Kree Harrison Makes Her Grand Ole Opry Debut With Help From Keith Urban
Sometimes, being runner-up isn't so bad -- especially if it leads you to one of the most prestigious stages in country music. 'American Idol' runner-up Kree Harrison made her Grand Ole Opry debut on Tuesday (June 4), sharing the stage with both Kellie Pickler and Keith Urban.
The 23-year-old singer was introduced by the 'Little Bit of Everything' hitmaker. "That's the voice you want to hear at the Opry, and that's the spirit you want to feel," Urban said as she took the stage, according to USA Today.
It was an emotional evening, because after Harrison performed her new single 'All Cried Out,' she paid tribute to her father, who passed away when she was 12 years old. She sang the hymn 'In the Garden,' introducing it by saying, "I always told my dad, 'If I ever get to play the Opry, I'm going to do your favorite hymn.'"
Urban accompanied Harrison on a version of the Sammi Smith hit 'Help Me Make It Through the Night.' He has been rooting for the singer all along and even performed with her on 'Idol,' so it was only fitting that he was part of her Opry debut.
As she exited the iconic stage stage, Harrison said, "It was way more than I thought it was going to be. I was standing on the circle and trying to look around and kind of take everything in."
The young singer also told the audience that she wanted to kneel down and kiss the large circle of oak at center stage, which is a remnant from the Ryman Auditorium, but her dress prevented her from doing it. "If ever I come back, I'm going to not wear a dress and I'm just going to kiss it," she said. "I feel like it's not ladylike in a dress."
Hopefully, Harrison will have many more opportunities to kiss the floor which has housed so many acclaimed country music stars. With her talent and blooming career, the probability is high.