OK, I’m on Cloud #15,467,676,789.
As some of you may know, I played my debut on the Grand Ole Opry on March 2, 2007. I cried my way thru the entire performance. I was crying before we ever started playing, because the tech asked where I wanted my mic. He said, “So do you want your mic in the ‘Circle’?” My response was “DUH!” So, Miss Waterworks over here started boo-hooing before the song even started. Anyway, long story short is that I can never take that moment in my life back and it was THE WORST performance I have ever done on THE MOST IMPORTANT stage I have ever played, and I wouldn’t change a thing. I was petrified that I had screwed up so bad that I was sure that Pete Fisher (the Opry manager) would never allow me to set foot on that stage again, but, in fact, he did: Friday and Saturday night (Aug. 24-25). I got to work on Friday and at both shows on Saturday. I would like you to know that I didn’t cry, but I was really nervous. Loretta Lynn says that if you don’t get “good” nerves before every show, you might just need to find some other line of work. Well, Loretta Lynn, I was nervous enough for everyone there. But it was “good” nerves. Guess I’m in the right line of work then. … HA!
The Grand Ole Opry is an institution for country music, and it is an honor to say that I have played there. Porter Wagoner introduced me Friday night and Jim Ed Brown introduced me Saturday. I have no words for what it feels like to have these LEGENDS that I have literally known of and loved my whole life stand on the stage with me and talk about me and welcome me into their beautiful world of country music like I have been a friend of theirs for the past 30 years.
Their Manuel and Nudie outfits that they all wear make me weak in the knees. These are the most sparkly get-ups you will ever see, and you need sunglasses to stand in the presence of Little Jimmy Dickens because he wears so many rhinestones.
Jimmy C. Newman stopped me backstage to tell me he had enjoyed my performance and asked ME to autograph my CD for him! What?!
Mel McDaniel is still so unbelievably cool and the most down to earth dude I have ever met. All I have to say is, “STAND UP … TESTIFYYYYYYY!”
Jan Howard was a doll, and we went over and sang at the Midnight Jamboree, the second longest-running country music radio program ever. That was such a treat and honor to be asked to do that.
There are so many of these wonderful heroes of mine that are at these Opry shows weekly, and if you have never been, you might wanna consider going. I cannot ever remember getting nervous like I’ve been there. My hands shook to where I almost couldn’t play guitar. But it’s an amazing nervous!! The best part is that two of my really good friends and bandmates got to play it with me.
Traditional country is where it’s at, folks. These people I’m speaking of are the singers and writers that shaped the guys and gals that are country singers today.
The most disheartening part of the whole show for me was afterwards when I walked off stage and someone (who I look up to and love and respect but shall remain nameless) came up to me and said, “WOW, you sang a Kitty Wells song?” (He stated it as a question). I replied, “Yessir.” Well, he then proceeded to tell me that that wasn’t what he was referring to. He said, “Before you sang and as you were introducing the song, you said, ‘Are there any Kitty Wells fans here?’” Half the audience responded. He said it was a disgrace.
I tried to explain to him that this is why I enjoy playing that type of music. I feel obligated to at least do my part in educating those people that don’t know they like real “country” music.
There are so many people that EVERYONE has heard of: Loretta Lynn, Tammy Wynette, Patsy Cline. Well, if you love them, you WILL really LOVE MISS KITTY WELLS. She influenced every single one of them. All of you reading this, if you haven’t heard of her, it’s definitely time that you go get every record you can find with her on it. She is the Queen of Country Music as far as I’m concerned. She doesn’t have the bold and controlled voice that Patsy and Tammy had, but she has this unique voice with such a directness to it, that made you think every time you heard it.
I’m just sayin’ … .
P.S. — The Grand Ole Opry will NEVER be uncool! If I ever sell out an arena, it will not make me as nervous as performing in front of those people that are standing backstage watching you work at the Grand Ole Opry!!
I can’t remember a holiday without the Judds. Last night, I had the true pleasure of seeing Wynonna Judd perform a Christmas special, Holiday Notes From Home: A Christmas Tribute for the Troops at the Grand Ole Opry House. Her mother Naomi even joined her onstage for a couple of the carols. I have to say, I was on a musical high when I left. Not only was I ready for Christmas, but Wynonna’s voice sounded so beautiful, so strong, that I spent the rest of the evening with goose bumps.
Something that always interests me is when an artist shares a personal story, sometimes about where they draw their inspiration or motivation. It may come from very personal experiences or from heroes at a distance — and many times, both. “
Oh, to be in the right place at the right time. Like Saturday night (Sept. 27) when 
Bluegrass in the U.S. is barely a curiosity anymore, not since O Brother. Not so here in Germany. A few stalwart supporters and curious music lovers are enough to make touring viable, but it’s a lot like being in a traveling freak show. You get up on stage and play, some nights you get wild applause and a double encore. Other nights, blank stares. Like Jeremy says, “They looked like they were being milked.” 
How odd to see in a recent ad for 
What a week! I have been in Nashville for about 12 days. We have the CMA parties tonight, and then I’m on the plane and back in Texas by 3 tomorrow. Mexican food, here I come. Hehehe!!
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