Zach Bryan to Make Grand Ole Opry Debut
In the latest sign that viral songwriting sensation turned singer/songwriting powerhouse Zach Bryan has reached the next level, he’s been tapped for one of the highest distinctions any up-and-coming artist in country music can be bestowed with—permission to stand inside the hallowed circle of wood on the Grand Ole Opry stage and sing.
Zach Bryan will make his Grand Ole Opry debut on the Saturday night Opry on April 10th. The 24-year-old full-time Navy enlistee who is originally from Oklahoma and is currently stationed in Washington State shocked many when he released a super stripped-down and simple album dedicated to his deceased mother DeAnn, and it went viral solely off the sincerity of the sentiments and songwriting. Since then he’s released multiple other projects that have also been well-received.
Due to his commitments to the Navy, Zach Bryan does not have the opportunities for touring as others do. But flying into Nashville to take the stage at the Grand Ole Opry is too sweet of an opportunity to pass up, and even the Navy can make an exception for such an honor. Also appearing on the night are Darrin & Brooke Aldridge, Carly Pearce, Runaway June, Matthew West, and Jordan Davis. The Opry recently expanded its lineups after cutting back to a single hour during the pandemic.
Zach Bryan recently deleted his social media pages, causing some fans to panic and wonder if he was quitting music. But as his manager told Saving Country Music in late February, “Zach is writing an album so he’s focusing on that and stepping back from the public eye for a bit, nothing crazy.”
Zach recently released a couple of recordings he did with producer Dave Cobb called The Studio ‘A’ Recordings, and then released a video for a new song called “Sunday Afternoon” on March 8th (see below).
Zach Bryan’s debut performance will be able to be seen on The Circle Network, or heard on WSM, or can be streamed via The Circle Network, including via the player below. The presentation starts at 7 p.m. Central.
Hank Charles
April 8, 2021 @ 10:38 am
Feels very premature, but good for him.
Someone is pulling strings.
Cool Lester Smooth
April 8, 2021 @ 11:25 am
Dude has more monthly Spotify listeners than Turnpike (nearly double Charley Crockett’s!).
Trigger’s mentioned this before, but Zach Bryan isn’t necessarily “up and coming” – he’s already big.
It’s just through non-traditional channels, because he’s a 24 year old enlisted sailor, but he’s probably the 3rd or 4th biggest name on that bill.
Hank Charles
April 8, 2021 @ 12:55 pm
That may be, but Turnpike didn’t make their Opry debut until the self titled era, long after Goodbye Normal Street should have made some of the competition quit.
Does Zach even have a real band yet? His Lo-Fi barn, Airbnb, and front yard recordings are cool and I enjoy them. But in my opinion, it’s not really a polished product that should be on that stage at this point in time.
And while I think Zach is a great talent, and quite possibly the next “it” guy, he’s still very raw – mostly because he’s not doing this full time yet.
Trigger
April 8, 2021 @ 1:18 pm
Zach Bryan is a Top 5 artist of independent country at the moment, only clearly eclipsed by Tyler Childers and Cody Jinks. Yes, he has little to no touring experience, but it’s because he’s a full-time Navy enlistee who is regularly deployed, and can’t pull it off. I have no problem making an exception for a guy like that to take the Opry stage. Of course someone pulled some strings for this to happen, but that’s pretty much any Opry berth.
Hank Charles
April 8, 2021 @ 2:24 pm
I agree that it’s hard to argue against his numbers right now.
And I might be a dinosaur for thinking this way, but I still think of an Opry berth of as something that is earned from paying dues. While he has good reason, Zach is still light in the pocket in that regard.
Cool Lester Smooth
April 9, 2021 @ 3:15 am
His Washington streaming gig had a full backing band, for what it’s worth.
I do understand feeling that the Opry should be a reward for grinding it out…but the Opry is probably just pumped to have Bryan on the bill, haha.
Hank Charles
April 9, 2021 @ 8:33 am
Nice! I know a few of his recent videos appeared to have some professional support, and I figured it was only a matter of time, but that is good to hear.
That’s true. With the way the last year has gone, venues across the world are looking for a shot in the arm. Bryan should deliver on that one.
Cool Lester Smooth
April 9, 2021 @ 9:09 am
Think they’re looking for a few hundred million shots, haha!
And yeah – it was definitely just his buddies and maybe a couple local players…but it definitely helped him fill out the sound a ton!
Billy Wayne Ruddick
April 8, 2021 @ 5:58 pm
That’s putting it lightly.
Corncaster
April 8, 2021 @ 10:49 am
He’s a good writer. I like the internal rhymes. Kids are bored with illusion. They want sincerity and skill unvarnished, even if it’s a work in progress.
We may be moving past the “star” era.
Jake Cutter
April 8, 2021 @ 12:07 pm
Here’s hoping.
Cool Lester Smooth
April 8, 2021 @ 11:06 am
The sound is very grim on Ninth Cloud (video is definitely filmed with an iPhone outside on a windy day)…but it’s one of his best songs yet!
Anyway, this is awesome. Dude’s so fucking talented.
Stringbuzz
April 8, 2021 @ 12:14 pm
The kid that got booted from American idol is going to play because Luke Bryant makes a call? Zach has way more cred than that. Not that I didn’t like the kid
Blackh4t
April 8, 2021 @ 4:05 pm
Something really feels wrong here. I’ve tried listening to some of his music and it never grabbed me. And all this viral success just seems gamed.
I may be wrong, but this guy grates on me. Can he do anything at all without getting a sympathy vote because he’s in the Navy and his mum died?
Good luck to the guy, maybe my opinion will change, but right now I still see him as a manufactured underground ‘star’. Complete with Dave Cobb album.
HBZ
April 8, 2021 @ 4:17 pm
He posts on TikTok quite often even after his other accounts went dark. Pulls in a ton of views there too.
Sceloporus
April 8, 2021 @ 6:19 pm
I like him, and listen on a somewhat regular basis, but still don’t get the hype. I’ll tune in to this.
Hey Arnold
April 9, 2021 @ 12:44 am
Any update on the American Idol kid named Alex? Luke Bryan invited him. I’m guessing before the mid May season finale
FELKER'S GHOST
April 9, 2021 @ 6:12 am
EVERY DAMN WORD OF THE BIRD HUNTERS STILL RINGS TRUE
The country was cold with the sun westward sinking
It’s good to be back in this place…
With my hands around a Belgian made Browning
My mind on the lines of her face….
Bill from WI
April 10, 2021 @ 6:44 pm
Wow I think he did great. Especially for someone not used to playing larger crowds. Felt a little teary eyed on that second song myself.
Robert's Country Blog
April 10, 2021 @ 7:06 pm
I’ll admit that I’ve been skeptical of the notion of a “young hotshot viral star with the same manager as Lil Nas X,” but I’ll give credit where it is due. Zach had an excellent Opry debut, and he came across as humble and genuine.
Cool Lester Smooth
April 11, 2021 @ 4:45 am
Nailed it – left this guy wanting more, at least.
Hank Charles
April 11, 2021 @ 12:02 pm
Gotta hand it to him, he stepped up to the plate when his number was called.
It may have been premature, but he took full advantage of it. He crushed the performance and the interview after. Doing it all in a Turnpike shirt was a nice touch too.
Cool Lester Smooth
April 12, 2021 @ 3:20 am
Nailed the interview – “No idea why you wanted an amateur like me, but I’m glad to be here.”