01of 17Gang’s All HereKatie KaussDeadhorse and I are still on a high from three sold-out shows at the Ryman Auditorium. Not bad for a girl goin' nowhere, right? The magic is that room and that sacred stage. Here’s a journey through 72 hours at the Ryman.
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Gang’s All Here
Katie Kauss
Deadhorse and I are still on a high from three sold-out shows at the Ryman Auditorium. Not bad for a girl goin' nowhere, right? The magic is that room and that sacred stage. Here’s a journey through 72 hours at the Ryman.
02of 17Soundcheck — Night 1Katie KaussThe first time I played the Ryman stage was in 2017 when I joined Marty Stuart for his CMA fest late-night jam. It’s always been a dream of mine to headline there. Then we got word we’d get to do back-to-back nights. Then they came back and said that fans really wanted a third night. ‘What? Let’s gooooo!’ So surreal. Here I am alone on the stage at soundcheck before the first night. This is where the jitters start.
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Soundcheck — Night 1
The first time I played the Ryman stage was in 2017 when I joined Marty Stuart for his CMA fest late-night jam. It’s always been a dream of mine to headline there. Then we got word we’d get to do back-to-back nights. Then they came back and said that fans really wanted a third night. ‘What? Let’s gooooo!’ So surreal. Here I am alone on the stage at soundcheck before the first night. This is where the jitters start.
03of 17The Crowd - Night 1Katie KaussI hear the crowd. I look around and I can’t find one empty chair. It blows my mind that we filled every seat. Wait, let me back up.
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The Crowd - Night 1
I hear the crowd. I look around and I can’t find one empty chair. It blows my mind that we filled every seat. Wait, let me back up.
04of 17All Smiles - Night 1Katie KaussThis photo was right after our second song, “El Dorado,” from theGirl Going Nowherealbum. I’m taking in the magic and realizing I’m living in a dream.
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All Smiles - Night 1
This photo was right after our second song, “El Dorado,” from theGirl Going Nowherealbum. I’m taking in the magic and realizing I’m living in a dream.
05of 17Lainey Wilson Joins for “When Will I Be Loved” - Night 1Katie KaussEach night we had a powerhouse open up the show. I am so proud of my sister Lainey’s success, and I loved singing with her here.
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Lainey Wilson Joins for “When Will I Be Loved” - Night 1
Each night we had a powerhouse open up the show. I am so proud of my sister Lainey’s success, and I loved singing with her here.
06of 17Toasting Eric Church - Night 1Katie KaussEric Church was one of the first artists to bring me up on stage in 2017 to perform my song “Bible and a 44.” It only felt right to ask him to join us at the Ryman, and I still can’t believe he said yes. We surprised the fans with “Midnight Rider.” After this song, I could see him out of the corner of my eye watching from sidestage. They don’t make ‘em any better than him.
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Toasting Eric Church - Night 1
Eric Church was one of the first artists to bring me up on stage in 2017 to perform my song “Bible and a 44.” It only felt right to ask him to join us at the Ryman, and I still can’t believe he said yes. We surprised the fans with “Midnight Rider.” After this song, I could see him out of the corner of my eye watching from sidestage. They don’t make ‘em any better than him.
07of 17The Band Backstage - Night 1Katie KaussAt the end of the show, I said, ‘I love makin’ music with you boys and all I need from you is all you’ve got. Let’s do it again.’
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The Band Backstage - Night 1
At the end of the show, I said, ‘I love makin’ music with you boys and all I need from you is all you’ve got. Let’s do it again.’
08of 17In the Hank Williams Dressing Room - Night 2Katie KaussThe head of my record label, John Esposito, and my manager, John Peets, are bracing me for a bit of a surprise pre-show.
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In the Hank Williams Dressing Room - Night 2
The head of my record label, John Esposito, and my manager, John Peets, are bracing me for a bit of a surprise pre-show.
09of 17"One Night Standards" Has Gone Platinum - Night 2Katie KaussSo it’s a big deal to go Platinum. The RIAA’s Jackie Jones joins us where she tells me we’re one of only 20 to do this in country and one of only three women in the format to achieve this honor in the last two years. That’s still sinking in!
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“One Night Standards” Has Gone Platinum - Night 2
So it’s a big deal to go Platinum. The RIAA’s Jackie Jones joins us where she tells me we’re one of only 20 to do this in country and one of only three women in the format to achieve this honor in the last two years. That’s still sinking in!
10of 17Ladies and Gentlemen, Terri Freakin' Clark! - Night 2Katie KaussWe cranked out “Poor, Poor Pitiful Me.” She was my hero, now she’s my friend, and we got to sing at the Ryman together. This was another of so many surreal moments.
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Ladies and Gentlemen, Terri Freakin' Clark! - Night 2
We cranked out “Poor, Poor Pitiful Me.” She was my hero, now she’s my friend, and we got to sing at the Ryman together. This was another of so many surreal moments.
11of 17The Plaque Returns - Night 2Katie KaussSo before the show, Terri saw the Platinum plaque and said, ‘No way this is staying in your dressing room.’ Having her bring it out on stage was a surprise, yet that’s what’s so great about the women in this format — we support one another and celebrate right alongside you! It was great to share this with the fans in the crowd, too, as this is just as much theirs as it is ours.
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The Plaque Returns - Night 2
So before the show, Terri saw the Platinum plaque and said, ‘No way this is staying in your dressing room.’ Having her bring it out on stage was a surprise, yet that’s what’s so great about the women in this format — we support one another and celebrate right alongside you! It was great to share this with the fans in the crowd, too, as this is just as much theirs as it is ours.
12of 17All Faked Up - Night 3Katie KesselIt wouldn’t be a photo gallery without an #AllFakedUp photo of Dayna and me pre-show. Warming up in my dressing room for the final night!
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All Faked Up - Night 3
Katie Kessel
It wouldn’t be a photo gallery without an #AllFakedUp photo of Dayna and me pre-show. Warming up in my dressing room for the final night!
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Ryman Surprise - Night 3
14of 17Tiny Helper in My Dressing Room - Night 3Katie KesselI love it when it feels like one big family backstage. My friend Katie’s 18-month-old little girl was helping me warm up, and I got the best pre-show high five.
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Tiny Helper in My Dressing Room - Night 3
I love it when it feels like one big family backstage. My friend Katie’s 18-month-old little girl was helping me warm up, and I got the best pre-show high five.
15of 17Third and Final - Night 3Katie KesselTaking it all in. I’m a lucky girl.
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Third and Final - Night 3
Taking it all in. I’m a lucky girl.
16of 17The Incomparable Chris Harris - Night 3Katie KesselI love standing beside this man. He’s a damn fine songwriter, singer and picker. Night 3, instead of a surprise guest, we were just a girl and her band. Chris brought the house down with his song, “Tomorrow.”
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The Incomparable Chris Harris - Night 3
I love standing beside this man. He’s a damn fine songwriter, singer and picker. Night 3, instead of a surprise guest, we were just a girl and her band. Chris brought the house down with his song, “Tomorrow.”
17of 17That’s a Wrap - Night 3Katie KesselMic drops are expensive, so I did the good old-fashioned hand-off. What an amazing experience. I didn’t take one minute for granted. Thank you to everyone that showed up and sang along. See you soon!
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That’s a Wrap - Night 3
Mic drops are expensive, so I did the good old-fashioned hand-off. What an amazing experience. I didn’t take one minute for granted. Thank you to everyone that showed up and sang along. See you soon!
source: people.com
