The Grand Ole Opry!

Saturday July 20th was one of the MOST AMAZING EXPERIENCES of my life to date.  My brother and his band Sons of Fathers had the opportunity of a lifetime to play at the Grand Ole Opry.  This was HUGE...and we weren't going to miss it for anything.  One thing you have to know...I LOVE watching my brother play live.  If he is ever close enough for us to go & we can get the kids taken care of, we are there.  They are so good---and I am not just saying that because I am his big sister.  Really, they are.

Matt and I had our San Fran/Wine Country vacay booked leaving for the 21st already and it just so happened that this fell the day before...so my man worked his magic and shuffled our flights around and made it happen that we could be there.  We were pumped, but nothing in my mind was prepared for how AWESOME it really was.  (and I am not exaggerating for a minute).

We flew out in the wee hours of Saturday the 20th and got to Nashville around lunch time.  We met up with all of my family.  My brother had a big fan club there to cheer him on.  We were all so proud and so excited for this big night of his.  People who made the trip to see him were around 20+...so cool!

Vacation has officially begun!

My seeeester and I.

Suz, my beautiful grandmother Suepa, one of her besties Zena, and myself.  Thing to know here:  My grandmother is in her upper 70s and Zena is in her 80s.  These 2 didn't miss a beat.  So.much.fun!

Our first cousin Rebekah---haven't seen her in years.  Seeing her and Corey was a true highlight of our trip.

Once we arrived we met up with everyone at the Gaylord Opryland for lunch.  We stayed and visited for hours.  Before we knew it it was time to go get ready!

Matt and Corey being cowboy posers here.  We met everyone before for a quick bite.  Matt and Corey tried on Colt and Josh's hats.  I think for a minute there they felt pretty cool.  :)

On the shuttle headed to the Opry!

We spotted the star himself!

So here's the deal--I thought we were going to watch them play from the audience.  I had NO IDEA we had actual BACKSTAGE passes and got to watch the entire show from the actual Grand Ole Opry Stage!  It was unbelievable being back there.  When we were walking I thought they were taking us to our seats---I had NO clue he was guiding us backstage.  UNreal.  Seeing all of the dressing rooms back there, all the famous pictures of performers who have played on that very stage---I'm not kidding it was unreal.

My brother standing on THE CIRCLE.

Taken from the "history of the Grand Ole Opry website"---The six-foot circle of dark, oak wood in the Opry House stage is shiny but clearly well worn. Cut from the stage of the Opry's famous former home, the Ryman Auditorium, this circle gives newcomers and veterans alike the opportunity to sing on the same spot that once supported Uncle Dave Macon, Ernest Tubb, Patsy Cline, and others."

"That circle is the most magical thing when you're a performer," says Brad Paisley, "to stand there and get to sing on those same boards that probably still contain dust from Hank Williams' boots."

Hanging out backstage before the show.

If you see the little church pews in the back, that is where we sat---ON the stage, BEHIND the musicians.  SO COOL!

Seriously I was a bit starstruck.  Any musician's dream is to perform at the Grand Ole Opry, and to actually be there, ON the live stage was --well, I just don't have the words.  Not everyone got to go backstage--you had to be on 'the list'...oh that list...we got some good laughs out of that crazy list.  But you can tell from the pics below how excited we all were to be on that stage waiting for SONS OF FATHERS to come out!

One of the most special parts of that evening was the little shout out Paul gave to my grandfather.  He dedicated that night to him.  July 20th was his 78th birthday.  My grandfather played a big part in Paul's love of music.  It was such a touching moment, and such a special day.  We all knew Jimpa was so proud of his only boy.

Matt and Suepa.  He loves her.

me, mom, and suz

Judy, Shelley, and Dad

Once it was time for Sons of Fathers to perform we all scattered.  Some went to the audience to watch him from the front, some stayed back behind--my sister and I moved to the side of the sage right behind the curtain.  So we could see the audience, see them perform, and see the screen behind as well.  I think we had the best seats in the house.  Seeing the audience get so into their music and to SEE Zena (who is IN HER 80's) STANDING UP--you couldn't miss that green outfit she had on....saw her standing and clapping and cheering along throughout every song.  It was hilarious and SO cute!!  Getting a little taste of what they must of felt when the crowd went wild, was such a thrill.  I loved it!!

I mean LOOK at all of those PEOPLE!!  ALMOST a sold out crowd!!

They came out and KILLED it.  Brought the house DOWN.  The audience went crazy over them.  I have goosebumps writing about it right NOW.  Hands DOWN amazing.

These 3 videos are just a small glimpse.  The last video is my favorite.  They were jammin it OUT and then the audience goes CRAZY.  They don't ever stop cheering.  Now I sound like the biggest crazy idiot EVERRRRRR, but what can I say???  I was one excited and proud sister giving her little bro some love.  Towards the end I thought I had turned off the video and it was still going, but I love that because you can still hear the crowd cheering.  SO COOL!

Once the show was over we went to the back and were all on cloud 9!  Taking pictures and congratulating the band.

Judy and mom.  Love love LOVE judy!  When I tell my children to be a light---It is Judy Hamm I think of.  Never known anyone like her.

Paul and his girl Lex

The boys with Larry Gatlin.

After the Opry, Paul's manager and his wife had us ALL over.  She had a spread like Thanksgiving dinner.  It was wonderful.  Paul and Dave played acoustic and sang.  It was so much fun.  The best ending to the BEST day.  It really was one of the best days I've ever lived.  I am so proud of my brother.  He is doing what he loves, living the dream.  I love watching him live it out!---This video is a little clip of Paul and Dave singing.  It is my grandmother's favorite song (well a lot of people actually), but she requested it and you can hear her say "i love it, i love it, i love it."  Such a little groupie.

ALRIGHT---SO WHO WANTS THE ICING ON THE CAKE????  Sons of Fathers have been asked back September 21 and guess who is going back!?!?  Me!!!  Plane ticket is booked and I am headed back to Nashville on Sept. 20th to spend another amazing weekend with family and friends and SONS OF FATHERS!!!  Cannnnnot WAIT!!