For Lainey Wilson, Playing The Opry Is Always ‘Such An Honor’
She made her Opry debut on Valentine's Day last year!
Rising country star Lainey Wilson has just been named the August featured artist for the Opry NextStage program.
Developed by Opry Entertainment Group and the Grand Ole Opry, Opry NextStage invests in the discovery and development of new artists and highlights one up-and-coming artist per month. It was initially launched in 2019 with four emerging talents making waves in country music: Riley Green, Tegan Marie, Tenille Townes and Travis Denning.
This year, Nashville-based country breakout artist Hailey Whitters served as the inaugural artist for 2021, followed by Parker McCollum.
“I’m truly honored to be named the latest Opry NextStage artist and am so grateful for their unbelievable support of the next generation of Country music,” Wilson shares in a recent press statement.
It truly has been a full-circle moment for the country newcomer, who vividly remembers being at the Opry as a wide-eyed little girl, just awe-struck by the sheer talent on stage. Telling Sounds Like Nashville in a separate interview, she recalls, “I saw Bill Anderson and Little Jimmy Dickens, Phil Vassar, Crystal Gayle. I can remember that feeling in my stomach as a little girl, just knowing that I was going to do that.
Like many newcomers, the Louisiana native pined for the opportunity to play on the Grand Ole Opry stage when she first moved to Nashville, and like a dream come true–she’s been able to several times since. “Everybody that I know of who has moved to Nashville to do this damn thing, their ultimate goal has been to play the Grand Ole Opry,” Wilson shares.
Fortunately for the “Things A Man Oughta Know” singer, on February 14, 2020, she made her long-awaited Grand Ole Opry debut. Though she didn’t have a date per se, Wilson says she had all that she needed for that romantic occasion.
“Oh my gosh! I said, ‘I don’t need no Valentine, what are you talking about? I got the Grand Ole Opry. He’s the best man I’ve ever had!’ And I got more flowers than I could’ve ever had!” the affable songsmith shares with a laugh.
“To be able to have the opportunity to stand there in that same circle and really just soak it up, gah-lee! It is such an honor. Even though I’ve got some big shoes to fill, I still feel like I’m at home.”
“Things A Man Oughta Know” is featured on Wilson’s debut album Sayin’ What I’m Thinkin’, which dropped earlier in February. The hit single currently sits at No. 6 on the Mediabase Country Chart as it makes its way to the top.
Tonight (August 10), the country singer is also set to play the Grand Ole Opry stage to celebrate her new title. Fans can tune in live via WSM Radio.
To find out more information about the Opry NextStage program, visit opry.com/nextstage.
