Half of Hometown of Hull, Georgia Fills the Opry House to Cheer on Newcomer and Her Brothers
NASHVILLE, TN June 21, 2023 –Country music Artist to Watch, Mackenzie Carpenter, made history last night (6/20) as she stepped into the world-famous Grand Ole Opry circle for her first time. The small-town girl-next-door who grew up singing on back porches and in church sanctuaries in the small town of Hull, Georgia, turned the major milestone into a family affair, bringing her brothers Micah (who is her guitar player and frequent co-writer) and Maclean (who she credits for getting her into music by teaching her guitar) to debut alongside her. Carpenter sang the song that kickstarted her career, “Can’t Nobody” and her cheeky viral hit, “Huntin’ Season” to a standing ovation.
With half of Hull (pop. 233) in the pews, the artist-on-the-rise honored her roots—wearing her late grandmother’s earrings and a replica of her late grandfather’s lucky horseshoe ring. Her proud parents beamed from the audience alongside her large support system of friends, family and team.
“I’ve been dreaming of this moment for so long, I’ve got to say it out loud… I’m Mackenzie Carpenter and this is my Grand Ole Opry debut!” she exclaimed from the stage.
Mackenzie had been to visit the iconic venue plenty, avoiding the circle each time, dreaming and waiting for the day she would one day grace the stage. One of those visits included an unexpected meeting with Little Big Town who surprised Mackenzie with an invite to play.
“I’m nervous, excited and have more energy than I know what to do with right now,” she said before taking the stage. “This is it. This is a moment I’ll be telling my grandkids about some day. It means the world that I get to share it with my brothers and have all my people here with me tonight. I need to take a few deep breaths and really soak it all in—it’s not every day a girl from my neck of the woods gets to live out such a big dream.”