Alex Miller was all smiles after singing the national anthem at Kroger Field. (Vicky Graff Photo)
Garrard County’s Alex Miller grew up a University of Kentucky sports fan but his dream was never to play for the Wildcats. Instead, he always dreamed of playing at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville.
Now the 21-year-old former American Idol contestant is going to have his dream come true June 27th thanks to country music singer Eddie Montgomery.
Montgomery has been an Opry member for 15 years and is being honored June 27th. He was able to work out having Miller perform on stage the same night.
“I got the news yesterday. I didn’t sleep last night and probably will not the rest of the week,” Miller said Wednesday. “It is crazy. I can’t believe it.”
Montgomery had casually called recently to ask Miler about his tour schedule and not long after “came walking in with an invitation to perform at the Opry” for Miller.
Miller will sing two songs — “Putting’ Up Hay’ and “My Daddy’s Dad.” Miller had his 11-year-old cousin help him film the music video for “My Daddy’s Dad” that premiered on Taste of Country Wednesday. The song is a tribute to Miller’s late grandfather, GB Miller.
“Grandpa loved my Dad and me so much. I was always asking questions about him, his dad, and his life,” Miller says. “For the video, I’m the one answering the questions for the next generation.”
In addition to farm chores, the clip shows Miller relaxing on the family’s porch and skipping stones at the pond with his cousin. Other footage features Alex rehearsing alone backstage — and on stage performing the song for an appreciative audience. The video was filmed April 24-26 at the family’s farm in Lancaster.
Tickets for the Grand Ole Opry show are available at https://www.opry.com/. Also performing that night will be Brennley Brown, Dailey & Vincent, Jimmy Fortune, Kelly Lang, Aaron Weber, and Sam Williams.
“My anxiety is through the roof. My adrenaline is so high already,” Miller said. “The Opry is a different deal. American Idol was great but it was not intimidating like the Opry. That’s all me and my granddad ever tried to do was get me to the Opry. That’s all I have ever worked for. This is a super big deal for me. I still can’t believe it and cannot imagine what it is going to be like having a chance to be on stage at the Opry.”
Tour Schedule
June 26 – Hebron, KY – Boone County Fair
June 27 – Nashville, TN – Grand Ole Opry debut
June 28 – Richmond, IN – Wayne County Fairgrounds
July 12 – Decatur, IL – Devon Lakeshore Amphitheater (Neal McCoy)
July 25 – Sidney, OH – Shelby County Fair – Fairgrounds
Aug 5 – Athens, OH – Athens County Fair – Fairgrounds
Aug 10 – Viola, DE – Loblolly Acres
Aug 21 – Louisville, KY – KY State Fair (Justin Moore)
Aug 23 – Centre Hall, PA – Centre County Grange Fair
Aug 29 – Caldwell, OH – TBA
Aug 31 – Meshoppen, PA – Wyoming County Fair (Ian Munsick)
