Tommy Shaw debuting on the Grand Ole Opry on March 26

[froy]

And, Froy, that is why I am not you.

I'll be nice, respectful and tell Tommy how much I really enjoy his music - which is the truth.

I will also ask him to autograph my copy of his latest album and see if he will let me get a picture with him.

But thanks for asking.

Ash

No comment

Froy, did you get your picture taken with DDY after the recent Chicago show?

No did not get invited back

[fsutall]

Just saw on the Opry web site that Tommy will be signing copies of his new CD prior to the first show, between 5:30 - 6:30!!!

[fsutall]

So who made it to one of the two Opry shows last night? I went to the early show. Unfortunately we didn't get there in time to meet Tommy and buy the new CD, so I don't know how successful that was.

If you're not familiar with the Opry format, the evening is split into four 30-minute segments, each with a host performer and at least one other performer. Tommy's set came during the third segment, along with the Riders in the Sky, an older C&W female singer (can't remember her name) and a group of square dancers (!!!).

Tommy came onstage after the older woman but probably came out a minute too early, as he had to stand around while the announcer read a few commercials. He looked a little nervous to me; you could see him take at least one deep breath and he was fidgety. Even though he has performed live thousands of times I'm sure this felt like alien territory to him, as the majority of the attendees were retirees, tourists or there to see Carrie Underwood during the final segment. I'm sure there were a few hardcore fans there but I didn't notice any Styx t-shirts. Probably didn't help that the announcer introduced him as a famous rock star from the "pop" band Styx, lol!

Tommy performed two songs from the new album, "Back in Your Kitchen" and "I'll Be Comin' Home". He played mandolin on the first and Jeanne brought him an acoustic guitar for the second. Both sounded great! He chatted a bit between the songs and again he seemed a bit nervous, mentioning Jeanne's cooking after the first and made a comment about never imagining he would be playing the mandolin on the stage of the Opry when he bought it 15 years ago. He played with a band but I'm not sure if they were his guys or part of the house band.

His performance and time on stage lasted no more than 8 minutes. The audience seemed to enjoy it, as he received a lot of applause after both songs and had people clapping and singing along when he encouraged it. I would have preferred to hear more Tommy and less of the square dancing and geriatric crowd but overall the evening was great fun and a special opportunity to see a favorite musician out of his element. I'll definitely be purchasing the new album soon!

[Babyblue]

So who made it to one of the two Opry shows last night? I went to the early show. Unfortunately we didn't get there in time to meet Tommy and buy the new CD, so I don't know how successful that was.

If you're not familiar with the Opry format, the evening is split into four 30-minute segments, each with a host performer and at least one other performer. Tommy's set came during the third segment, along with the Riders in the Sky, an older C&W female singer (can't remember her name) and a group of square dancers (!!!).

Tommy came onstage after the older woman but probably came out a minute too early, as he had to stand around while the announcer read a few commercials. He looked a little nervous to me; you could see him take at least one deep breath and he was fidgety. Even though he has performed live thousands of times I'm sure this felt like alien territory to him, as the majority of the attendees were retirees, tourists or there to see Carrie Underwood during the final segment. I'm sure there were a few hardcore fans there but I didn't notice any Styx t-shirts. Probably didn't help that the announcer introduced him as a famous rock star from the "pop" band Styx, lol!

Tommy performed two songs from the new album, "Back in Your Kitchen" and "I'll Be Comin' Home". He played mandolin on the first and Jeanne brought him an acoustic guitar for the second. Both sounded great! He chatted a bit between the songs and again he seemed a bit nervous, mentioning Jeanne's cooking after the first and made a comment about never imagining he would be playing the mandolin on the stage of the Opry when he bought it 15 years ago. He played with a band but I'm not sure if they were his guys or part of the house band.

His performance and time on stage lasted no more than 8 minutes. The audience seemed to enjoy it, as he received a lot of applause after both songs and had people clapping and singing along when he encouraged it. I would have preferred to hear more Tommy and less of the square dancing and geriatric crowd but overall the evening was great fun and a special opportunity to see a favorite musician out of his element. I'll definitely be purchasing the new album soon!

Thanks, for sharing with all of us here.I know their were quite a few Tommy fans that went to the show.I have heard the songs from last nite & souned great.WOOOOOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

[Ash]

I was backstage for everything but Tommy. We went out front to watch that from the stage door. When he was done, we went backstage to congratulate him on his way off. It was funny - during the square dancers segment which happened right after Tommy walked off stage, you could tell he was fascinated by it and trying to figure out what they were doing. He made several attempts to do square dance moves right off the side of the stage. A little while later, he was getting a quick howto by a member of the Opry. Then Tommy walked back right past my wife and I. I shouted out a "Nice Job Tommy" to which he thanked me - and then we were off.

Tommy is a trip and was very humble and gracious as a guest of the Opry. You could tell he considered it a high honor to be there as he was really respectful of the traditions.

I have some pictures on my facebook page and about a minute of his set where you can hear how it sounds.

Tommy was VERY well received by the Opry players and the crowd.

As for the CD signing. I arrived about 6... and when we got close to the front, a store employee counted to 15 and cut the line off. I was number 15. I was one of the last to get an autograph and picture. It was really great to shake his hand. I'll see about posting a picture here. All told I had about 4 pictures and a video worth posting to my facebook.

As many of you here know, I have my differences with Tommy and JY over the whole DDY mess, but I still have a lot of respect for Tommy as an artist, musician, and his contributions to the soundtrack of my life. All of those debates are for another day. I was thrilled to meet one of my childhood musical heroes.

[Ash]

Tommy performed two songs from the new album, "Back in Your Kitchen" and "I'll Be Comin' Home". He played mandolin on the first and Jeanne brought him an acoustic guitar for the second. Both sounded great! He chatted a bit between the songs and again he seemed a bit nervous, mentioning Jeanne's cooking after the first and made a comment about never imagining he would be playing the mandolin on the stage of the Opry when he bought it 15 years ago. He played with a band but I'm not sure if they were his guys or part of the house band!

The players were the house band. My wife is friends with the piano player Tim. Right after the signing, my wife and I went back stage and got there just as Tommy was arriving to go through a quick rehearsal. They played the two songs off the CD through a boom box and worked through their respective parts. I have a video of this on Facebook where you can see Tommy surrounded by several other players practicing. They rehearsed about 15 or 20 minutes and that was it as far as I know. Nic (my wife) and I went to sit on the back-stage seats (located behind the band to the left and right of the stage) for the first 45 minutes of the Opry.

Tommy sounded amazing. Like Dennis, he has taken really, really good care of his voice and he sounds like he did 30 years ago if not better. I will agree that at times he seemed nervous and out of his element, but remember... being on the Opry is playing among the absolute LEGENDS of country music. It'd be like if there was a radio show where the greats of Rock and Roll played every weekend. Think of it as a whose who of what made country music what it is. There really, really is nothing comparable to it. When bands come to Nashville and play the Ryman (which is where the Opry used to be) musicians still get awestruck by the history. There is just so much musical history in Nashville among country. And we all know that country and rock music are very close brothers.

[froy]

"Ash It was funny - during the square dancers segment which happened right after Tommy walked off stage, you could tell he was fascinated by it

No comment

[Babyblue]

Tommy performed two songs from the new album, "Back in Your Kitchen" and "I'll Be Comin' Home". He played mandolin on the first and Jeanne brought him an acoustic guitar for the second. Both sounded great! He chatted a bit between the songs and again he seemed a bit nervous, mentioning Jeanne's cooking after the first and made a comment about never imagining he would be playing the mandolin on the stage of the Opry when he bought it 15 years ago. He played with a band but I'm not sure if they were his guys or part of the house band!

The players were the house band. My wife is friends with the piano player Tim. Right after the signing, my wife and I went back stage and got there just as Tommy was arriving to go through a quick rehearsal. They played the two songs off the CD through a boom box and worked through their respective parts. I have a video of this on Facebook where you can see Tommy surrounded by several other players practicing. They rehearsed about 15 or 20 minutes and that was it as far as I know. Nic (my wife) and I went to sit on the back-stage seats (located behind the band to the left and right of the stage) for the first 45 minutes of the Opry.

Tommy sounded amazing. Like Dennis, he has taken really, really good care of his voice and he sounds like he did 30 years ago if not better. I will agree that at times he seemed nervous and out of his element, but remember... being on the Opry is playing among the absolute LEGENDS of country music. It'd be like if there was a radio show where the greats of Rock and Roll played every weekend. Think of it as a whose who of what made country music what it is. There really, really is nothing comparable to it. When bands come to Nashville and play the Ryman (which is where the Opry used to be) musicians still get awestruck by the history. There is just so much musical history in Nashville among country. And we all know that country and rock music are very close brothers.

Glad you had a great time at the show.Would love to see the pics.

[gr8dane]

"Ash It was funny - during the square dancers segment which happened right after Tommy walked off stage, you could tell he was fascinated by it

No comment

No problem.

[gr8dane]

And, Froy, that is why I am not you.

I'll be nice, respectful and tell Tommy how much I really enjoy his music - which is the truth.

I will also ask him to autograph my copy of his latest album and see if he will let me get a picture with him.

But thanks for asking.

Ash

No comment

Froy, did you get your picture taken with DDY after the recent Chicago show?

No did not get invited back

Did Dennis have to clean his Roboto mask ?

[Babyblue]

And, Froy, that is why I am not you.

I'll be nice, respectful and tell Tommy how much I really enjoy his music - which is the truth.

I will also ask him to autograph my copy of his latest album and see if he will let me get a picture with him.

But thanks for asking.

Ash

No comment

Froy, did you get your picture taken with DDY after the recent Chicago show?

No did not get invited back

Did Dennis have to clean his Roboto mask ?

[Boomchild]

And, Froy, that is why I am not you.

I'll be nice, respectful and tell Tommy how much I really enjoy his music - which is the truth.

I will also ask him to autograph my copy of his latest album and see if he will let me get a picture with him.

But thanks for asking.

Ash

No comment

Froy, did you get your picture taken with DDY after the recent Chicago show?

No did not get invited back

Did Dennis have to clean his Roboto mask ?

I think he spent the night at home listening to his copy of "City Slicker" and thinking what a missed opportunity for it to have been a Styx album.

[styxfanNH]

Tommy performed two songs from the new album, "Back in Your Kitchen" and "I'll Be Comin' Home". He played mandolin on the first and Jeanne brought him an acoustic guitar for the second. Both sounded great! He chatted a bit between the songs and again he seemed a bit nervous, mentioning Jeanne's cooking after the first and made a comment about never imagining he would be playing the mandolin on the stage of the Opry when he bought it 15 years ago. He played with a band but I'm not sure if they were his guys or part of the house band!

The players were the house band. My wife is friends with the piano player Tim. Right after the signing, my wife and I went back stage and got there just as Tommy was arriving to go through a quick rehearsal. They played the two songs off the CD through a boom box and worked through their respective parts. I have a video of this on Facebook where you can see Tommy surrounded by several other players practicing. They rehearsed about 15 or 20 minutes and that was it as far as I know. Nic (my wife) and I went to sit on the back-stage seats (located behind the band to the left and right of the stage) for the first 45 minutes of the Opry.

Tommy sounded amazing. Like Dennis, he has taken really, really good care of his voice and he sounds like he did 30 years ago if not better. I will agree that at times he seemed nervous and out of his element, but remember... being on the Opry is playing among the absolute LEGENDS of country music. It'd be like if there was a radio show where the greats of Rock and Roll played every weekend. Think of it as a whose who of what made country music what it is. There really, really is nothing comparable to it. When bands come to Nashville and play the Ryman (which is where the Opry used to be) musicians still get awestruck by the history. There is just so much musical history in Nashville among country. And we all know that country and rock music are very close brothers.

If you caught any of Tommy's interviews over the weekend, Tommy seemed truly humbled and honored to be playing at the Grand Ole Opry. He referred to it in several interviews as it being like sacred ground.