Adam Sanders has accomplished a goal decades in the making.
Just months after winning the inaugural season of The Road, the Florida native officially made his Grand Ole Opry debut on June 24, capping off a whirlwind stretch that has transformed one of Nashville’s most respected songwriters into one of country music’s fastest-rising artists.
Adam Sanders Finally Stepped Into the Circle
Before the performance, Sanders described the Opry as a lifelong dream.
Read More: Adam Sanders Wins ‘The Road’ — Then Keith Urban Leans In With a Message He’ll Never Forget [Watch]
“I’ve worked my whole life for this moment,” he said. “Ever since I was a kid, I’ve dreamt about the night my boots touch the circle.”
He added that playing the Grand Ole Opry was an honor he had held close to his heart for years.
The Long Road to the Opry
For many fans, Sanders became a household name after winning the inaugural season of The Road, the Blake Shelton and Taylor Sheridan-produced competition series in which rising artists competed while opening for Keith Urban on tour.
But his journey began long before reality television.
Sanders first earned recognition as a SiriusXM Highway Find in 2014 before building one of Nashville’s most impressive songwriting résumés.
Read More: ‘The Road’ Winner Adam Sanders Reveals How He Spent Prize Money
His credits include No. 1 hits like Dustin Lynch‘s “Hell of a Night” and Cole Swindell‘s “Ain’t Worth the Whiskey,” along with songs recorded by Luke Bryan, Dierks Bentley, Blake Shelton and many more.
A Full-Circle Moment
Perhaps fittingly, Sanders learned he had been invited to make his Opry debut during an appearance on SiriusXM’s Highway Mornings with Cody Alan. The same platform helped launch his career more than a decade earlier.
“SiriusXM ‘The Highway’ is where my story as an artist began back in 2014,” Sanders said.
To have the announcement of my Opry debut lead me right back to where it all began is proof God had a plan all along. Talk about a full circle, to get to THE circle moment.
Immediately after receiving the news, Sanders called his father on the air.
“I’ve waited as long as you have for this,” his father told him, ” a moment that left Cody Alan and SiriusXM personality Lauryn Snapp fighting back tears.
What’s Next?
The Opry debut is just the latest milestone in what has already been a remarkable year.
In addition to winning The Road, Sanders recently announced his engagement to longtime girlfriend Nancy Villaseñor. He’s also preparing to release a new album later this year while continuing to build momentum with his latest single, “His to Mine,” which was recently featured in Taylor Sheridan’s new series Marshals.
5 Things You Didn’t See on TV During the Grand Ole Opry’s ‘Opry 100’ Special
The Grand Ole Opry’s Opry 100: A Live Celebration special was jam-packed with special moments and one-of-a-kind collaborations — but some of the biggest highlights were things you didn’t even see on TV.
Scroll through the list below to see all of the behind-the-scenes highlights, including one Opry member who met an idol for the first time, and a singer who was conspicuously absent from the show.
Gallery Credit: Carena Liptak
