Which US President once performed on stage at the Grand Ole Opry?

The Grand Ole Opry is a weekly American country music stage concert in Nashville, Tennessee, founded on November 28, 1925, by George D. Hay as a one-hour radio "barn dance" on WSM. It is the longest-running radio broadcast in US history.

Dedicated to honoring country music and its history, the Opry showcases an eclectic mix of famous singers and contemporary chart-toppers performing country, bluegrass, Americana, folk, and gospel music as well as comedic performances and skits.

Nashville's Grand Ole Opry has seen many stars take its stage, but only one President ever has. In 1974, President Richard Nixon (Jan 1913-Apr 1994) attended the inaugural night at the new Grand Ole Opry House, after it had relocated from the famed Ryman Auditorium. It happened to be his wife, Patricia's, birthday, and the President led the audience in singing "Happy Birthday" and played "My Wild Irish Rose" on the piano.

In a moment of low comedy, the President pulled a yellow yo‐yo from his pocket and presented it to Roy Acuff, known as “King of Country Music” whose act has used a whirring yo‐yo. Then, with the entire spangled, lacquered and booted Opry company singing, clapping and stomping, Mr. Acuff broke into “Stay a Little Longer.”

Nevertheless, the President and Mrs. Nixon departed, to the tune of “Hail to the Chief” played on banjos and fiddles, bluegrass style.

Nixon was not the only President to attend the Grand Ole Opry, but he was the only President to have performed there.