Grand Ole Opry Circle Throwdown Series Heading to the Beach for Tortuga Music Festival

The Grand Ole Opry® in partnership with Huka Entertainment and Tortuga Music Festival are set to take the Opry’s popular Circle Throwdown series to Fort Lauderdale Beach Park in Fort Lauderdale, Florida April 7 – 9.

Tortuga festival-goers will be treated to pop-up performances from top country artists behind the Opry’s signature microphone stand, throwing down a replica of the famed circle of wood from center stage at the Opry House, a la an “Opry Circle Throwdown.” Fans from around the world can watch the Circle Throwdowns live through Grand Ole Opry and Tortuga Music Festival Facebook pages.

“Surprise performances have always been in the mix at Tortuga ... year five of the festival felt like the right time to take it to the next level and partner with an iconic brand, Grand Ole Opry,” said Evan Harrison, CEO for HUKA Entertainment. “Our fans will love a little taste of Opry Throwdowns on the beach!"

Opry Circle Throwdowns pay homage to the celebrated circle of wood cut from the stage of the historic Ryman Auditorium and placed center stage at the Grand Ole Opry House when the renowned venue opened in 1974. Today’s country music newcomers aspire to play on the same circle where musical heroes such as Patsy Cline, Johnny Cash, Bill Monroe, Dolly Parton, and Willie Nelson have performed.

Suggested Tweet: The @Opry is headed for the beach! Can’t wait to see an oceanfront #Opry #CircleThrowdown at @FestivalTortuga!

Please note: The deadline to apply for media credentials is Mar. 15. Apply by visiting tortugamusicfestival.com/press.

About the Grand Ole Opry
The Grand Ole Opry® is presented by Humana®. Opry performances are held every Friday and Saturday of the year, with Tuesday Night Opry shows mid-February through mid-December. To plan an Opry visit, call (800) SEE-OPRY or visit opry.com. The Opry presents the best in country music live every week from Nashville, Tenn. Marking more than nine decades of entertainment, the Opry can be heard at opry.com and wsmonline.com, Opry and WSM mobile apps, SiriusXM Satellite Radio, and its flagship home, 650 AM-WSM. The Grand Ole Opry is owned by Ryman Hospitality Properties (NYSE: RHP). For more information, visit opry.com.

Grand Ole Opry on the web:
Web: opry.com
Twitter/Instagram: @opry #Opry #CircleThrowdown
Facebook: facebook.com/grandoleopry

About Tortuga Music Festival:
Tortuga Music Festival, produced and promoted by HUKA Entertainment, features multiple stages with unparalleled VIP amenities for viewing some of the hottest and most unique artists in country, rock, and roots music. Ranked as #18 in Top Festivals worldwide by industry trade magazine Pollstar in 2016. Country superstars Kenny Chesney, Luke Bryan, and Chris Stapleton are headlining this year’s festival, highlighting what is the best lineup yet to celebrate the festival’s fifth year. The 2017 Tortuga Music Festival will take place Friday, April 7, Saturday, April 8 and Sunday, April 9, 2017 on the sands of Fort Lauderdale Beach Park in Fort Lauderdale, FL. Last year’s festival drew a record-breaking attendance of more than 90,000 music fans from all over the world. The event serves to celebrate HUKA’s destination location theme with the festival’s ocean-side setting while still raising awareness of issues impacting the world’s oceans and supporting marine research and conservation, as well as protection of the festival’s namesake – sea turtles that nest annually along South Florida’s Atlantic seaboard. To this date more than $300,000 has been raised to support these efforts.

Tortuga Music Festival on the web:
Web: tortugamusicfestival.com
Twitter: @FestivalTortuga #TortugaFest #CheersTo5YearsYall
Instagram: @TortugaMusicFestival #TortugaFest #CheersTo5YearsYall
Snapchat: @TortugaFest
Facebook: facebook.com/tortugamusicfestival

About Huka Entertainment:
Huka Entertainment is a leading creator and producer of large scale destination-location music festivals, including the Pemberton Music Festival situated on 300 pristine acres at the base of Mt. Currie in Britsh Columbia, and the Tortuga Music Festival on the white sandy beaches of Fort Lauderdale, FL. Best known for creating groundbreaking fan, VIP and artist experiences, the company was the creative force and producer of the award-winning Hangout Music Festival in Gulf Shores, AL. Based in New Orleans with deep roots in Gulf Coast culture, the fully independent Huka Entertainment also co-produces the Buku Music + Art Project in New Orleans located on the banks of the Mississippi river, and has a growing touring division which promotes hundreds of concerts across North America annually. For more information, visit huka.com.

About Rock The Ocean:
The Rock The Ocean Foundation is dedicated to supporting scientific research, education and increasing public awareness about the issues impacting the world's oceans. RTO teams up with high profile musical artists and entertainers, who will perform and participate in events that educate the public on marine conservation. RTO, founder Chris Stacey is an avid ocean lover, diver and 20 year music industry veteran. Tortuga Music Festival will bring to life his vision, uniting the best and brightest in music, working to raise awareness about the issues currently impacting our oceans and their delicate ecosystems. For more information, visit rocktheocean.com.