Nashville’s greatest export, The Grand Ole Opry, has been setting the soundtrack for America for over 100 years. Tonight, the world didn’t just listen—it went to church.

Brandon Lake made his long-awaited Opry debut at the historic Grand Ole Opry House, delivering a night of powerful worship and unforgettable performances. Fans packed the legendary venue to witness the GRAMMY-winning artist bring his signature energy and heartfelt praise to country music’s most hallowed stage.

Before Lake was introduced, the crowd was already standing to cheer. As he took to the mic, stating, “My first time in The Circle—this is the most incredible honor ever, and y’all… we’re gonna have a little bit of church.”

Lake opened his set with the fan-favorite “Honey in the Rock,” bringing the crowd to its feet with an electrifying performance that fused passion and praise. Lake also premiered a brand-new song inspired by the Prodigal Son, entitled “Daddy’s DNA.” It is sure to be a fan favorite and received a standing ovation.

Lake took us back to the beginning for his final song, “Gratitude.” As he led the audience in worship, the room transformed from a concert hall into a sanctuary.

Just when the night seemed to reach its peak, Lake returned to the stage for an emotional duet with Jelly Roll on “Hard Fought Hallelujah.” This was the first live performance. The two artists, known for their authenticity and faith-driven messages, delivered a performance that left few dry eyes in the house.

Before the song, Jelly Roll took a moment to reflect on his friendship with Lake and the impact of their collaboration.

“He is one of the greatest men, not to mention one of the greatest Christians… This man came into my life, and he brought a message that has been in me my whole life, but it has not been awoken the way he awakened it.”

Members of Jelly Roll’s family were in attendance to see this collaboration. “I knew it’d be one of the most special songs of my career.”

Brandon Lake’s Opry debut wasn’t just a performance—it was a testimony. The Grand Ole Opry has long been a place where stories are told and legacies are built. Tonight, Brandon Lake added his name to that history, proving once again that music can move mountains and that even in the most unexpected places, the world is always ready to worship.

After the performance, Charlie Mattos, announcer of the Opry, brought Lake over for an interview.

“There are 330,000 Christian churches in the United States—and on any given Sunday, 329,000 of them are singing ‘Gratitude,’ including my church this past Sunday,” said Mattos jokingly. “People say your ears are burning when someone is talking about you… are you on fire every Sunday?”

Brandon simply replied, “On fire with the Holy Ghost!”

Logan and Amanda Sekulow, owners of CCM Magazine, want to thank and acknowledge Justin Fratt and all of their friends at the Gospel Music Association for the invite.

Leave a Reply