THE NASHVILLE REPORT: The death last week...

THE NASHVILLE REPORT: The death last week of Grand Ole Opry patriarch Roy Acuff isn’t the only sign of change at the venerable, conservative country music institution.

Singer Marty Stuart is urging the Grand Ole Opry directors to install him, in effect, as a catalyst to help attract more young pop-rock fans to the Opry radio broadcasts. Stuart thinks it’d be great to have such non-country performers as John Hiatt and Chris Isaak appearing in guest roles.

Some Opry veterans, including Minnie Pearl, are expressing support for the idea, though others, including longtime Acuff sideman Pete (Brother Oswald) Kirby, have been critical of any youth movement.

Opry general manager Hal Durham is noncommittal, saying he will continue to look for ways to “improve” the show and will consider potential guests one by one. Such rock-influenced performers as Steve Earle, Dwight Yoakam and Tanya Tucker have been turned down as guests in the past.