The Grand Ole Opry
So, funny story. The Grand Ole Opry is pretty tight with security. They run a tight ship and do things the same every time. Not only that, but backstage is a really small area and not a lot of people are let in there. Simple enough. Those are just always the rules.
The last time ‘MercyMe’ played at The Opry, it was billed as just Bart and they literally had to buy me a ticket to get in and take some pictures from the seats. We ended up with one or two decent pictures from the balcony, and that’s about it. This year we were determined to get some actual ‘backstage’ documentation.
There were three of us, Sam (stage manager on The Roadshow), Evan (an aspiring senior in high school looking to get into the music business) and myself. Getting three people in was going to be tricky….. Until we saw them loading in MercyMe gear in the back alley. Grab a guitar, and you’re in. We’ve officially ‘snuck’ backstage at The Grand Ole Opry. Only thing is, the MercyMe guys aren’t there yet. No problem, we’ll just hang out in that tight, small, crowded hallway that they didn’t want us to in the first place.
So here we are, taking up space, holding guitars that we weren’t there to be holding and down the hall walks Ricky Skaggs. Now, I’ll admit, at first I didn’t know exactly who he was, but I knew he was someone I recognized.
Finally the MercyMe guys get there and we head up to their dressing room, take some pictures, make some video and they head to the stage to play their three songs. Evan got to walk to out and switch guitars with Barry, a couple more pictures taken and then the building cleared out.
All in all a pretty cool evening for not knowing what was going to happen. Every once in a while I really start to wonder if this is really my job.
That’s awesome, Brody! You can officially mark “sneaking into the Grand Ole Opry” off of your bucket list!
Pretty dang cool! I toured the Grand Ole Opry last year, and the backstage is pretty small-but lots of great history! Glad you got to “sneak” in-those are great memories!
How DID you get that job?!
Must be fun job for sure!
Hmmm … grab a guitar and walk on into the Opry … gonna have to remember that the next time I am in Nashville.
we don’t worry about what your job is when BRODY is in the house. we know we’re going to get the scoop and great photos and videos. i think that perhaps you are the ultimate multitasker!! we all love you and what you do to keep us fans in the loop. it might be time to ask for a raise, we’ll give you a great reference. take care and keep doing what you do.
Nope, I wouldn’t have had a CLUE who he was…
Great time! What a special guy you are this week.
Hair cut…..check
Sneaking into Grand Ole Opry…..check
Outfit shopping for Doves…..check (I think)
Tickets for Doves….check
Doves……in a few hours……check (with ticket this time
You & Kristin have a glorious time!
Funny thing is–grabbing a guitar and loading in MM’s gear to sneak into the back of the Opry like some kind of stalker is so NOT your job! That’s what I find so funny about this story =) On the other hand–soak it up Brody-let reality sink in–this is your job–you are in the industry to stay man. You have made yourself a permanent fixture by doing what you do and doing it well.
That only reason that worked is because you are an invissible Ninja.
I’m gonna be visiting Nashville again soon (hopefully), I will keep that in mind.
What an adventure for you and Evan. Thanks for calling and telling us. Something Evan will never forget.
THATS SO COOL!!!
that is all.
-Markus
The key is acting like you know what you are doing and like you belong there. ;-D LOL. Glad you’re having fun. God Bless~
I actually have no clue who he is. I recognize everyone else in that picture though!
Wow Brody, you lead such an exciting life. I wish I had a job like yours.
This made me laugh.
And btw, I can’t believe you didn’t know who Ricky Skaggs was right away. Come on!
Okay, yea I admit it… I had to click on the “Ricky Skaggs” link.