SEAN DIETRICH IS OVERCOME WITH EMOTION AS HE MAKES HIS DEBUT AT THE GRAND OLE OPRY ON THE EVENING OF FRIDAY, MARCH 24, 2023.

A Joyful Grand Ole Opry!

Prologue…

I have spent a considerable amount of time pondering the difference between happiness and joy.  Several years ago, I was about to give up trying to figure out the difference when, out of the blue, I experienced joy, with a capital “J”, and it was an epiphany that I shall never forget.  I won’t bore you with all the details, but the bottom line is, I suddenly realized that, for me, joy occurs when I experience the happiness of others.   A simple but profound concept!  My experience is that joy in one’s life only comes along every so often, so you have to enjoy it when it does.  The evening of Friday, March 24, 2023, Dorothy and I experienced joy at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee, and I would like to tell you about it!


Sean Dietrich Enters Our Life At Just The Right Time…


In April of 2021, I had never heard of Sean Dietrich.  I didn’t have a clue about who he was, and what it was he did. While wasting time prowling around on Facebook, I ran across his April 11 column entitled “An Old Man and His Truck“.  As I read his words, tears began to flow.  But, unlike most of the tears I was shedding those days, they were good tears–  tears of happiness and hope.  So, I subscribed to Sean’s daily column and, most days, I read it first thing every morning.  These last two years, Sean Dietrich has made me laugh, made me cry, made me feel bad, and made me feel good.  But most of all, he helped me right my emotional ship, and realize that I do, indeed, have a lot to be grateful for and that I should start living like it.  You see, my wife Dorothy and I had been going through some rough times.  The isolation brought on by COVID was amplified in our case because my wife was battling breast cancer.  She ended up enduring three operations, a month of daily radiation treatments, and chemotherapy, then osteopenia (caused by the chemo) and IV injections (to cure that), joint pains for months (caused by injections), etc., all during a time when we had virtually no personal contact with other human beings.  We remained estranged from our older daughter and our four grandchildren, a situation that seemed to grow more painful with each passing year, and were unable to see our newest grandchild for months (he was born premature and during COVID to our younger daughter, so only his parents could visit him).  We learned that the lake we lived on was going to be drained for several years while the dam was being rebuilt, and that we would have the financial burden of paying several thousand dollars extra each year (toward the cost of rebuilding the dam) for the privilege of living on a mudhole formerly known as Lake McQueeney.  I could go on  and on (my prostate cancer diagnosis, etc.), but you get the idea.  But each day was brightened by Sean Dietrich, and I thank God for his words, his thoughts, and his uplifting stories of goodness and Grace.  So, day by day, Sean became one of the supreme blessings in my life.


An Invitation We Could Not Refuse..


On December 20, 2022, Sean wrote a column entitled “The Grand Ole Opry“, and told the story of his first visit to the Opry with his father, a visit that changed his life and gave rise to a dream.  A dream that someday he would play at the Grand Ole Opry.  At the end of his column Sean announced that on Friday, March 24, 2023, he would be performing at the Grand Ole Opry.  He ended with the statement “And I hope you know that you’re invited.”  I knew right at that moment I wanted to be there to cheer him on and to experience what I thought might be a magical and magnificent event.  After I got approval from my activities coordinator (Dorothy!), I went on-line the very next day and ordered our tickets.  I decided to splurge and purchase obscenely expensive tickets that included a “VIP Backstage Experience”.   I didn’t know exactly what that experience would entail, but it was my hope that we might get to meet Sean in person and tell him how much his thoughts and words have meant to us these past couple of years.  Little did I know that on March 12, 2023, Sean would post a column entitled “The Opry Party“, inviting everyone to a party after his debut performance.  We sent an acceptance RSVP for the after party to his wife Jamie, and we were all set.  I might add that Jamie sent us a very sweet and personal email upon receipt of our RSVP– what kind and generous people the Dietrichs are!

 

We Execute Our Travel  Plans and Find Ourselves in Nashville and  Sean’s Debut at The Grand Ole Opry…

I love planning trips.  This one was especially fun to plan, but make no mistake about it, Sean’s performance at the Grand Ole Opry was the crown jewel of this excursion!  After some study, I decided to indulge my new found passion for all things Frank Lloyd Wright, and schedule visits to some of his works, both traveling to and returning from Nashville.  If you are interested in seeing my blog post for our visits to the Frank Lloyd sites, look here.  

We arrived in Nashville on the early evening of Thursday, March 24, 2023 and proceeded to our hotel, the Hyatt Place Opryland.  I picked this hotel because it was a very short drive to the Opry, but was somewhat reasonably priced.  We settled in, went and had dinner, and called it a night. 

Early the next morning I was up early for some bird watching and also made a quick reconnaissance trip over to the Opry to make sure I knew where we would be meeting later that day for our “VIP Behind the Curtain Experience”, and where we would be parking our car.  

MY EARLY MORNING RECONNAISSANCE MISSION TO THE OPRY. WHAT A COLORFUL AND FESTIVE PLACE IT TURNED OUT TO BE!

Dorothy and I decided to spend some of our spare time on Friday morning/early afternoon at the Opry Mills Mall, which is right next to the Grand Ole Opry, and where we would be parking later that evening when we attended the Opry.  We did some shopping, had a bite of lunch, and returned to our hotel in plenty of time to rest a little before heading to the Opry.  As I mentioned earlier, I had purchased “VIP” Tickets with the “Behind the Curtain Experience”, which required us to be at the Opry at 5:00 p.m., a couple of hours before the performances began.

OUR VIP BACKSTAGE LANYARDS WHICH ALLOWED US IN THE DRESSING ROOMS AND BACKSTAGE AREAS OF THE OPRY.
THE PROGRAM FOR THE OPRY...YES, SEAN DIETRICH WAS ON THE BILL!

The next several hours were amazing.  We experienced the Grand Ole Opry in a way that few people ever do.  We had a personal guide, who did an excellent job at informing us of the history and current practices of the Opry.  We began with a golf cart ride to the performer’s entrance, then a stop by the check-in area.  I must admit, I almost felt like a celebrity!

DOROTHY RELAXING WITH A SEAN DIETRICH BOOK BEFORE WE CHECKED IN AT THE BOX OFFICE FOR OUR VIP EXPERIENCE.
MY BEAUTIFUL WIFE ARRIVES AT THE ARTIST ENTRANCE OF THE OPRY. THANK YOU DOROTHY FOR BEING WITH ME ON THIS AMAZING EVENING!
THE FOUNTAIN THAT MINNIE PEARL GAVE TO THE OPRY IS NEXT TO THE COVERED WALKWAY. IT IS TRADITION FOR PERFORMERS TO STOP AND PAY THEIR RESPECT TO MINNIE AT THIS SPOT AS THEY ENTER THE OPRY.
THE MONITOR AT THE CHECK-IN DESK CONFIRMED WE WERE IN THE RIGHT PLACE-- SEAN DIETRICH REALLY IS PLAYING TONIGHT!
THE DRESS THAT LORETTA LYNN WORE DURING HER LAST APPEARANCE AT THE OPRY IN 1996 IS DISPLAYED IN THE CENTER OF THE AREA WHERE THE MEMBER PLAQUES ARE DISPLAYED.
EACH MEMBER OF THE OPRY HAS A PLAQUE DISPLAYED IN THE HALL LEADING TO THE DRESSING ROOMS. A LOT OF THE NAMES WERE UNFAMILIAR TO ME, BUT I DID RECOGNIZE A FEW!

We then walked down the hall where the dressing rooms were located.  The first dressing room we came to was the one that artists making their debut were assigned to, and we could see that Sean was already there, since his open guitar case was in the room.  Each of the dressing rooms had a name, and an interesting story behind it. 

"INTO THE CIRCLE" IS THE NAME OF THE DRESSING ROOM WHERE THEY PUT ARTISTS WHO ARE MAKING THEIR DEBUT. YOU CAN SEE SEAN'S OPEN GUITAR CASE IN THIS PHOTO...I PRESUME HE WAS IN THE BACKSTAGE PRACTICE AREA.
THE DRESSING ROOM NAMED "COUSIN MINNIE" IS NAMED AFTER, YOU GUESSED IT-- MINNIE PEARL.
THIS DRESSING ROOM WAS PARTICULARY COLORFUL AND FESTIVE!

We had our own dressing room named “Friends and  Neighbors”.  It came with with champagne and snacks.  Of course, Dorothy was happy to see that there was fresh popcorn.  John Conlee (of “Rose Colored Glasses” fame) stopped by and visited with us for a while.  Later in the evening we got to watch him perform from our seat on the stage.  We also spent time in the Green Room, with walls covered with historic photos and memorabilia, and, you guessed it, more beverages and snacks.  And, before being escorted to our seats on the stage, we stopped by the Circle Room for more drinks and hot hors d’oeuvres.  We certainly enjoyed the VIP treatment!

OUR DRESSING ROOM, "FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS".
DOROTHY, RELAXING IN OUR DRESSING ROOM WITH THE HELP OF POPCORN AND CHAMPAGNE!
WITH JOHN CONLEE IN OUR DRESSING ROOM. HE WAS THE SECOND PERFORMER OF THE NIGHT ONCE THE OPRY GOT STARTED.
DOROTHY CHECKING OUT SOME OF THE PHOTOS IN THE GREEN ROOM.
THERE WAS GOOD FOOD AND GOOD PEOPLE WATCHING IN THE CIRCLE ROOM. THE EXCITEMENT WAS BUILDING, AS THE OPRY WAS SOON TO BEGIN!

Let the Opry Begin!

 

It was finally time to head for our seats on the stage of the Grand Ole Opry.  As we walked past Sean’s dressing room, Dorothy waved to him and his wife Jamie came out to say hi.  She asked Dorothy if we were coming to the after party, and when Dorothy replied “yes!”, she remarked,  with a smile and a laugh, “You and 900 other people!”.  As we walked through the backstage rehersal area, we saw Ashley Cooke and her band at work.  The curtain was closed as we took our seats, which were right behind the area of the stage where the performances take place.  We could see the performers in the wings as they prepared to be introduced to the crowd, and we had a monitor in front us and could also see the large screen above and behind us.  We saw the first four acts from these seats and it was an amazing experience!

IN OUR SEATS ON THE STAGE. THE CURTAIN IS STILL CLOSED AS THE FIRST BAND AND PERFORMER (MARK WILLS) GET READY FOR THE CURTAIN TO GO UP. VERY EXCITING!
OUR VIEW OF THE STAGE AND THE PACKED OPRY HOUSE FROM OUR SEATS ON THE STAGE.
JOHN CONLEE AS SEEN ON THE MONITOR AT OUR SEATS. HE HAD JUST DONNED HIS ROSE COLORED GLASSES AS HE PERFORMED HIS FIRST HIT SONG FROM THE LATE 1970S.
RIDERS IN THE SKY WERE THE THIRD ACT TO PERFORM. HERE THEY ARE WAVING TO THE PACKED HOUSE AS THEY LEAVE THE STAGE.
AS THE HOUSE LIGHTS WERE TURNED UP FOR INTERMISSION, WE COULD SEE JUST HOW PACKED THE SOLD OUT OPRY WAS.

A Heart Stopping Moment and an Inspired Performance…


At intermission we were escorted to our seats on the floor of the Opry, front and center.  We knew that Sean was going to be the first performer after intermission and the anticipation was almost unbearable.  Was he up to the challenge?  How would the crowd react to this self-professed “amatuer, self-taught” musician?  What if he blew it?  These thoughts were going through my mind as we waited for Sean to make his entrance.  When he was announced, and walked on stage, there was a thunderous roar from the crowd as they gave him a loud and spontaneous standing ovation.  Knowing how much this moment meant to him (through his written columns and blog), I thought to myself, “I hope he doesn’t cry!”.  Well, that is exactly what he did.  He had a broad smile on his face as he walked across the stage to the microphone, but once he stood in front of the still thundering crowd, the tears began to flow.  As he covered his face and bent over at the waist as he cried, my heart was in my throat.  I said a little prayer, “God, please let him get through this…”.  My concerns were unfounded, as he recovered his poise and began to tell his first story and sing his first song.  He was amazing!  His words were heartfelt and his music was inspired.  It was such a blessing and a Joy to watch this man realize his life long dream!  When he finished, the anouncer called him over for a short interview, and remarked that he had never seen a debut performance get that many standing ovations.  He also said he thought this would be the first of many Sean Dietrich appearances at the Grand Ole Opry!  Which, of course, resulted in another well deserved standing ovation.  I  felt sorry for the next performer (Ashley Cooke), whose reception from the crowd could nowhere near match the excitement that Sean generated. 

DOROTHY WAITING FOR SEAN TO TAKE THE STAGE.
SEAN DIETRICH TAKES THE STAGE AT THE GRAND OLE OPRY.
IT WAS AN EMOTIONAL MOMENT AS SEAN BROKE DOWN IN TEARS AFTER TAKING CENTER STAGE TO THUNDEROUS APPLAUSE AND CHEERS.
SEAN BEGAN HIS PERFORMANCE WITH HIS GUITAR AND ONE OF HIS WONDERFUL STORIES.
SEAN AT THE PIANO, NEAR THE END OF HIS HEARTFELT PERFORMANCE.
SEAN IS INTERVIEWED BY BILL CODY THE OPRY MASTER OF CEREMONIES, AFTER HIS MOMENTOUS DEBUT PERFORMANCE.

The Afterparty…


After the conclusion of the Opry, we headed over to Sean and Jamie’s afterparty at the Bavarian Bierhaus, located in the Opry Mills mall next door.  It did not take long for the place to fill up with friends, family and fans.  When Sean and Jamie arrived, the place went wild.  He played the accordian, sang some songs, hugged his mama, and danced with Jamie– then proceeded to greet and hug every person in the place.  It was a joyful and happy occasion and we felt blessed to be a small part of it!

I THINK SEAN HUGGED EVERYONE IN THE PLACE!
TWO LOVELY WOMEN...DOROTHY AND SEAN'S WIFE JAMIE.
MY SELFIE WITH SEAN. THANK YOU SEAN DIETRICH!!

Here are a couple of videos I took at the afterparty.  It truly was one of the happiest and joyous parties I have ever had the pleasure of attending.  Thank you Sean and Jamie for the invitation, and thank you Dorothy for attending with me!

Epilogue…

As we set out for Nashville, I had reservations about whether the time and effort it took for us to attend Sean’s debut at the Grand Ole Opry would be worth it.  After all, I didn’t know Sean and his wife Jamie personally, only through his written words.  I had never heard him speak, play music, or sing.  But what we experienced was a man with talent beyond measure, and who was humble, kind, and possessed of a generous spirit.  Thank you Sean and Jamie for inviting us to participate in your happy and momentous day, and thank you for the Joy it blessed us with!