Lizzie Chladek The Grand Ole Opry has been the home of country music for 98+ years. It was filled with anticipation on May 7, 2024 in Nashville, TN for a great night of music. The venue bustled as people packed into the wood pews and a loud murmur crowds the space as anticipation grows for a Tuesday night at the Opry. Featuring musicians: Riders In The Sky, Frank Ray, Charlie McCoy, Craig Morgan, Ashley McBryde, and Lady A.
Riders In the Sky
What better way to start the set than with your “theme song?”. The group, consisting of Woody Paul, Ranger Doug, Fred LaBour & sub Jeff Taylor, took the stage in their western gear & began with the song, “Texas Plains”. People began to clap along as they made their way to their seats for the night. “46 years the cowboy way!” the group said in unison as they each placed a hand on their hip & transitioned into their next song, “Ol’ Cowpoke,” with yodels from the stage echoed back by the audience. The group continued playing their songs, whistling along, and dancing too (specifically Woody Paul going WILD on the fiddle). The group closed with their rendition of “Happy Trails” by Roy Rodgers. This leaving the audience with a farewell of “happy trails until we meet again.”
Frank Ray
His silver necklace dangles as he swept onto the stage, beginning by singing the first song of his set, “Country’d Look Good on You”. While also ad libbing “Country sure looks good out here at the Grand Ole Opry.” The lights strobed around, highlighting every cowboy hat in the room. Everyone nodded along to a top 20 Billboard Country charting hit. Frank took a moment to pause and stress the importance of being yourself. He explained how being himself has led to discovering his style. Which he defines as “a blend of latin and country”, creating his legacy and what ultimately represents who he is.
He continued into his next song. “Uh-huh (Ajá)”, which had never been played live before until this evening on the Opry stage. The guitarist does a little salsa, dancing along with Ray who is a full embodiment of the 🕺 emoji. He ended his set by spinning in circles & encouraging the crowd to join in on the energy by clapping along.
Charlie McCoy
Charlie Mcoy offered the Opry crowd a real treat as he stepped inside the circle & pulled out his shining, silver harmonica. The legend, who has played with names like Elvis Presley, Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash, and Dolly Parton, started by taking the crowd all the way back to the 1940s with the song “Chattanooga Choo Choo.” His playing offered a unique break from what the Tuesday night show had consisted of thus far.
After, he stated he is going to continue by playing a song with a really important message. He discussed this is “something the world could really use.” His harmonica starts up again and “Love Revolution” plays. As the Opry stage glowed pink and everyone in the crowd slowly clapped along with the beat. The grand finale, “Orange Blossom Special”, forced audience members to smile a little more & tap their feet with the familiar tune.
Craig Morgan
The crowd’s energy levels were high for Craig Morgan’s appearance on the Opry Stage. He came out in his trusty grey t-shirt & blue jeans, he began to sing his Number 2 Billboard Hot Country Songs chart hit, “Redneck Yacht Club.” People KNEW this one – the Opry filled with all voices singing along. That didn’t stop Morgan from poking fun, saying the singing was “terrible, like being at a Blake Shelton show, but don’t put that on Instagram he’s sensitive.”
Once the chuckles ceased, his guitar was strapped to him so quickly that if you blinked you might’ve missed it. He sang, “That’s What I Love About Sunday”. With the slow movement causing audience members to raise their hands. Especially during the “Mama’s hand is raised up high” line. Morgan then sang “That Ain’t Gonna Be Me,” bringing all the patriotic vibes. He even tacked on the pledge of allegiance at the end of the song. People were brought to their feet, making it a great way to end the first segment of the show before a 15 minute intermission.
Ashley McBryde
Before the ACM Awards on May 16th, Ashley McBryde strode onstage, offering to sing-a-little-something for the Tuesday evening crowd. She started off by singing “First Thing I Reach For”. As she sang “You think a girl on fire would stay away from gasoline,” she adamantly shook her head and mouthed the word “no”, provoking laughter from the audience. She continued with a cover of “Maybe It Was Memphis” by Pam Tillis. Tons of women started to stand and dance along, indicating a big hit among the crowd. McBryde does not halt the lovey dovey feelings and went on to play, “Home Sweet Highway.” She finished with “6th of October”, a song that has never been played on the Opry stage. It left the audience with an encouraging reminder “to not be afraid of our scars, or who we are.”
Lady A
Hillary Scott, Charles Kelley, and Dave Haywood entered the Opry spotlight to close out the night with a BANG. Among the audience was a man in a Hawaiian shirt & sunglasses, enjoying himself during “I Run To You”. The group then transitioned into their CMA Award winner “Bartender”. A perfect fit, resonating with the Nashville crowd. The next song they played wass “Stop Draggin ‘My Heart Around” originally written by Tom Petty and sung by Stevie Nicks. And Charles Kelley swaggers his feet along with the group’s version of the song, adding snaps during the bridge.
“Love You Back” follows, bringing a general nod showing the crowd’s connection with loving a memory but the memory being unable to… love you back (hence the song’s title). The final song of the night was one that needed no introduction. It only took a few seconds for everyone’s face to start beaming and cheers to erupt. “Picture perfect memories scattered all around the floor,” which is the opening line of “Need You Now” was belted throughout. The Opry audience refused to let the song end as people continue to sing “I just need you now” over and over as they filtered out of the pews of the historic venue.
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