For King Country Reflect On Their Grand Ole Opry Debut - Inspirational Videos

One of the biggest acts in Christian music today thinks about their first time headlining at the Grand Ole Opry and their journey - professionally and personally – to that point. 

For most musicians, playing at the historic Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee, is a monumental step in their career. Some of the biggest names in music ever had headlined shows at the venue in the Volunteer State. Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton and Loretta Lynn have all thrilled audiences at the Opry.

The historic venue continues to attract some of the biggest names in music, including For King & Country. In a video posted on YouTube, the pair of Grammy-winning brothers – Joel and Luke Smallbone – talk about what it meant to headline at the Grand Ole Opry and also their lives growing up. 

The short clip begins with the two musicians pulling into the Grand Ole Opry’s parking lot and peering at the sign on the building, which read, “RESERVED: FOR KING & COUNTRY, GRAND OLE OPRY DEBUT, AUGUST 12, 2022.”

Joel admitted that headlining at the venue is a big moment for the brother in terms of their career and their lives.

“It’s a complex moment for us now, Opry debut,” Joel said. “Because we have already some really monumental memories here, which is just magical by the way.” 

The clip cuts to a portion of their show, where Joel addresses the audience, mentioning their first time headlining the auditorium. He likens it to taking a big step in a relationship.

“We have played this stage for award shows and Christmas shows,” Joel said. “At this point, it’s like, it’s like we’ve been dating and tonight, we got married.”

Next, the guys and their parents discuss their tough, lowly beginnings both in their native Australia and moving to The United States, settling in Nashville, Tennessee.

David Smallbone, the guys’ father and manager, articulates how far they have all come since those early days.

“Here we are 30 years later, we’re still here,” David said. “And we came over here basically penniless. Probably the most difficult financial time of our life. And that was the start of the children learning to work together. Cleaning houses, mowing lawns, raking leaves.”

It's amazing to see how far this immensely talented brother duo and their family have come since their humble beginnings. What a terrific story of perseverance, grit and determination! 

James 1:12 “There is a blessing on the man who undergoes testing; because, if he has God’s approval, he will be given the crown of life, which the Lord has said he will give to those who have love for him.”