Madeline Merlo Reflects On The Moment She Learned She Will Be Making Her Grand Ole Opry Debut [Exclusive]

Madeline Merlo is finally going to fulfill her lifelong dream of making her Grand Ole Opry debut on October 16. 

The Canadian singer/songwriter was surprised with the news while filming promotional content for her just-released collaboration with Dustin Lynch, “Broken Heart Thing.” She broke down as soon as she saw the words on the prompt, letting her know she would be joining her duet partner in performing inside the historic circle that night. 

“It’s crazy. I couldn’t believe it,” Merlo told Country Now while reflecting on the milestone moment. “Dustin and I were like filming liners so it’s just screen rolling down, like all these things you’re supposed to say to promote the song and then I announced it to myself, which was really funny.”

Making her Opry debut is something that has been on Merlo’s bucket list since she visited Nashville for the first time at around 16 years old. She has even been holding onto a bottle of champagne specifically for this night with a Post-It note that reads “opry debut” stuck to the side, and in a few short months she will finally get to pop the cork. 

“Since I was a kid, it’s just something you always dream about so yeah, I’m so nervous. I can’t even think about it. I get so scared…It’s just such a beautiful thing to feel like you’re a part of, you know, it’s really the country music family. I got to visit the facility earlier this year and it’s like, there’s something so special about it. You just feel choked up the minute you walk in, like you just know so many greats have played there and just such a rich history. So I’m just so, so honored.”

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Sharing The News With Her Mom

The “Slide” singer announced the news on Tuesday morning, August 13, in a social media post that begins with a video of her calling her mom to let her know that the moment they’ve been waiting for is finally happening.

With tears in her eyes, Merlo tells her, “I get to make my Opry debut.” Her mom offers nothing but excitement in response as she says “no way. Oh my gosh, I was thinking about that.” She then adds a “congratulations” and reveals her excitement to make another trip to Nashville.  

Plans To Perform Her New Song In The Circle With Dustin Lynch

The night will be made even more special when she and Dustin Lynch come together to perform their new track and its powerful narrative about the devastating effects that heartbreak can have on two people. 

“The message, I just found it so visual. I feel like it really captured that feeling and emotion where you’re post-breakup and struggling through it and you sort of know that maybe it’s for the best, but you’re don’t even know how to handle it, I guess. I just felt like it was super honest and I really, really loved it,” Merlo told Country Now while discussing the story behind the song.

“Broken Heart Thing” marks the first taste of the female artist’s forthcoming EP, ONE HOUSE DOWN (from the girl next door) which is due to drop on October 11, just days before her Opry debut. This song follows her previously released tracks such as “Makeup,” “Take A Broken Heart” and Tim + Faith,” as well as her Slide EP of 2022.

To find out where Madeline Merlo will be performing her latest releases next, visit her official website.