Local country artist from Langenburg Jess Moskaluke will make her Grand Ole Opry debut on October 29th, 2026, following a surprise invitation during the 2026 Canadian Country Music Association awards (CCMA) on September 19th.
Moskaluke was tapped for a last-minute presenter slot when she was surprised with an invitation live during the awards show.
She will perform at the Grand Ole Opry on October 29 alongside a lineup of talent including Terri Clark, Gord Bamford, Paul Brandt and Tenille Arts. Tickets are available now.
Jess is quoted as saying, “I received the surprise of a lifetime on live television during the CCMA Awards Show, right here in my home province of Saskatchewan, with my friends and family in the crowd. I’ve dreamed about a moment like this my entire life, and never in my wildest dreams did I imagine I’d receive an invitation to make my Opry debut in such a perfect way. I’m on cloud nine right now. If this is how it feels just to be invited, I can’t even imagine what it will feel like to actually step into that circle on October 29. Nobody pinch me – I’m terrified I’m going to wake up!”
It is every country musician’s dream to get an invitation to perform at the Grand Ole Opry, the grand stage in Nashville that has hosted legends and rising stars in bluegrass, country, folk and gospel music.
Realizing that dream is why Jess Moskaluke was so excited and at a loss for words when it was announced on Saturday night at the Canadian Country Music Awards that she will soon make her Grand Ole Opry debut.
Wild cheers from the packed SaskTel Centre erupted after the announcement. At the same time, Moskaluke was holding back tears and trying to keep her composure.
“I had no idea. I’ve been lied to all day by my whole team and everyone around me. So, it’s crazy. My parents showed up at the last minute. They were supposed to be at a family wedding tonight, so I thought that was a little weird,” said Moskaluke when she met with reporters later that night.
“It’s pretty incredible. I mean, as I said, I don’t think I’ve fully formulated my thoughts or words yet. Like, I haven’t seen my parents. I don’t even know if my husband and my son know yet, but it’s pretty cool, and if it were ever gonna happen anywhere, I think it would happen at the CCMAs in front of my, not only my actual family, but my country music family is so cool.”
She added that she’s been proud to showcase Saskatchewan.
Moskaluke said it was incredible to hear about the invitation to perform, saying it still felt surreal and like a dream.
“I know I want to leave everything on stage and I want to take in as much of that moment as I can. I’m trying not to get choked up again because it really is the kind of thing that you dream about since you’re a little girl and you really don’t think you’re ever gonna get it, so if there’s ever one stage in one moment that I am truly present for, I really hope it’s that one,” said Moskaluke.
Moskaluke added that she is aiming to release a Christmas album and have new music coming out in 2027.
Following the surprise announcement, Moskaluke also shared her thoughts on social media.
“If you know me, you know I’m rarely speechless. but Saturday night at the @ccmaofficial awards was one of those very rare times when the words wouldn’t come. Being asked to make my @opry debut next month in front of my friends and family, in my home province, felt like every mile of this journey had somehow led me right back home for a moment bigger and more meaningful than I could ever put into words. I’ve spent more than a decade building this career on my own terms, in a way that has always felt honest and right for me. The Grand Ole Opry was one of those dreams that felt so big and far away that I genuinely wasn’t sure it would ever happen.”
Congratulations to Jess from the folks at the Four-Town area and abroad on the amazing accomplishment.