I took the week off and blasted down to Nashville, Tenn. for Kid Rock‘s Comedy Jam at the famous Ryman Auditorium. It was his 3rd annual and I’ve been lucky to get to all of them so far. All the proceeds go to multiple charities. Every year it’s a great night of comedy, followed by a party at Kid Rock’s Honky Tonk, down the street.

The next day I swung by Rock’s place. He said he was going to head to the Grand Ole Opry and meet up with country legend, T.G. Sheppard. Around 6 pm we headed towards the Opry. I was pretty excited, as I’d never been to the famous venue in all the times I’d been to Music City. We went in the back through the artist’s entrance, they checked us all in, and away we went through the backstage, inner workings of the Opry. I was told there are about twenty dressing rooms. I don’t think I’d ever been to a music venue with so many. They were all beautiful.

We finally made it to T.G.’s dressing room. Rock was met with hugs and smiles. Everyone was happy he stopped by to check out the show. It was very close to showtime so we didn’t hang back there too long, as T.G. had to take the stage.

That moment finally came. I could feel my heart racing as I was witnessing my first experience at the Grand Ole Opry! I stood sidestage watching the show, taking it all in when Rock was called up to join the show. He was met with a rousing ovation as he walked out!

He told me he’s been on that stage before for things like Johnny Cash’s memorial and George Jones’, too, but this was an actual Opry Live show and he’d never done that before. “What an honor to be up there, especially with my old pal, T.G. Sheppard, and in the presence of country royalty like him and Larry Gatlin.” It was a day off, so Rock had a few beers throughout the day. “I never drink before shows and I’d been drinking all day not knowing I’d end up there!”

Nevertheless, he said he thoroughly enjoyed it. “The energy was electric and the crowd was so wonderful.” He told me he was probably out of key, but it sounded great from where I was. “I attempted to sing my favorite song “Party Time”. Either way, it is what it is and I enjoyed it…I think” HA!

I’m here to tell you, if he didn’t, I did for the both of us. That was a moment I’ll never forget. As I was watching him on that famed stage, I couldn’t help but think back to the early days when we met over twenty-five years ago, and where his life and career had taken him….to this moment in one of the most revered theatres in the world. It was an amazing moment and I was proud and happy for my friend.

Enjoy some pictures from the Opry, and other things we did that night, including a comedy show at Zanies where Kenny Wayne Shepherd and Jelly Roll joined Zack Myers from Shinedown and Chris Porter on stage.