On Friday 27 October 2023, Gene Watson reflected on a visit to The Grand Ole Opry in Nashville.
‘We had two shows at The Grand Ole Opry on Friday 27 October 2023, and both shows were packed with serious music fans.
We always love that, and appreciate all of you for coming to this historic venue.
If you’re my age, you probably grew up listening to the Opry Saturday nights on an old battery radio. It was the highlight of our week, and I am so honoured to be a member.
The Opry remains the pinnacle of country music. We love to perform there.
On this night, I was delighted to get a quick visit with Connie Smith and John Conlee, two great friends and great singers.
I’m not sure I’ve had a real visit with either in a few years, due to the pandemic, but we caught up and it was so good to see them.
An artist on the show, who was just incredible, was Maggie Rose.
She’s an amazing vocalist, and just as nice as can be.
Her sound has a lot of soul to it, which I can appreciate.
She just signed with an important company in Nashville, Big Loud, so you’ll no doubt be hearing even more from her soon.
Chad Phillips (road manager, lead guitarist, harmony vocalist, and Gene Watson Farewell Party Band leader), Gene Watson and Charlie Mattos at Grand Ole Opry on Friday 27 October 2023 / Gene Watson presented Chad Philips with a crystal trophy, acknowledge Chad Philips’ ten years with Gene Watson’s Farewell Party Band; the inscription read ‘Thanks for your ten-year contribution to making The Farewell Party Band even better. Happy 10th!’
As part of the big night, we also threw in a surprise for our super-talented guitar player, Chad Phillips.
I wanted to be sure to acknowledge his ten years and hard work with The Farewell Party Band, and for everything he does for us.
After performing ‘Fourteen Carat Mind’, which was written by Dallas Frazier (Friday 27 October 1939 – Friday 14 January 2022) and Larry Lee Favorite (Saturday 6 January 1940 – Saturday 26 May 2001), Opry radio host, Charlie Mattos, called us both over, and then I presented Chad with a crystal trophy.
The inscription reads ‘Thanks for your ten-year contribution to making The Farewell Party Band even better as road manager, lead guitar, harmony, and band leader. Happy 10th!‘
Dan Rogers (Vice President and Executive Producer of The Grand Ole Opry), Chad Philips (road manager, lead guitarist, harmony vocalist, and Gene Watson Farewell Party Band leader) and Gene Watson backstage at The Grand Ole Opry in Nashville on Friday 27 October 2023
We then snapped a photo backstage with Dan Rogers, Vice President and Executive Producer of The Grand Ole Opry. Thank you, Chad, for all your hard work!
Gene Watson, Boo Miller (steel guitar), Dewayne Rice (piano), Todd Hines (drums), Carrie Underwood, and Chad Philips (guitar) backstage at The Grand Ole Opry in Nashville on Friday 27 October 2023
Former ‘American Idol’ winner and multi-award winning artist, Carrie Underwood, was on the show, and she wowed the fans with her powerful voice on several of her biggest hits.
Carrie has too many awards to note them all, but she’s sold more than 85 million records, recorded 28 No.1 singles,14 that she co-wrote, and she’s the most-awarded female country artist for singles in Recording Industry of America Association (RIAA) history.
Before her ‘American Idol’ days, Carrie opened for me on a show in Arkansas. Reckon that jump-started her career? That’s what I like to tell Moe.
Pictured (above) Gene Watson, Boo Miller (steel guitar), Dewayne Rice (piano), Todd Hines (drums), Carrie Underwood, and Chad Philips (guitar). We were missing Staley Rogers (bass guitar) because he was watching the Texas Rangers in the World Series’
Carrie Underwood and Gene Watson backstage at The Grand Ole Opry, Grand Ole Opry House, 2804 Opryland Drive, Nashville, TN 37214 on Friday 27 October 2023
Source
• Gene Watson on Facebook
