The iconic Grand Ole Opry reverberated with excitement as it welcomed esteemed honorees and emerging talents for unforgettable debuts on Saturday night. Grammy award recipient, Songwriters Hall of Fame member, and BBC Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Don McLean took the stage alongside veteran Major League Baseball star and emerging country singer Adam Wainwright, captivating audiences with their remarkable performances. McLean kicked off his set with his latest single, “American Boys,” followed by a spirited rendition of Johnny Cash’s “Folsom Prison Blues,” before closing with his timeless classic, “American Pie.” Meanwhile, Wainwright charmed the audience with his debut single, “Hey Y’all.”
Reflecting on his experience, McLean expressed, “I never felt more at home than I did tonight. The audience came to hear music, and music is what the Opry is all about.” Backstage, Wainwright echoed similar sentiments, sharing, “I’ve played on some great stages in the MLB, but I think this might be the coolest by far. What a blessing for me, my family, and my hometown.”
Saturday’s performances mark yet another milestone for the Opry, which continues to host a flurry of debuts. In 2023 alone, the show welcomed 131 artists for their debuts, breaking the record set just the year before. Among the upcoming debuts scheduled in the following weeks are Willi Carlisle, Dax, Tyler Halverson, Cris Jacobs, Jenny Lewis, The Price Sisters, Shane Smith and The Saints, Josh Sundquist, and more.
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In other exciting news, Don McLean is thrilled to announce his upcoming studio album, “American Boys,” set for release on May 17th by BFD/Audium Nashville, with exclusive distribution through The Orchard. The album, available for preorder today, features the title track, “American Boys,” which showcases a collaboration with Home Free. Paying homage to his rock and roll heroes, McLean’s latest single celebrates the pioneers of the genre, promising fans an exhilarating musical journey. With thirteen tracks, “American Boys” promises to deliver the quintessential Don McLean experience that fans have been eagerly anticipating.
McLean shared his excitement about the project, stating, “This is an album of all new songs. The title track, “American Boys,” featuring the guys from Home Free, is a fun song about the boys who invented rock and roll. America invented this music. Only America invented this music.”
To purchase/stream “American Boys” (Feat. Home Free) or to pre-order/pre-save the album, visit the respective links provided.
Additionally, as part of a new distribution deal with BFD/Audium Nashville, sixteen of Don McLean’s albums, newly remastered, will be re-released, including ‘Prime Time,’ ‘Chain Lightning,’ ‘Believers,’ ‘Greatest Hits Live!,’ ‘Don McLean Sings Marty Robbins,’ ‘The Western Album,’ and more.
To purchase/stream “American Boys” (Feat. Home Free), visit orcd.co/DonMcLeanAmericanBoysSingle
To pre-order or pre-save the American Boys album, visit orcd.co/DonMcLeanAmericanBoys
Upcoming Tour Dates include:
MAR 14-21 – 70’s Rock and Romance Cruise / Miami, Fla.
APR 06 – Rivers Casino Des Plaines / Des Plaines, Ill.
APR 27 – Riviera Theatre / North Tonawanda, N.Y.
MAY 04 – Pollak Theatre / West Long Branch, N.J.
MAY 11 – Bilheimer Capitol Theatre / Clearwater, Fla.
MAY 18 – T. Furth Center for the Performing Arts / Angola, Ind.
JUN 09 – Tower Theatre / Bend, Ore.
JUN 14 – Boot Barn Hall of Bourbon Brothers / Colorado Springs, Colo.
JUN 29 – Vienna Freedom Festival / Vienna, WVa.
JUL 13 – American Bank Center Selena Auditorium / Corpus Christi, Texas
JUL 20 – Boot Barn Hall / Gainesville, Ga.
JUL 28 – Belly Up / Solana Beach, Calif.
AUG 09 – The Canyon / Montclair, Calif.
AUG 10 – Libbey Bowl / Ojai, Calif.
SEP 04 – Wachholz College Center / Kalispell, MT
NOV 01 – Grand Theater / Wausau, Wisc.
NOV 09 – Silver Creek Event Center at Four Winds Casino / New Buffalo, Mich.
NOV 30 – The Parker / Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
DEC 06 – Tarrytown Music Hall / Tarrytown, N.Y.
DEC 07 – Landsdowne Theater / Lansdowne, Pa.
DEC 13 – The Birchmere / Alexandria, Va.
DEC 20 – Hawaii Theatre / Honolulu, Hawaii
