Pryor Baird Makes An Emotional Grand Ole Opry Debut Earning A Standing Ovation

Nashville, Tenn., January 30: Dynamic songwriter, guitarist, and Black River recording artist Pryor Baird stepped into the legendary Grand Ole Opry circle for the very first time during his Opry debut this past Friday night (Jan. 26). Baird marked the release of his brand-new track, "Mighta Met A Girl" and its accompanying lyric video by offering a release day performance of the powerful third offering from the soulful rising country artist. After stepping off the coveted stage, Baird was joined by his family, friends, and team in the Opry's Circle Room for an intimate post-debut celebration.

The "multi-talented guitarist, songwriter, and artist" (Country Now) kicked off his Opry debut day with an early morning interview on 650 AM WSM's Coffee, Country & Cody. Baird arrived at the Grand Ole Opry later that day, where he was welcomed by a film crew who followed him for the evening, documenting the special occasion. 

WSM's Kelly Sutton, the host for the evening, introduced an eager Baird to the Opry stage as he began his debut set with a performance of his (1/26) release, "Mighta Met A Girl" via Black River. Co-written by Baird with Chris Gelbuda and David Tolliver, "Mighta Met A Girl" is produced by Doug Johnson. The feel-good tune brings listeners along on Baird's lighthearted journey during a night out with friends that begins like any other, but ends anything but  — leaving him lovestruck and hopeful that he "mighta met a girl last night." 

After the rush of stepping into the circle and performing his uptempo love story, Baird thanked and acknowledged our US Military, first responders, teachers, and survivors. 

Getting even more personal with the supportive Opry crowd, Baird touched on how in life, everyone is faced with hardships and loss. However in overcoming those times, one can find beauty. He then dedicated his next performance to his father, who recently passed unexpectedly, saying, "This one's for you, Dad." With the help of the legendary Opry band's Randy Hart on keys, Baird belted out his emotional unreleased ballad, "Beauty In The Broken."

Although the track has not yet been released, it was the perfect song for Baird to honor one of the most influential people in his life, his father, who helped shape Baird into the artist and person he is today.

Following the emotional performance, Baird was treated to a rare standing ovation and joined host Kelly Sutton for an interview at the podium. In a moment of celebration and reverence, Sutton shared that she was sure his father was indeed looking down on this incredible night. "I think he was here tonight and I hope he had a good time," Baird replied. "He's definitely ready to have a cold beer after this - at least two or three."

Riding the high of reaching the career milestone after dreaming about this day for nearly his whole life, Baird's family, friends, and music industry alike gathered for an intimate after-party to mark the occasion. Hosted by Baird's record label and publishing home, Black River, along with his management team, Starstruck Entertainment, the evening included remarks from Baird and a commemorative cake donning the image of a five-year-old Baird with his first guitar, as well as the Grand Ole Opry stage.

"I want to say thank you to every single person that has ever reached into what I'm doing and said, 'We believe in it. We want to be a part of it.' That just speaks volumes, and I'm so thankful," shared Baird during the reception, surrounded by his closest supporters. "I truly have the greatest team, family, and fans - thank you so much for letting this be a reality. Work hard, and dream big."

Since the track's release, "Mighta Met A Girl" has secured spots on top playlists including Apple Music's New In Country; Spotify's New Music Friday Country; Amazon Music's Breakthrough Country; PANDORA’s Top Country Hits; and Vevo's New Music Friday.

"With an ultra-relatable lyric and memorably catchy melody that masterfully smashes into his gifted know-how of keeping his signature flares well intact, Pryor Baird continues to showcase the unique definitions of who he is as a songwriter and artist..." - Jeffrey Kurtis

Baird is only heating up as he prepares to embark on the Nashville Hits the Roof series kicking off on 2/1 with a performance in Nashville before hitting the road for shows in South Carolina and North Carolina. Tickets are available HERE.

For additional photos from Pryor Baird's Opry debut and celebration, click HERE.

ABOUT PRYOR BAIRD
Dynamic songwriter, guitarist, and artist Pryor Baird has done it all. He learned to play the guitar as a toddler, fronted a band in high school, moved to Music City to start a solo career in country music, and evolved from a bluesy country solo contestant on NBC's The Voice into a soulful country-rock duo, all the while perfecting his authority as a guitar-wielding country-rock artist. On Friday (1/26), Baird stepped into the coveted Circle as he made his Grand Ole Opry debut. The soulful country riser released his newest track, "Mighta Met A Girl," and the song's accompanying lyric video on the same day (1/26). Co-written by Black River Publishing's Baird with Chris Gelbuda and David Tolliver, "Mighta Met A Girl" is produced by Doug Johnson. This Thursday (2/1), Pryor is slated to kick off four special dates with Nashville Hits the Roof with a performance in Nashville before hitting the road for shows in South Carolina and North Carolina. Baird delivered his debut single on Black River, "You Are To Me," in June 2023 and his second offering, "Chasin' Shadows," the latter which was produced by Doug Johnson and Bobby Terry, as a solo artist on Black River in August of the same year. Produced by Johnson alongside Jonathan Smith, the heartfelt "You Are To Me" continues to set the tone for the "soulfully fueled" (Today's Country Magazine) singer's career, with more than 300,000 streams since its June 2 release. Both tracks have received strong DSP support, earning spots on top playlists, including Spotify's New Music Friday Country, CMT: The Roundup, and Next From Nashville; Apple Music's New in Country, CMT: The Roundup and Breakthrough Country (Canada); Pandora's New Country Now and TIDAL's Country Pop, solidifying Pryor Baird as a country riser to watch. Baird embarked on a 12-city trek in support of hitmaker David Nail where he performed his new music for eager fans this past summer. Baird — an Orcutt, California, native — was captivated by guitar when he saw his uncle strumming in the kitchen. He was barely a toddler, and more than 30 years later, he remembers the man was sitting in the old green chair. Pryor hurried past the hutch and sat down in front of his uncle to stare at the strings. "I was completely enamored," the "multi-talented guitarist, songwriter, and artist" (Country Now) says. "It was the coolest thing I'd ever seen." Pryor was three years old when he asked for a guitar and started lessons six months later. His parents got him a Fender amplifier that clipped to his belt loop, and he walked around playing in the wide-open space surrounding his home. While in college, Baird spent summers in San Diego playing with a couple of different groups before starting a band of his own. The newly formed band, Pryor Baird and the Deacons, played five nights a week for almost a decade, and he supplemented his income tending bar. The job ended, and unsure and nervous, he went to talk to his dad and told him he was moving to Nashville. Two weeks later, Baird sold everything except ten guitars, an amplifier, a suitcase, and his bed, which he strapped on top of his Ford F-150 truck. The bluesy singer and guitarist didn't know anyone in Music City but made the cross-country drive to give it a shot. At the time, he got a job waiting tables before shifting to construction work. When he started questioning himself, a friend recommended him for The Voice. Two weeks later, he was in Los Angeles to play a blind audition. He got a four-chair turn, joined Team Blake, and ultimately made it to Season 14's Top Six. Following his return to Nashville, a never-ending passion combined with his tireless work ethic paid off, and God stepped in. Baird signed a recording and publishing deal with Black River Entertainment in 2020. 

For more information, please visit pryorbaird.com and follow Pryor Baird on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and TikTok.