Why This Year’s Opry NextStage Class Says Being Chosen Is the Ultimate Stamp of Approval
“Getting the Opry behind you and your artistry and your music is the biggest thumbs up,” Dasha admitted.
Photo ID l-r: Dan Rogers/Senior Vice President and Executive Producer, Grand Ole Opry, Lexi Lampkin/ Manager, Industry and Artist Relations, Opry Entertainment Group, Chase Beckham, Kaitlin Butts, Dasha, Ashley McBryde, Avery Anna, Tigirlily Gold, Kashus Culpepper, Jordan Pettit/ Vice President, Artist & Industry Relations, Opry Entertainment Group, Ari Cubillos Voegler/ Artist & Industry Relations Coordinator, Opry Entertainment Group, and Samantha Kane/ Manager, Industry and Artist Relations, Opry Entertainment Group.
Members of this year’s Opry NextStage class, Dasha, Kashus Culpepper, Chayce Beckham, Avery Anna, Tigirlily Gold, and Kaitlin Butts, took the stage at Category 10 for the fifth annual “Opry NextStage Live” on Wednesday (Dec. 3).
Hosted by GRAMMY winner and Grand Ole Opry member Ashley McBryde, the one-night-only event spotlighted the incredible talent of these rising stars and celebrated them as the next generation of country music voices.
As part of the Opry NextStage program, each artist received support from the Grand Ole Opry through original content and brand-wide amplification designed to share their stories and grow their audience. Throughout the year, they also had the chance to step onto Country Music’s Most Famous Stage, the Grand Ole Opry, multiple times.
Ahead of the show, members of the class reflected on the moment they received their invitations to join the NextStage program and reflected on their Opry debuts.
Chayce Beckham
The invitation to join the Opry NextStage class was an easy “yes” for Chayce Beckham.
“It’s always been a dream of mine to be a member of the Opry at some point in my career, so getting to be included in anything that they do… is just a huge honor,” he told us. “And getting to weasel my way in to play a few more shows at the Opry too was definitely something that made me excited about doing it.”
When he made his Opry debut, Beckham’s entire family flew from California to Nashville to witness the milestone.
“I was really nervous when I debuted. I had it in my head that I was going to forget the lyrics or mess it up,” he admitted. “I was just happy whenever it was over, but not in the sense that I didn’t want to be up there — I just wanted to get through it in a successful manner. And once I got off [stage], it almost felt like I didn’t even do it. It was kind of like an out-of-body experience getting to perform in the circle for the first time.”
Avery Anna
For Avery Anna, the moment she got the call to join the NextStage program was unforgettable
“I remember screaming,” she shared. “My heart was racing. I got that same butterfly feeling I had during my debut — the most nervous I’ve ever been in my life. But I knew it meant I’d get to play the Opry a bunch more this year, which is my favorite thing to do.”
She described her Opry debut as “so nervous” but ultimately “the best night” of her life.
Kaitlin Butts
Kaitlin Butts had a different reaction when she received the news.
“I didn’t really understand why they asked me at the beginning of the year. I don’t have a record out. I don’t have a record deal. I’m just kind of this person hanging out in Nashville… I’m like, why did they pick me?” she recalled.
Since then, Butts has signed a record deal, watched one of her songs go viral, and shared the stage with Ella Langley, Lainey Wilson, and more. Still, on the night of her Opry debut, nerves were front and center.
“I was feeling terrified,” she said. “I wrote on my guitar, ‘You are Kaitlin Butts. You are from Tulsa, Oklahoma…’ Just things that are me, making sure I didn’t forget anything,” she laughed.
Kashus Culpepper
For Kashus Culpepper, being chosen felt “surreal.”
“It is so cool to be part of a group of artists that I truly love, and I love their music. And it’s so cool that an establishment like the Opry — that’s been around since the beginning of country music — brought me in and said, ‘Hey, we think you’re cool. We want to help you out.’ I think that is just the most amazing thing,” he said proudly.
During his debut on the hallowed stage, Culpepper was focused on two things: “I think for me, I was just not trying to mess up or cuss. I cuss a lot and I was like, ‘Kash, do not cuss and don’t mess up!’”
Tigirlily Gold
Sister duo Tigirlily Gold described their reaction as an “honor.”
“When we got the call from our managers, we definitely screamed a little bit,” they shared. “The Opry means everything to us. We got to play it for the 20th or 21st time this year, so we love being there as much as we possibly can — as much as they’ll let us.”
The duo recalled completely blacking out during their debut.
“The first song… we have no idea what happened. But by the second song, I remember looking up, looking around, and we got to hug in the circle on our debut night. That was really special.”
Dasha
Dasha echoed the group’s appreciation.
“Getting the Opry behind you and your artistry and your music is the biggest thumbs up in country music,” she said.
Her Opry debut brought a wave of emotion.
“It was such an important moment. I didn’t want to mess it up — I wanted to remember it forever, and I really do,” she shared. “It was such a perfect, special night. We went to the [Nashville] Palace and danced after, and it was the perfect way to celebrate. My dad was there, he was crying, I was crying… we were all crying!”
Last night’s event was livestreamed on the Grand Ole Opry’s social channels, bringing these rising stars’ talents across the globe.
Lauren Jo Black is a longtime country music journalist, editor, host, and media personality whose work has helped shape the conversation around country music for nearly two decades. As the current Editor-in-Chief of Country Now, she has become one of the genre’s most respected voices, interviewing hundreds of country music’s biggest stars, including Dolly Parton, Garth Brooks, Reba McEntire, Shania Twain, Randy Travis, Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood, Blake Shelton, Luke Combs, and countless others. Over the course of her career, Black’s written work and interviews have reached billions of country music fans worldwide. A 2009 graduate of the University of Central Florida, Black began her career by founding Country Music Is Love, one of country music’s earliest independent digital publications, which she later sold to a major record label in 2015 before it was rebranded as Sounds Like Nashville. She then served as the publication’s Editor-in-Chief for more than two years. Her work has also appeared in Forbes, and she previously served as the Country Music Expert for Answers.com. Widely recognized for her expertise, Black has appeared as a featured guest on The Bobby Bones Show, BobbyCast, and Scripps News Morning Rush, providing insight on country music’s biggest moments. She has also hosted Country Now Live, a concert series featuring performances from artists including Lady A, Dierks Bentley, Riley Green, Jordan Davis, Dustin Lynch, Gabby Barrett, Brett Young, Jon Pardi, Kip Moore, Chris Young, and more. The series has welcomed thousands of fans in person while reaching millions more online. In addition, she hosted Connect With Country Now, a weekly interview series featuring conversations with rising country stars. Throughout her career, Black has earned a reputation for discovering and championing artists long before they become household names. She has covered Luke Bryan since the early days of his career, beginning when he was writing songs for other artists, including Billy Currington’s No. 1 hit “Good Directions,” before stepping into the spotlight with his debut single, “All My Friends Say” and eventually becoming one of biggest names in music. She also gave Megan Moroney her first opportunity to walk a major red carpet as Country Now’s official guest correspondent at the 2022 CMA Awards. An interview she conducted in 2018 for Forbes.com with Luke Combs that inspired his multi-week No. 1 hit, “Doin’ This.” She has also hosted stages at CMA Fest, moderated an industry panel at Country Radio Seminar, and helped lead important conversations about the evolving landscape of country music media. Beyond journalism, Black has also used her platform to support charitable causes and highlight organizations making an impact. Through Country Now Live, she has helped raise awareness and support for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, while also advocating for animal rescue through Country Now’s Pupdate series, spotlighting organizations including MuttNation Foundation, Wags & Walks, and Proverbs 12:10 Animal Rescue. Black has been recognized as one of Country Aircheck’s Women of Influence and received the 2012 Rising Star Award from the University of Central Florida. She is a longtime member of both the Country Music Association (CMA) and the Academy of Country Music (ACM). After nearly 20 years covering country music, Lauren Jo Black has spent her career telling the stories behind the artists, songs, and moments that have shaped the genre. Her first-ever book, Country Music Forever: An A-to-Z Celebration of Icons, Songs and Stories, brings that same passion and firsthand knowledge to the page, celebrating not only the legendary artists and timeless songs that have become the soundtrack to generations of fans, but also the places, traditions, and cultural moments that have made country music one of the most beloved genres around the world.
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