Were it possible to feel history, to taste inspiration, to breath in awe and amazement, all in one simultaneous instant, the place to experience those sensations would be in Nashville’s historic Grand Ole Opry. After 97 years of bringing the best that Country music has to offer to the masses, this well-oiled machine is something to behold. The inviting, warm shimmer of the polished oak and mahogany; the soft gleam of gold and brass; twinkling lights and WSM radio over-head, all welcoming you into the most lasting of memories. These are the marvels and wonders for guests and audiences entering the celebrated building. And while debut artists participate in all this same spectacle, their experience is that much more internal, as they enjoy the opportunity to join Opry history on their first visit to the stage.

Such was the atmosphere for Adam Hood making his Grand Ole Opry debut; an intensely exciting, gorgeous Saturday night in October, with not an empty seat in the house. “Into the Circle” read the placard on his dressing room door. For all artists making their first appearance on the Opry stage, this is their door. Those are their words to consider for the evening: “Into the Circle.” How does the artist digest these words? As a challenge, like a gladiator stepping into the arena for battle? Or as a welcoming offer to join the Pantheon of all the prior legends who have filled that circle: “Take your place in this hallowed spot alongside us!”

Reflecting on the road that has brought Adam to this point, he does not believe there were any singular moments or events that put him here: “Everything has kinda lead me to something else. The last step lead me to the current step, that leads me to the next one. I do think, though, this is a pretty pinnacle moment; this is, so far, the mountain top.

“Before this record [Bad Days Better] came out… I had thought as a writer I’ve accomplished the things I wanted to. For the most part. I mean, of course you could always have number ones, but I don’t know that that kind of commercial success is the kind of stuff I’ve really shot for as a writer. And all my records I’m proud of… but with this one, the support behind it; the satellite and radio has been really good to us, Americana, all the charts have been really good to us… all the support we have gotten from [big names] has all come in, pretty much unsolicited, all saying this record is great! …and I think this record, it’s opened a lot of new doors for me.”

For Adam’s part, he has spent the last 30 years rising to the challenge of filling stages, venues, hearts and ears, with songs of the south; of hardworking, blue-collar folks; of community; of rising-above and redemption. He talks about finding inspiration in trying to write songs and build things that are relatable. Even if those relatable components are such simple things as the key a song is written in, a ¾ time swing tempo, or a fast, toe tapping, locomotive rhythm. Adam recognizes everyone has a grind, that they each differ, but in the end make us who we are. It’s that spirit that he tries to tap into with his roots-y music, telling the “every-man/every-woman” story.

As such, he is a man well prepared to meet the challenge of filling the immense Opry stage and circle. And fill that circle he did, in his trademark downhome, humble, yet attention-commanding way. With longtime sidekicks, supporters and advocates to his right and left; Davis Nix, serving up the emotion-driven lead guitar lines we know and love; and Justin Johnson, laying down the soulful, baseline grooves; Adam took center stage at this monument to country music and gave the Saturday night audience the performance it deserved. The circle was thoroughly and entirely filled this night.

On Adam’s history with Davis Nix, he says, “I’ve known Davis a long time, Davis really does everything; assistant manager, write stuff together. [We] wrote “Harder Stuff” together. And he’s a terrific musician. I’ve played for a long time with him and Trey (Davis Nix’s brother).”

“When I started really working with Davis, ya know, from a management perspective on tour management and stuff, I remember him saying one of his goals for me was “I want to see if I can get you on The Grand Ole Opry.” At the time, man, that was as far-fetched an idea as you could have ever said to me. Two years ago. I thought to myself “you’re crazy, you’re dreamin’,”… but well, since we did this, I figured it appropriate for him to join me on that stage.”

Regarding Justin Johnson’s part in the story of Adam Hood, he tells us, “Justin’s the guy that I did that first EP with, we recorded it in his basement. It’s the one everybody knows and recognizes.” Justin has had a large role in getting Adam Hood’s road started, and Adam attributes a lot of his early success and good decisions to Justin. “I mean, he introduced me to Britni (Adam’s wife), so I owe Justin a lot!”

Adam Hood’s fans, affectionately known as “Hoodies” to the community, represented very well on this Saturday in Nashville. The whoops and hollers resounded from all corners of the auditorium, which gave Adam a boost of confidence and security, making the grandness of this stage discernibly more comfortable. That genuine smile he shares when he’s in his element spread across his face at the sound of the fan base making its presence known. From that moment on, the circle was his.

As the always terrific Opry house band kicked off the downbeats of Adam’s recent single, “Harder Stuff,” a familiar feeling of serenity filled the room while the audience was entertained by this Miranda Lambert collaboration, followed by (arguably) Adam Hood’s most popular song (just ask Jamie Lin Wilson’s kids), “Way Too Long.” To compensate for this unnaturally short, 2-song set, the Opry provided Adam a brief interview, live in front of the Opry audience for the WSM radio program, where host Mike Terry commented on how thoroughly amazed and impressed he was by the abundance of Hood fans in the audience that night. Terry couldn’t recall a performance in recent memory with such a strong showing for a debut artist. Hoodies, of course, were not at all surprised by the turnout, but were pleasantly enthused that they were all recognized for their commitment.

“The fact that the people at the Opry noticed the amount of folks that were there to support this,” Adam beams, “… that they brought it up twice; that’s pretty special!”

Days after that momentous evening surrounded by family, friends and fans, he says he is still reveling in the experience, continuing to be grateful for the immense support: “I’m still sayin’ thank you’s and will be for a while. I’ve made it through all the texts for now and about halfway through all the other socials (media). It’s a labor of love, but it's a pleasure to be able to do so. Being miles apart from so many people, it’s how I stay connected.”

For Adam Hood fans, this night represented validation. Proof that their years of talking up Adam Hood to anyone who would listen was justified. For the myriad number of friends, collaborators and contributors to not only Adam’s catalog, but also those who can thank Adam for his contributions to their records, this night was long overdue. But, for Mr. Hood himself, the accolades and recognition that performing at the Opry bring are another magnificent, milestone achievement. What this step in his career path will provide next, we cannot know. Though he is confident it will not be a transition to something outlandish, like Polynesian R&B Funk. He believes, “I feel like I’ve just kind of hit my stride. This record, this was Brent’s [Cobb] aggressive encouragement to me to do the things that I do best. We really got on the blues-y side of things with this record, we really got roots-y. I think before, I kinda tried to make my records a little too singer-songwritery. And I think that was my intention to do those kinds of things because of the fact that I was afraid to let myself just sing blues music. Ya know, if you don’t do blues music well, maybe you just kind of leave it alone.”

“The blues thing, the rootsier thing, that’s kind of where I come from. This [record] has kind of been my first attempt at embracing it and doing it. And it’s worked! And so now that we’ve been able to do that, I think we just need to keep diggin’ and find new ways to bring it out.”

And while he says he’s not trying to follow Delbert McClinton’s path: “do a bunch of different things for years, and then later on hit on what you should have been doing all along and really make it big. But that seems like the direction it's going. Whether I like it or not, whether that’s my intention, it seems like it’s working like that.” Confidently I can say, the Hoodies are excited to see it all unfold! Onward and upward, and at the end of it all, more of the same brilliance that put him on The Grand Ole Opry stage on a Saturday night in October. It's turning out to be true; “the bad days are better than the good days used to be.” And the greatest of nights are spent stepping into the circle!

Find out more about Adam below:

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