AUSTIN (KXAN) — An Austin musician spent this weekend playing at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee.
Playing at the historic venue is a milestone achievement for many musicians, and Austin singer and songwriter Monte Warden has played there 14 times in his career.
“You just hope people know what you are doing and like it and every now and then you get a blessing of an invitation like that to come up and play the Grand Ole Opry,” Warden said.
Warden grew up in Austin and started his career in music when he was just a teenager.
“Just to have gone from a tip jar at Guero’s, to the stage of the Grand Ole Opry is a testament to our fans and just how blessed we are,” Warden said. “I am 58-years-old and I have been doing this since I was 14-years-old, you know that Nabil, and last night was an incredible miracle and a dream come true.”
His band, “The Dangerous Few”, joined him for this trip, along with his wife and son.
“Our son Brooks joined me on the Bass vocals, Brandi (Monte’s wife) joined me, her friend Mollie Hemmingway joined in, and it was the best reception I’ve gotten at the Grand Ole Opry before,” said Warden.
Warden has written hits for George Straight, Travis Tritt and Josh Turner to name a few.
Warden has a show coming up on August 21 at Parker Jazz Club in downtown Austin.
You can also catch him at the Historic Broken Spoke, he plays there on the last Friday of every month.