01of 10Alanna McArdleWalking in the artist entrance! When I first pulled up, there was a parking spot sign that read “Grand Ole Opry debut,” the date, and my name on it. I immediately felt so special and welcomed.
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Alanna McArdle
Walking in the artist entrance! When I first pulled up, there was a parking spot sign that read “Grand Ole Opry debut,” the date, and my name on it. I immediately felt so special and welcomed.
02of 10Alanna McArdleThe sweetest guard, Jim Schermerhorn, who’s been a part of the Opry family for decades, greeted me with a poster with the night’s lineup (and my name on it!), a ticket from the box office, and the pamphlet that everyone in the audience got. I will keep these forever!
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The sweetest guard, Jim Schermerhorn, who’s been a part of the Opry family for decades, greeted me with a poster with the night’s lineup (and my name on it!), a ticket from the box office, and the pamphlet that everyone in the audience got. I will keep these forever!
03of 10Alanna McArdleI went almost immediately to soundcheck with the world-renowned Opry band. I purposely didn’t step in the circle yet — I really wanted to save it for my debut moment. We ran through each song and when we ran through my current radio single, “Never Til Now,” it felt a little too drum-heavy or just “busy.” I asked if we could strip it back to really just acoustic and a few slide parts and I’m really glad I did because it felt so much more intimate.
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I went almost immediately to soundcheck with the world-renowned Opry band. I purposely didn’t step in the circle yet — I really wanted to save it for my debut moment. We ran through each song and when we ran through my current radio single, “Never Til Now,” it felt a little too drum-heavy or just “busy.” I asked if we could strip it back to really just acoustic and a few slide parts and I’m really glad I did because it felt so much more intimate.
04of 10Alanna McArdleWe got to the dressing room - Room #4, also known as “Into the Circle,” which is where they put every artist that makes their debut. It’s a beautiful room with tons of pictures and quotes from other artists' debuts. You can just feel the legacy — it’s as if the torch is being passed down to you.
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We got to the dressing room - Room #4, also known as “Into the Circle,” which is where they put every artist that makes their debut. It’s a beautiful room with tons of pictures and quotes from other artists' debuts. You can just feel the legacy — it’s as if the torch is being passed down to you.
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07of 10Alanna McArdleGary came in to ask me to sing “What Hurts the Most” with him during his set — we ran it down with his piano player in my dressing room.
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Gary came in to ask me to sing “What Hurts the Most” with him during his set — we ran it down with his piano player in my dressing room.
08of 10Alanna McArdleI got to bring two of my very best friends with me to the Opry, which was even more special because it was also both of their first times playing. On the right is my guitar player, Chauncey Arner and on the left my producer/co-writer, Jimmy Robbins.
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I got to bring two of my very best friends with me to the Opry, which was even more special because it was also both of their first times playing. On the right is my guitar player, Chauncey Arner and on the left my producer/co-writer, Jimmy Robbins.
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10of 10Alanna McArdleA moment I will never forget. Standing in the circle with Gary LeVox singing a song that I had to have listened to, sang to, and dreamed about hundreds of times growing up. This night will forever be sacred to me. Thank you, Gary LeVox and The Grand Ole Opry for welcoming me into this family with open arms. I truly cannot wait to (hopefully) be back on this stage.
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A moment I will never forget. Standing in the circle with Gary LeVox singing a song that I had to have listened to, sang to, and dreamed about hundreds of times growing up. This night will forever be sacred to me. Thank you, Gary LeVox and The Grand Ole Opry for welcoming me into this family with open arms. I truly cannot wait to (hopefully) be back on this stage.
source: people.com
