Don McLean & Adam Wainwright Make Grand Ole Opry Debuts

/by

Pictured (L-R): Adam Wainwright, Don McLean, Grand Ole Opry’s Dan Rogers and Opry member Connie Smith. Photo: Chris Hollo for Grand Ole Opry

Songwriters Hall of Fame member Don McLean and veteran MLB All-Star and emerging country singer Adam Wainwright both celebrated their Grand Ole Opry debuts on Saturday night (March 9).

After stepping into the circle for the first time, McLean closed with his classic “American Pie.” “I never felt more at home than I did tonight,” he stated. “The audience came to hear music. Music is what the Opry is all about.”

Wainwright’s debut featured his latest single “Hey Y’all.” “I’ve played on some great stages in the MLB but I think this might be the coolest by far,” he shared backstage. “What a blessing for me, my family and my hometown.”

The Opry hosted 131 artist debuts in 2023, breaking the record for most debuts in a single year, which had been set just the year before. The artists set to make their debuts in the upcoming weeks include Willi Carlisle, Dax, Tyler Halverson, Cris Jacobs, Jenny Lewis, The Price Sisters, Shane Smith & the Saints and Josh Sundquist, among others.

Don McLean during his Grand Ole Opry debut. Photo: Chris Hollo for Grand Ole Opry

Adam Wainwright during his Grand Ole Opry debut. Photo: Chris Hollo for Grand Ole Opry

Lorie Hollabaugh
Latest posts by Lorie Hollabaugh (see all)