Veteran background singer closes out Opry career

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Carol Lee Cooper has closed out a 40-year career as a background singer on Nashville's Grand Ole Opry.

Cooper, the daughter of the late Opry performers Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper, marked the end of her Opry career Saturday night as a portion of the country music show was performed in her honor.

She has led the Opry's Carol Lee Singers since 1972. The three remaining members of the group will continue at the Opry as "The Opry Singers."

The Opry has been performed regularly since 1925. It bills itself as the oldest, continuously running radio show in the world.

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