Keith & Kristyn Getty performed this week on the historic Ryman Auditorium stage for their 3^rd appearance at the Grand Ole Opry.  The enthusiastic crowd was treated to a performance with the duo's American-Irish band and featured songs from their latest project, Hymns for the Christian Lifeand their holiday recording, Joy - An Irish Christmas.  The strong response has led to another booking at the Grand Ole Opry, Saturday, December 22^nd.

 "Kristyn and I were thrilled to be back at the Opry and this time at the Ryman," says Keith Getty.  "You can trace the history of country and bluegrass music all the way back to Ireland, so for two kids from Belfast, being at the Opry is like being home among our people.  Then add the rich history of the Ryman Auditorium and its beginnings as the Union Gospel Tabernacle, we were so happy to be sharing hymns and carols in a building that has heard them sung for more than a century."

The Gettys were raised in , but relocated to two years ago, and their international sound has struck a chord with a wide-range of music genres and demographics.  As a result, such artists as Alison Krauss and Ricky Skaggs are featured on their current project, with Skaggs scheduled to share the stage with the holiday ensemble at the in , on December 23^rd.   This is the final date of the highly successful 18-city Joy - An Irish Christmas Tour that launched in , on November 29^th. 

The inaugural Christmas tour last year was met with remarkable support from sold-out performances, high-profile media coverage, and enthusiastic audiences.  The second tour has already sold-out 12 of the 18 dates, with the tickets of the remaining appearances selling very quickly.  Joy - An Irish Christmas is being booked at major venues such as 's Cullen Theater at , 's , The Bob Carr Performing Arts Center in , , and the in .  Besides American and Irish musicians, the concert also features Irish dancers and an international musical sound that includes Eastern European, Basque, and American bluegrass influences.  In a tradition that began last year, there will be a post-concert performance with the band in the lobby of each venue as a joyful way for the audience to continue the holiday festivities.  The planning for the 3^rd Annual Christmas tour is already underway with major venue announcements coming in 2013.

About Keith & Kristyn Getty

The Gettys met in , when they began songwriting together.  They were married in 2004, and two years later they recorded their first project as a couple in the and ,   In 2007, they made the journey overseas to and lived in for three years as they began their professional career, but found their permanent home in , July 2010.   In 2011, the Gettys welcomed a new addition to their family when their daughter, Eliza Joy, was born.  The Gettys have released 4 albums and have garnered incredible success in 6 short years that include an acclaimed repertoire of 21st century hymns and one of the most impactful live performances.  The couple has appeared at Franklin Graham crusades, the GMA Dove Awards, The Third Lausanne Conference on World Evangelization, as well as feature performances at 's Royal Albert Hall, the legendary Grand Ole Opry, along with many other noted platforms.   One of Keith Getty's most popular compositions is In Christ Alone, co-written with Stuart Townend and released in 2001.  The song was well-received that year but continues to grow in popularity, remaining the #1 most-sung-hymn in the UK since 2006 (CCLI) and finding position among the top 20 such songs in the United States, Canada, and Australia.