The Grand Ole Opry. That’s where we were.
It would become a “Night To Remember.”
It was “Sean Dietrich’s” Opry Debut—a big night for him.
The place was full of fans.
The “Opry” wasn’t on my Bucket List or anything. I just figured I’d never get a chance to see someone at “The Grand Ole’ Opry.”
I was with my Aunt and Mom, who have been nicknamed “The Hens.” —My friend dubbed them that name. They love it. I love it too.
And there I sat, at the “Opry.”
It turns out that my family is “Grand Ole Opry people.” They’ve been to see the “Opry” many times throughout their lives.
Aunts, Uncles, Nana, PawPaw, Cousins. All have been to the Opry.
I, on the other hand, had never been to the Opry. And I was excited. “Excited” is an understatement, really.
The place was Sold Out. All Four Thousand seats were in use.
The Line-Up was as follows:
Mark Wills
John Conlee
Riders In The Sky
Junior Brown
Sean Dietrich
Ashley Cooke
Darius Rucker
We were there to see “Sean Dietrich.”
For me, “Junior Brown” was a bonus.
During the day, while riding the Shuttle Bus or out and about, we made conversation with other “Out of towners,” and all of them had said they’d come to see “Sean” perform at the Opry—all of them.
Not “Sean Dietrich,” just “Sean.”
One man on the bus said, “He’s proof that anybody can make it. He’s one of us. I feel like he’s family.”
And that is the truth.
Sean’s fans feel like Sean is their Cousin, Nephew, Grandson, Son, or Brother.
Sean is an excellent example of the “American Dream.”
While walking through the crowd to go inside the Opry, I listened to what people were saying, and most people said the name “Sean.”
“Dang. This whole place is here to see ‘Sean,'” I thought to myself and continued thinking, “This is huge. I’m a witness to something big.”
We get our seats, and again, I hear “Sean” this and “Sean” that.
I looked at the handout and saw that Sean was fifth on the list.
The lights lower; the crowd quietens down.
The announcer welcomes everyone and begins naming who will perform during the show.
Each name he read off got the usual applause.
Then, he reads off the name, “Sean Dietrich, of Sean Of The South,” and the crowd erupts with applause, whistling, and yelling.
“They’re all here to see ‘Sean,'” I say to my Mom and Aunt.
Now, I need to tell you that since this Journal Entry is about “Sean” and his big night, I’m not going to go into detail about the other performers.—At least not in this particular entry.
In my mind, I quietly say a Prayer to Father God for Sean.
The first acts were all great.
Everyone was in Great Spirits, and the Opry took an intermission around the first hour into the show leaving Sean to open the second part.
The crowd goes to the restroom and visits the concession stands. We stay seated.
Between fifteen and twenty minutes later, the show starts back.
The house lights lower.
The crowd hushes.
I’m nervous for Sean. I know he’s up next.
“This next act is an Author, a Musician…” The crowd erupts with cheers.
“I guess you’ve heard his Podcast,” the announcer continues. The crowd cheers more.
All I remember next are the words, “Please welcome Sean Dietrich of Sean Of The South,” and Sean, guitar in hand, walks out onto the stage.
The crowd stands and gives him a Standing Ovation. We stand as well.
I can see that Sean’s eyes are red and a bit watery.
I quietly say more Prayers asking God to give Sean the strength to “Keep it together” and ask Him to provide Sean with everything he needs on that stage.
I did this because I know I’d want people Praying for me if I had to go up on that stage.
Sean did Great!
He performed several songs, all of which displayed his musical talents on the Guitar and the Piano. He plays more instruments than that, but those are the instruments he chose to play during his performance, which was fantastic.
So fantastic, in fact, that he got another standing ovation when he finished.
The announcer even mentioned that he didn’t remember a Debut that both started with a standing ovation and finished with a standing ovation.
Sean then bowed to the audience and…got a third standing ovation.
It turns out that seeing this was on my “Bucket List.”
I just didn’t know it until that night.
