville, TN.
2-3 PM EST
Opry
Description: Luke Combs, Lauren Alaina and Chris Young Salute The Troops
3-6 PM EST
Coffee, Country & Cody: Remembers 9/11 (encore for West Coast audiences)
Description: Circle Network and WSM Radio partner with the Wounded Warrior Project to remember the lives lost and forever changed on September 11, 2001.
6-8 PM EST
Songs from September: The Music That Healed A Nation
Description: Bobby Bones curates a tour of music that came in the aftermath of the September 11 events. Artists recall the music from that time that helped them manage those difficult and uncertain times.
8-10 PM EST
Opry Live
Description: A live Grand Ole Opry featuring Vince Gill, Charles Esten and more with WWP storytelling throughout
10-12 AM EST
Songs from September: The Music That Healed A Nation (encore for primetime west coast audiences)
Description: Bobby Bones curates a tour of music that came in the aftermath of the September 11 events. Artists recall the music from that time that helped them manage those difficult and uncertain times.
12 AM EST
Opry Live (encore for primetime west coast audiences)
Description: Grand Ole Opry featuring Vince Gill, Charles Esten and more with WWP storytelling throughout
