Keith Whitley Quotes

There's so many great things that happened at the Grand Ole Opry in 50 years. You get the chance to go out and visit with your peers. You get a chance to sing your song and say hello to so many friends and neighbors and all that you have. It's just - well, it's a second home.

As a country singer, there is only one place you dream of playing in your lifetime, and that is the Grand Ole Opry House.

The first time I remember going to Nashville was in 1971 back when 'Snowbird' was a hit and I performed at the Grand Ole Opry.

I would have to say I've been on the 'Opry' at least 30-35-40 times a year for... 51-52 years.

I'd definitely love to play in Nashville again. That would be really good.

I got to perform at the Grand Ole Opry, which is just so amazing. That stage is iconic; it was awesome being on it.

When you go to the Opry for a show or hear it on the radio, you get the whole circle of country music.

I love Nashville. It's such a great town, and I'm a huge country music fan. That's what I listen to on the radio in the car.

I grew up listening to Hank Williams and Johnny Cash, so arriving in Nashville in the '60s was really exciting for me.

Playing at the Opry, for me, it has such a history. It feels sort of like a coming-out party as a country artist. To know your heroes have played here is kind of crazy.

I want to play the Grand Ole Opry for sure. And I want to meet and play with people like Emmylou Harris and Vince Gill.

Growing up, I always considered the Grand Ole Opry to be hallowed ground.

I can only say the first thing that pops into my mind is I remember, years ago, seeing kind of a has-been country singer working - when I first moved to Nashville - in a bar in a Holiday Inn.

First time I walked out on the Opry stage, Vince Gill was there. He kind of 'daddied' me through the whole thing. My knees were knocking. I walked out there, and I was literally shaking. They say it's the spirits or the ghosts. And out of respect for that whole establishment, I was really really nervous.

I'd really love to play a real-life country and western singer.

There's something interesting about playing live; you're in the moment, and I think it would be beneficial.

I think I definitely enjoy recording, but I think it's more fun to go out and perform live, because it's like instant gratification, you know? You feel the response immediately.

I'm not just a big-haired redhead country singer who dresses flamboyantly, has this wicked sense of humor and wears rhinestones.

Playing live is such a total visceral experience, and really, as a musician, you're trained from the beginning to be a live performer.

My history is really playing live - not writing or recording.

The Grand Ole Opry is an artist, and I am proud to be one of its songs.

There is an event once a year that I'm able to sing at, through 'Passions,' in Tennessee. That's always fun. We perform at the Wild Horse Saloon.

There's no doubt arena shows are exciting, but you don't get that up close and personal kind of vibe, and that's what rock n' roll is all about for me.

Immediate, simultaneous connection between the audience and a performer is crucial to me. It's why I do what I do. Other things, like recording, are satisfying, but they're not the same. I love the connection I get with the audience when I'm sitting behind that piano.

I've always wanted to sing country music.