31 years (minus 16 months)

"The Grand Ole Opry, to a country singer, is what Yankee Stadium is to a baseball player. Broadway to an actor. It's the top of the ladder, the top of the mountain. You don't just play the Opry; you live it." -- Bill Anderson

31 years minus 16 months is how long Luke has lived in Nashville. I've only been here since 2002. But neither of us have been to the Grand Ole Opry--besides in high school when I had TNT with church. I heard a commercial the other day that mentioned some names. Oddly enough I missed the Rascal Flatts, Keith Urban, Ricky Scaggs part & only heard Lennon and Maisy and Kree Harrison and Kellie Pickler. COME ON, the most adorable sisters off of the show Nashville and the runner up on American Idol? And another fave from Idol. Yes, the girls really are sisters. Yes, they are amazing. Yes, I've been addicted to their Youtube for quite a while. I wasn't really sure about Kree Harrison. I know the judges raved about her on the show, but at the end I just never really thought she sounded that great. But I know she is bff with Kacey Musgraves--maybe she'd be around or even sing with her!

Once we decided to buy tickets, we saw who else was playing and we got super excited! It happened to be the night before my niece's 9th birthday, so I figured we'd call and see if they wanted to come down and go with us. We had a GREAT time! Apparently, from everyone else in line around us, they've always just walked up and walked into their seats. No one had ever seen the Opry like this. We had to stand outside in line a good 20-30 minutes ( we barely got a parking space about 9:10 & the show started at 9:30). There was definitely a lot of excitement in the air. We were all excited too.

When Luke called to get tickets, since he had never been in the building, he just asked what the best tickets left were. We were on the far right side on the lower level of the balcony. The seats were great--no complaints. But no one told us you can walk down to the stage if you're down there on the floor! We know for next time ;) Maybe we could have too, but that was too many steps.

Little Miss Dancing with the Stars winner kicked off the night. Oh my. I need to be on that show! One day I'll wear a dress like that again ;) LOVE HER. She sang her new single and of course Red High Heels and another.

A little bit of Diamond Rio.

Some Grand Ole Bill Anderson. Amazing shirt.

AHH! Yes, I squealed like a little girl. Enough so that the little girl in front of us turned to look at me =)

Lennon and Maisy! I forget what they sang first, but they did sing Ho Hey and Ring of Fire.

Ricky Scaggs

YAY Rascal Flatts! I know they sang What hurts the Most, but can't remember what else. It was getting late, and I was getting excited for the rest of the show! They were GREAT!

Keith Urban coming out to introduce Kree Harrison on her Opry Debut!

Singing her Idol single All Cried Out

She said she told my dad a long time ago if she ever made the Opry she'd sing his favorite hymn which was In the Gardens.

And He walks with me, and He talks with me,
And He tells me I am His own;
And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other has ever known.



She also sang Help me Make it Through the Night with THIS GUY.

Standing ovation for her first time singing at the Opry! She is AMAZING! I absolutely love her voice. She did PHENOMENAL!

What an incredible ending to the night!

The crowd was on their feet.

Oh, he's my new favorite artist right now.

We had an amazing time. We love the atmosphere. We're not big concert goers, but this is something we can't BELIEVE we haven't done before! When we moved back I told Luke that we MUST do more Nashville things since we live here. This was #1.We will be back for sure!

Oh, and I ran into theses guys out front.

I won't comment on that interaction. But I got a sweet pic.