Kelsea Ballerini talking to the press in Studio A attached to the backstage of the Opry prior to her induction.
It was a night filled with emotion and excitement Tuesday night at the Grand Ole Opry, as 25-year-old Kelsea Ballerini prepared to become the newest and youngest member of the Opry.
Opry member and superstar, Carrie Underwood, graciously was there to officially induct and welcome Ballerini to the Opry family. Following the 3-song set by Kelsea Ballerini and then Underwood coming onto the stage for the induction, the two sang Trisha Yearwood’s iconic country hit, “Walkaway Joe”, together to the delight of the audience and backstage onlookers alike watching from the sides and pews in the back on stage.
Opry member and just named ACM Entertainer of the Year, Keith Urban, was also on hand to welcome Ballerini to the Opry family and made a special surprise appearance to perform in the hallowed circle on the Opry stage.
Prior to Kelsea Ballerini’s induction later that night, she took the time to speak with the press in attendance about what the night meant to her and more. She spoke with such humility and was filled with such emotion over the meaning of being inducted to the Opry, stopping once to cry in happiness. Only 4 years after making her Opry debut, being invited to become an Opry member is something quite incredible in any country artist’s career. The young country star has captured the hearts of fans and the music community alike with her infectious smile and enthusiasm. It was very obvious this was a night that dreams are made of for her and she could not have been more grateful to be there stating that, “30 years from now” after she is no longer being played regularly on the radio or wherever life takes her that “I can always come here and I can always play country music”.
Afterwards, there was a celebration backstage in Studio A that connects to the Opry backstage area and was the original home of the “Hee Haw” set and so much more. Kelsea Ballerini and all her guests that included family, her record label, and more enjoyed a tasty Mexican food theme in a purple lit and decorated room. (I have feeling purple is probably her favorite color and why it was chosen as the theme for the night.) It was also Taco Tuesday, after all, so we all enjoyed some delicious tacos and more along with the special “Miss Me More” margaritas aptly-named in honor of Ballerina’s most recent hit off her sophomore album entitled, UNAPOLOGETICALLY. Fans will be happy to know that she is already working on her third album as we speak, so new music should be on the way very soon.
Being a member of the Opry is forever and it is truly like a family, where the Opry family members and their guests can gather and catch up backstage at the Grand Ole Opry in the Family Room just next to the entrance/exit to the stage. The Family Room is decorated beautifully with plenty of comfortable chairs and couches to visit while watching the show from backstage. Photos of special Opry moments throughout the years fill all the walls along with a pretty mural depicting the Opry stage. On the wall shows where the food waters reached several years ago during the Nashville Flood that devastated so many in Nashville and damaged many structures including the Opry as several feet of flood water from the nearby river filled the hallowed Opry House throughout the structure. Guests can sip on lemonade, coffee, and tea while they munch on some freshly-made popcorn (nothing alcoholic is served in the Family Room or inside the dressing rooms of the Opry).
Afterwards, we all gathered in Studio A again as Kelsea Ballerini and Opry President Sally Williams spoke briefly. Then, Ballerini was presented with a framed Hatch Print specially made to remember this special moment in her life and career just before cutting the large cake that was made to celebrate the occasion. According to Opry President Sally Williams, “we love cake at the Opry”. Doesn’t everyone? You just can’t properly enjoy a special occasion without cutting into some cake. Glad to hear you can often have cake if backstage at the Opry. I can attest to this Opry fact. Just the few times I have been fortunate enough to be backstage there, I have enjoyed some cake more than once!
Congratulations to Kelsea Ballerini on such an incredible honor! The Opry is truly like a family filled with rich tradition and reverence towards remembering country’s rich roots while looking forward to the future bringing new artists into the Opry family fold.
Even as just a guest and member of the press, I feel the electricity when I step backstage at the Opry and stand sidestage. I know I will never sing in the circle on that iconic stage or sit in one of their beautifully-decorated dressing rooms that each have different themes and appropriately named after some Opry legends awaiting my turn to take the stage, but I still feel so honored when I am invited to come backstage and to get to be there for such a special and magical occasion makes it even better. I might have gotten a little emotional a time or two myself last night as I helped celebrate her special achievement.
