Songstress Caitlyn Smith makes Grand Ole Opry debut at the Ryman Auditorium

SONGSTRESS CAITLYN SMITH MAKES GRAND OLE OPRY DEBUT 

AT THE HISTORIC RYMAN AUDITORIUM

Monday, Nov. 7, 2016

L to R: Paul Moak, Caitlyn Smith, Connie Smith and Rollie Gaalswyk 

Photo Credit: Chris Hollo Courtesy of Grand Ole Opry

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Singer/songwriter Caitlyn Smith made her Grand Ole Opry debut to an emotional full house at the Historic Ryman Auditorium on Saturday, Nov. 5, 2016. 

The “bucket list moment” was one Smith had dreamed of since she began her musical career as a young teen, choosing to use her college fund to finance her first album.

 In the audience, Smith’s father watched his daughter, along with her husband Rollie Gaalswyk on guitar and producer Paul Moak on bass, make her debut on the stage where so many of Smith’s idols have stood before her. 

Caitlyn Smith Grand Ole Opry debut

at Ryman Auditorium 

Photo Credit: Chris Hollo 

Courtesy of Grand Ole Opry

“We have visited Nashville many, many times over the years, but this is our first show at the Opry,” noted Smith’s father, XX. “Caitlyn has always wanted our first Opry experience to be her Opry debut, because she knew she would be on this stage one day.” 

The “virtuoso vocalist capable of torch, twang and a whisper-to-a-scream range” (Rolling Stone Country) delivered a passionate performance featuring two of the released tracks from her upcoming album Starfire: “Before You Called Me Baby” (co-writen by Matt Jenkins and Smith) and “Tacoma” (co-written by Smith and Bob DiPiero). The energetic audience of more than 1,500 folks applauded Smith as she exited the stage after the first of two performances on Saturday. 

The evening’s host and Country Music Hall of Famer, Connie Smith, commended Caitlyn saying, “She’s a good songwriter, but a great singer.” A flattering compliment considering Dolly Parton once said of Connie, “There’s only three female’s singers in the world: Streisand, Ronstadt and Connie Smith. The rest of us are only pretending.”

“It was an absolute dream come true to step onto the Ryman stage AND make my debut at the Grand Ole Opry on the same night,” said Caitlyn Smith. “There’s something holy about that place and you can feel it in the air. A night I will never forget for the rest of my life.”

Tonight was one of the most special nights of my life. Honored. Grateful. Heart so full. Thanks @opry for my #oprydebut - for a night I will never forget. 💙 Thanks @rolliegaalswyk @paulmoak and the Opry band for playing along so beautifully. Y'all are amazing!

A photo posted by Caitlyn Smith (@caitlynsmith) on Nov 5, 2016 at 10:49pm PDT

Flawlessly performing on the #Opry stage for the very first time, it's @caitlynsmith! pic.twitter.com/I8O44GRxsS

— Grand Ole Opry (@opry) 6 November 2016

Smith was recently inducted into the 2016 class of CMT’s Next Women of Country, which has included Brandy Clark, Sheryl Crow and Kacey Musgraves in past years. Smith’s songwriting credits include Hot AC No. 1 “Like I’m Gonna Lose You” (Meghan Trainor and John Legend) and the RIAA-Certified Platinum song, “Wasting All These Tears” (Cassadee Pope). She’s received cuts by Nashville icons including Garth Brooks, Dolly Parton, Kenny Rogers and more. Since releasing five tracks from her upcoming album Starfire, Smith has garnered more than 5 million streams on Spotify and has been tapped by Bobby Bones to tour with the Raging Idiots this fall.  

Caitlyn Smith Songwriting credits:

Garth Brooks MAN AGAINST MACHINE: "Tacoma" (writers: Bob DiPiero / Caitlyn Smith)

Lady Antebellum 747: Title cut (writers: Cary Barlowe / Gordie Sampson / Caitlyn Smith)

Cassadee Pope  FRAME BY FRAME: "Wasting All These Tears" (writers: Caitlyn Smith with husband Rollie Gaalswy)

Dolly Parton feat: Kenny Rogers "You Can't Make Old Friends" (Album BLUE SMOKE) (Writers: Ryan Hanna King / Don Schlitz / Caitlyn Smith)

Rascal Flatts CHANGED: "Let It Hurt" (Jay DeMarcus / Gordie Sampson / Caitlyn Smith)

Danielle Bradbery Self Titled album: "The Heart of Dixie" (writers: Brett James / Caitlyn Smith / Troy Verges) and "Never Like This" (writers: Steve McEwan / Gordie Sampson / Caitlyn Smith)

Sarah Darling's single “Home To Me” (writers by Caitlyn Smith & Bobby Hamrick)

Maggie Rose’s “Girl in Your Truck Song” penned by Caitlyn Smith, Gordie Sampson and Troy Verges

Nashville Cast/ Hayden Panettiere as Juliette Barnes: Season 2 "Don't Put Dirt on My Grave Just Yet" (writers Trent Dabbs / Caitlyn Smith)

Julie Roberts ALIVE album: "Let's Fight" (writers: Jason Collum / Julie Roberts / Caitlyn Smith)

Sarah Davidson's Self Titled: "Drink You Up" (writers: Steve McEwan / Gordie Sampson / Caitlyn Smith)

Maggie Sajak's "Wild Boy" (writers: Chris Lindsey / Aimee Mayo / Caitlyn Smith / Troy Verges)

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