Over the past few years, I have had the joy and honor of attending multiple Grand Ole Opry shows. Last year, I attended two performances, and this week, I got to participate in my first Grand Ole Opry show of 2020. During the performance on Tuesday, February 11th, I got to see Jeanie Seely, Maggie Rose, Darius Rucker, Jimmie Allen, Dale Watson, and Luke Combs.
Before that evening, I had never listened to Maggie Rose and had only known of her because of an event she had with CMA Edu, but her performance absolutely blew me away. Rose’s soulful voice is absolutely stunning, and the unreleased songs she performed will undoubtedly be some of my favorites. Recently, she has been down in Muscle Shoals recording new music. I’m really excited to see what’s next for her career!
On this evening, I was most excited to see the two Carolina boys, Darius Rucker and Luke Combs. Growing up, I didn’t listen to as much country music, as you think. I grew up on rock, alternative, and pop. Hootie & the Blowfish is one of my favorite bands, and I remember when my dad used to burn CDs with songs by Hootie, Third Eye Blind, and Matchbox Twenty for his car. Rucker’s voice is one that you can never forget.
When it came to Luke Combs coming on stage, I was a little scared. I first saw Luke live at CMA Fest 2018, and like every other country fan in the stadium, I was on my feet singing along to every word, but a few weeks before the Grand Ole Opry show, I was disappointed by his Saturday Night Live performance. I thought the sound was terrible. On the other hand, his Grand Ole Opry performance stunned me. He brought a smile to my face and tears to my eyes with his performance of “Even Though I’m Leaving” from his most recent album, What You See Is What You Get.
Working at the Grand Ole Opry House and attending the live radio show brings me a lot of joy. When I started my job there, I never knew how much I could and would learn about the history of country music and a tradition that will celebrate it’s 95th Anniversary this year.
music city girl 