Fellow Maritimers help honour Anne Murray at star-studded Nashville tribute

East Coast legend Anne Murray received a tribute at the Grand Ole Opry.

A Canadian music legend appeared at the Grand Ole Opry House on Monday night.

Eighty-year-old Anne Murray of Springhill, N.S., was celebrated with The Music of My Life: An All-Star Tribute to Anne Murray — a concert honouring her remarkable career.

“You could almost feel the royalty vibes,” said Gordie Sampson in an interview with CTV Atlantic’s Katie Kelly. “She is royal.”

The star-studded lineup included Trisha Yearwood, Martina McBride, k.d. lang and many more.

Sampson took the stage alongside his daughter Amelie Sampson and fellow Nova Scotian Dylan Guthro, son of the late Bruce Guthro.

Together, the trio performed Murray’s classic “Put Your Hand in the Hand,” written by East Coast songwriter Gene MacLellan. “To come up and, I suppose, represent Atlantic Canada as part of the show — it was really special,” said Sampson.

The evening was filled with emotional tributes.

“It was very heartfelt,” said Sampson. “Everybody who got up there had a story. Some of the songwriters up there now are the ones who wrote her big hits.”

For the Grammy-winning Cape Bretoner, finally meeting Murray was unforgettable. “I never met her until yesterday,” said Sampson. “But it’s like you meet her and feel like you’ve known her a long time.”

Murray, one of the most successful and beloved voices in Canadian music, has sold more than 55 million albums worldwide, earned four Grammys, and holds a record 26 Juno Awards, including a lifetime achievement honour.

“She’s clearly an East Coaster,” said Sampson. “It’s like, wow — I’m in the presence of a superstar, but she’s so humble and thoughtful.”