Bill Murray Shows Up to Opry to Support John Prine and The SteelDrivers

Bill Murray has recently been putting together quite a side career that involves appearing in the most random places to support cool country and roots artists. Murray did this in May when he showed up to the dive bar Filthy McNasty’s in Ft. Worth to take in the music of some local songwriters while in town for a golf tournament.

As a big fan of Chris Stapleton’s first band The Steeldrivers, Murray’s been spotted at numerous shows for the bluegrass outfit, including last November when he appeared at the Charleston Music Hall in South Carolina and bought all the remaining tickets for the show, handing them out to fans. Bill Murray has also been a huge fan of songwriter and reigning 2-time Americana Artist of the Year John Prine, recently participating in a video about how Prine saved him during a dark period in his life.

So when both Prine and The SteelDrivers were scheduled to play The Grand Ole Opry together Tuesday (9/25) evening, Bill Murray decided to make his way to Nashville to take it in, and take the Opry stage, even singing himself during Prine’s song “Paradise” as part of the segment. Opry attendees got a special treat as Murray sauntered on stage in a blue shirt and fisherman’s vest. It’s one of those unique moments the prestige of the Opry stage helps create.

Afterward Bill Murray hung out backstage, taking photos with the respective performers on the night. Earlier in the week, Murray had been spotted at the Nashville airport, randomly helping people carry their bags. Bill Murray first met The SteelDrivers in 2010 when he played the part of a funeral parlor owner in the movie Get Low, starring Robert Duvall and Sissy Spacek. The SteelDrivers contributed heavily to the movie’s soundtrack, and that’s where Murray’s fandom was struck.