Hallmark fan favorites Nikki DeLoach and Kristoffer Polaha are starring in a cinematic first for the network: A Grand Ole Opry collaboration, featuring a country music star!
Nikki and Kris will co-star in A Grand Ole Opry Christmas, a film set to be released this holiday season. Production begins soon, and will take place at iconic locations (including the Grand Ole Opry House!)
Country music star Brad Paisley is set to create and perform original songs for the newest Hallmark film, and, in a fun surprise, he’ll also craft and record the theme for the network’s upcoming 2025 Countdown to Christmas campaign.
Keep reading to find out more…
Here’s the synopsis of the movie: Gentry Woods (DeLoach), daughter of late country music icon Jett Woods – half of the famed duo Winter and Woods – abandoned her dream of a songwriting career and distanced herself from her father’s legacy following his tragic car accident 30 years prior. When the Grand Ole Opry invites her to represent Jett at their centennial celebration at Christmas, she’s hesitant to return to the place steeped in bittersweet memories. Encouraged by her good friends, Gentry visits the Opry and, while seated in one of the vaunted venue’s oak church pews, is suddenly transported to 1995. Gentry’s lifelong friend Mac (Polaha) a country music talent manager, finds himself in 1995 as well. Thanks to some Christmas magic, Gentry gets precious time with her father, creative inspiration to finish the song she began decades earlier as a teen and learns surprising answers to questions about her father that have followed her for the last three decades.
“The Hallmark Channel to me is a major part of finding the joy and the spirit of the holidays,” Brad said in a statement. “We turn it on and leave it on in our house like Christmas tree lights or decorations, it’s a major part of the atmosphere for us. I loved the challenge of creating that same magic with this music by letting it take you to the same place that these movies and this world Hallmark has built. Can’t wait for you to hear what all we’ve done. Also, knowing the Opry is the setting for one of these movies is very inspiring.”
“As the Grand Ole Opry celebrates its 100th birthday this year, this is the perfect time for us to partner with this beloved, iconic American institution and create Christmas magic together,” Darren Abbott, Chief Brand Officer, Hallmark, said in a statement. “Nikki and Kris are fan favorites and we know they will beautifully bring to life this emotional and heartfelt story that is sure to become an instant classic.”
“Having the incredibly talented Brad Paisley write and perform original music for the movie is what Christmas dreams are made of. And we’re equally excited to have him write and record an original song that will be the soundtrack of our on-air campaign throughout the season,” Darren added.
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