Jo Dee Messina Makes Her Ryman Debut With Unforgettable Sold-Out Show

With a storied career that includes nine chart-topping hits, 16 Top 40s songs, and recognition from the ACMs, CMAs, and the GRAMMYs, it’s hard to believe that Jo Dee Messina has never headlined The Ryman. That all changed when she made her debut at the “Mother Church of Country Music” with a sold-out show on Saturday (April 27).  

The memorable evening found Messina reflecting on her life and career in a unique format, one that she dubbed the “Road to the Ryman.” She told her story through words and songs, painting the picture of her life growing up in Massachusetts and sharing her first memories of country music. 

She performed bits and pieces of songs that shaped her, like “Baby, I Lied,” “Break It To Me Gently,” “Whoever’s In New England,” “Rumor Has It,” “Girl’s Night Out,” and more, and recalled being discovered during a talent competition that took place at Nashville’s the Pink Elephant. This led to her producers Byron Gallimore and Tim McGraw, whom she admitted greatly impacted her early success as an artist. 

The hits started and didn’t stop as she performed the fan-favorite tracks that led her to become one of the most successful female country artists of the late 1990s/ early 2000s. Her setlist included the empowering “I’m Alright,” the emotional “Bring On The Rain,” the sassy “My Give A Damn’s Busted,” and the slightly revenge-filled “Lesson In Leaving.” 

Her performance of “Heads Carolina, Tails California” prompted a massive sing-along with fans singing from every corner of the iconic Music City venue. 

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Continuing to share her personal story, Messina then devoted part of the show to her journey to find Christ and detailed her relationship with God before, during, and after her cancer diagnosis. Her testimony resonated with the audience who then joined her in worship as she welcomed a Gospel choir from Three Oaks Church in Gallatin, Tenn. to sing “My Jesus,” “Bigger Than This,” “Child of Love,” and “Reckless Love.” 

Before closing out the show with “Bye, Bye” Messina admitted that she thought “no one would show up” if she headlined the Ryman. She couldn’t have been more wrong. The venue sold out so quickly that additional chairs had to be added to the floor to meet the overwhelming demand from fans. Their dedicated to the singer and her music was evident throughout the entire night as they sang along to every word and chanted her name between songs.

This show proved Messina’s continued ability to entertain and connect with a crowd and also shined a light on her catalog of timeless country hits. 

“I was blown away by the crowd and its enthusiasm. Industry, family, friends, fans — the room was filled with that mixture. It was a one-of-a-kind experience,” the country star shared after the show. 

The night kicked off with a private reception where Messina was honored with plaques recognizing five new RIAA Certifications, further cementing her place in country music history. These accolades included Double Platinum status for  “I’m Alright” and “Bye Bye,” Gold and Platinum status for “Heads Carolina, Tails California,” and Gold status for both “Bring on the Rain” and “Lesson In Leavin.’”

Messina’s Heads Carolina, Tails California (HCTC2) Tour will run through the remainder of the year, with shows around the country. Soon, she will return to her home state of Massachusetts for a highly anticipated homecoming concert and appearance at Fenway Park ahead of a Boston Red Sox game.