01of 15Mick BodieOn a very early morning in January, I got asked if I wanted to make my Opry debut on March 31st. After spitting out my orange juice, I eagerly accepted, and the countdown BEGAN. I spent every day since then dreaming up what I wanted to say, sing — and of course, what I wanted to wear. When the big day finally arrived, the first thing I did backstage was sit down with my incredible makeup artist, Cali Jeffries, who topped off my look with a black, rhinestone cat-eye to match the Opry dress of my dreams.
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Mick Bodie
On a very early morning in January, I got asked if I wanted to make my Opry debut on March 31st. After spitting out my orange juice, I eagerly accepted, and the countdown BEGAN. I spent every day since then dreaming up what I wanted to say, sing — and of course, what I wanted to wear. When the big day finally arrived, the first thing I did backstage was sit down with my incredible makeup artist, Cali Jeffries, who topped off my look with a black, rhinestone cat-eye to match the Opry dress of my dreams.
02of 15Mick BodieThen it was time for soundcheck. Going out on the road as a new artist means a lot of my time is spent getting creative with whatever can fit in a minivan, and up to this point, I had only ever played with a two or three-person band. One of the things I was most looking forward to was playing with the infamous Grand Ole Opry band — 10+ of the best musicians in town, and they were just as kind as they are talented.
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Then it was time for soundcheck. Going out on the road as a new artist means a lot of my time is spent getting creative with whatever can fit in a minivan, and up to this point, I had only ever played with a two or three-person band. One of the things I was most looking forward to was playing with the infamous Grand Ole Opry band — 10+ of the best musicians in town, and they were just as kind as they are talented.
03of 15Mick BodieI was a little superstitious about stepping in the legendary circle on the Opry stage before showtime, but I wanted to make sure I had the best sound possible during soundcheck, so I had a bit of a spiritual, emotional “oh no, I think I’m crying” moment before the show even began. Stepping into that circle for the first time felt surreal and really took me back to all the dive-bar shows I played growing up, singing songs to nobody but the bartenders —it was like it was all culminating in this moment.
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I was a little superstitious about stepping in the legendary circle on the Opry stage before showtime, but I wanted to make sure I had the best sound possible during soundcheck, so I had a bit of a spiritual, emotional “oh no, I think I’m crying” moment before the show even began. Stepping into that circle for the first time felt surreal and really took me back to all the dive-bar shows I played growing up, singing songs to nobody but the bartenders —it was like it was all culminating in this moment.
04of 15Mick BodieI’d seen the Grand Ole Opry a million times from the other side, but once I got onstage, I had to take a moment to just stare out at the beautiful, red velvet pews and sweeping balconies… It’s one of the most stunning theaters I’ve ever seen — and nothing compared to this view.
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I’d seen the Grand Ole Opry a million times from the other side, but once I got onstage, I had to take a moment to just stare out at the beautiful, red velvet pews and sweeping balconies… It’s one of the most stunning theaters I’ve ever seen — and nothing compared to this view.
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06of 15Mick BodieI always like a little moment of silence before a performance, even if it’s just 60 seconds — so I took a few breaths, and then it was time to change into THE dress.
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I always like a little moment of silence before a performance, even if it’s just 60 seconds — so I took a few breaths, and then it was time to change into THE dress.
07of 15Mick BodieThe big reveal. Ohhhh, this dress. It has to be my favorite thing I’ve ever worn. When I pictured myself debuting the Opry, I can’t explain it, but this is exactly what I imagined I’d be wearing.
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The big reveal. Ohhhh, this dress. It has to be my favorite thing I’ve ever worn. When I pictured myself debuting the Opry, I can’t explain it, but this is exactly what I imagined I’d be wearing.
08of 15Mick BodieMy incredible stylist,Elliott Taylor, made my visions come true with this stunning Mac Duggal dress — it was the black, emo, wedding dress of my dreams, perfect formy “marriage” to country music.
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My incredible stylist,Elliott Taylor, made my visions come true with this stunning Mac Duggal dress — it was the black, emo, wedding dress of my dreams, perfect formy “marriage” to country music.
09of 15Mick BodieThe finished look!
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The finished look!
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11of 15Mick BodieThe show was spiritual. I almost started crying the second I stepped into the circle. Less than five years ago I was busking on the streets of Boston — rain or shine, people or no people — and to be facing a sold-out Opry crowd, filled with my family, friends and team, just five years later had to be one of the most unreal moments of my life. I loved every second of it. And to top it off, it was my dad’s birthday too, which made the evening all the more special. Not sure how I’ll top that birthday present in the future.
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The show was spiritual. I almost started crying the second I stepped into the circle. Less than five years ago I was busking on the streets of Boston — rain or shine, people or no people — and to be facing a sold-out Opry crowd, filled with my family, friends and team, just five years later had to be one of the most unreal moments of my life. I loved every second of it. And to top it off, it was my dad’s birthday too, which made the evening all the more special. Not sure how I’ll top that birthday present in the future.
12of 15Mick BodieThe first person I saw after my performance was my producer, Daniel Ross. Four years ago, we wrote my debut single, “She’s Mine,” in a tiny little basement, not ever knowing the power it would hold or that it would end up changing my life two years later. He has become like an older brother to me, so having him there, and then singing that song on-stage at the Grand Ole Opry was the epitome of a full “circle” (get it?) moment, and it made both of us tear up.
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The first person I saw after my performance was my producer, Daniel Ross. Four years ago, we wrote my debut single, “She’s Mine,” in a tiny little basement, not ever knowing the power it would hold or that it would end up changing my life two years later. He has become like an older brother to me, so having him there, and then singing that song on-stage at the Grand Ole Opry was the epitome of a full “circle” (get it?) moment, and it made both of us tear up.
13of 15Mick BodieI took some celebratory pictures in the green room with my guitar player, Brandon Ellis, and just felt so incredibly happy. Five years ago, when I moved to Nashville, I never imagined, in my wildest dreams, that I would be debuting at the Opry this soon after. What an evening.
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I took some celebratory pictures in the green room with my guitar player, Brandon Ellis, and just felt so incredibly happy. Five years ago, when I moved to Nashville, I never imagined, in my wildest dreams, that I would be debuting at the Opry this soon after. What an evening.
14of 15Mick BodieMy friends at the Opry asked me to sign a little notecard and sum up how my debut felt, and I knew exactly what I was going to write in that moment — just three words: “Best. Night. Ever.”
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My friends at the Opry asked me to sign a little notecard and sum up how my debut felt, and I knew exactly what I was going to write in that moment — just three words: “Best. Night. Ever.”
15of 15Mick BodieI took one final look around the dressing room, taking the moment in one last time, before heading back to my place with my family to celebrate. Champagne was popped, laughter ensued, and good times were had. What an extraordinary evening that I will never, ever, ever, EVER forget.
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I took one final look around the dressing room, taking the moment in one last time, before heading back to my place with my family to celebrate. Champagne was popped, laughter ensued, and good times were had. What an extraordinary evening that I will never, ever, ever, EVER forget.
source: people.com
