The 'Space Jam' actor teams up with the country musicians to perform Prine's debut song 'Paradise' at the weekly music event.
- Sep 27, 2018
AceShowbiz - Bill Murray has always been a super fan of John Prine and The SteelDrivers, but he takes his love for the musicians to another level by joining them onstage. The comedian and actor surprised crowd at Grand Ole Opry in Nashville on Tuesday night, September 25 to perform together with Prine and the band.
His appearance at the weekly country music event apparently was something which surprised The SteelDrivers too, because they only expected Prine to join them onstage. After welcoming Prine onstage, banjo player Richard Bailey introduced Murray.
"I was just given a news alert. We have another old friend of the band who we actually appeared in a movie with... Mr. Bill Murray," he said, referring to the actor's 2009 movie "Get Low". Murray then took the stage in a blue shirt and cream vest. He looked relaxed while standing beside bass player Mike Fleming and fiddler Tammy Rogers.
Shortly after that, Prine and The SteelDrivers launched into the former's debut song "Paradise". Murray could be seen watching them before joining to sing the chorus. "And daddy won't you take me back to Muhlenberg County/ Down by the Green River where Paradise lay," they sang. "Well, I'm sorry my son, but you're too late in asking/ Mister Peabody's coal train has hauled it away."
During an instrumental break, Murray took the mic and told the crowd, "This is my first appearance at the Opry."
This is not the first time the "Space Jam" actor unexpectedly popped up at The SteelDrivers' shows. Last year, Murray bought the remaining tickets to one of the Nashville-based band's shows in Charleston, South Carolina and randomly distributed them to fans outside the venue.
