By Joel Langton
The 830 Times
A Del Rio native sang at the iconic Grand Ole Opry for his first time Friday night, but probably not the last.
It was a whirlwind three weeks for William Beckmann. Thursday night, he opened for Pat Green and Randy Rogers at the historic Ryman Auditorium. The next night he hit the stage of the Grand Ole Opry and two weeks earlier, he was featured at the San Antonio Rodeo and Stock Show.
More than 100 Del Rio residents found their way to Nashville to see Beckmann’s big moment, Beckmann’s mom, Tammy Hyslop said.
He hit the Opry stage after being introduced by fellow Texas artist and Opry member Jamey Johnson.
Johnson laid lots of praise on Beckmann, and called his song, “Bourbon and Whiskey,” one of his favorites.
Beckmann was surprised by Johnson’s presence.
“I”ve written with him and hung out with him at George Strait’s golf tournament we play at every year but I had no idea he would go out of his way to be there on my big night,” Beckmann said.
Beckmann opened his 10-minute set with Johnson’s favorite.
Afterwards, he told the audience, “I’m William Beckmann and I’m from Del Rio, Texas,” he said, as the packed auditorium roared.
Moments later, he said, “I’m from Del Rio so I have to do one song in Spanish,” and went into Vicente Fernandez’s Volver Volver.
The Grand Ole Opry show is broadcast live on WSM radio station, a 50,000 watt station
based out of Nashville, and the show is called the world’s longest running radio program by the station’s PR department. A few that have hit the stage include
As Beckmann walked off the historic stage, the program’s announcer grabbed him for a two-minute live interview.
Beckmann said he’d never forget the night. “When you step in the circle, the world stops. You feel the past, present and future of country music. Then you pinch yourself because you get to be a part of it.”
The writer can be reached at Joelalangton@gmail.com .
