I believe one of the biggest goals and wishes of any artist who has their dreams and career set on Nashville is to one day enter onto the Circle on the stage of the hallowed Grand Ole Opry. For James Carothers, the wish is coming true. He will play the for the first time on Friday, January 17, 2020, performing before country icon Alan Jackson during his sets at both the 7:00 P.M., and the 9:30 P.M. shows that evening at the Ryman Auditorium.
James is no stranger around the honky-tonks of Nashville, starting out as what some would call a regular on stage at the George Jones Museum in 2015 as well as Alan Jackson's AJ's Good Time Bar on Lower Broadway. He has become and strong and welcomed ambassador for the true authentic country sound that many miss. 2019 also has had James touring new places and garnering more fans as he goes.
His debut came about by James becoming the 2018 WSM Road Show Winner, resulting, in the opportunity to make his Grand Ole Opry debut opening for Alan. He was also selected by the legend from the crop of rising artists who play at AJ’s Good Time Bar, his self-owned honky-tonk on downtown Nashville’s famed “Lower Broadway,” to open select dates on 2019 Alan's “Honky Tonk Highway” tour.
"The Opry has been a goal of mine for the longest time, so getting to play the same night as Alan Jackson at the Ryman is the best news ever," James said. "I can't wait to see all of my family and friends there. It's just going to be a tremendous honor."
I met James a few years back at CRS (Country Radio Seminar) in Nashville and knew then after listening to his music and talking with him he was what country music needed. He stays true to the traditions that brought so many to the genre and has won praise in doing so. James' debut comes on the heels of his latest album,'Songs and Stories' released independently on November 22, 2019 and available at: https://smarturl.it/songs-stories.
Do not pass up a chance to find out who James is if you haven't already, by listening to the heart and soul he puts into every song, be it a cover or one of his own. Go to: https://www.opry.com/search/?q=james+carothers&filter=shows for Opry tickets or listen in on WSM Country Radio. To keep up with James stop by his website at: https://jamescarothers.com. I am very proud of this young man I can call my friend, he is deserving of this special night.