Playing the Grand Ole Opry is more than just another milestone for Colt Graves — it’s the fulfillment of a lifelong dream and the continuation of a family tradition. With his sights still set on winning a Grammy, Graves is riding the momentum of his latest single release and an upcoming EP as he prepares to step onto one of country music’s most legendary stages.
“This is more than just a show; it’s a legacy,” Graves said in a social media announcement about the performance. “My grandfather and father both had the honor of performing at the Opry, and now, it’s my turn to continue that tradition. I’m beyond excited to stand in that iconic circle.”
Graves will make his Opry debut on March 22 and will be introduced on stage by Timbaland, the legendary producer and artist. Tickets for the performance are available at opry.com. The full lineup for the night has not yet been announced.
Since launching his solo career in 2021, Graves has remained laser-focused on three major goals: providing for his family full-time through music, playing the Grand Ole Opry, and winning a Grammy. With the Opry performance now on the horizon, he’s just one step away from crossing another dream off his list.
“Honestly, I communicated with UMG and Timbaland how important this was to me,” Graves said. “From the beginning, I spoke with everybody about my three major goals. One of those was to play the Grand Ole Opry and bring my father out with me because both my dad and grandfather had played there. My dad’s 78 years old, and I kind of joked, ‘Man, I’m trying to do it before he dies,’ you know what I mean? I communicated that not only with Universal but also with Tim. Sure enough, with a lot of hard work and determination, it was able to happen.”
Graves credits his hometown for helping him reach this point in his career.
“Honestly, it means the world,” he said. “Having family, friends, and fans who have been there, who have come to my shows — it’s incredible. Think back to when I first did PorchFest, you know? It was just a small group of people, and seeing that group grow has been amazing. The support, especially from my hometown, feels really, really good. I truly believe that if it weren’t for the support from Owensboro, it would have never reached the level it’s at now.”
Graves’ latest release, Better Place, is available on all streaming platforms. He is also working on an EP, with a new song, We Both Lie, expected to drop soon.
Beyond his upcoming performance, Graves has been adjusting to the life of a full-time musician. Since leaving his previous job, he has dedicated himself fully to his craft, balancing songwriting, recording, and touring. The transition has been exciting but also demanding.
“It’s been incredible,” Graves said. “It’s a lot of learning and navigating new territory. I don’t have to wake up and be at work at 9 a.m. and stay until 7 p.m. every night. I have the freedom to move how I want and work at the pace I like. But it also takes a lot of discipline to stay focused and continue pushing forward.”
With new opportunities also come new challenges, including extensive travel and time away from family. Graves acknowledges that while it’s a sacrifice, he cherishes the moments he gets to return home.
“There’s a lot of travel involved, but at this point, I don’t even think about it,” he said. “When I do get the chance to come back through Owensboro, I pretty much just stay home and cuddle up with the kids.”
Despite the adjustments, Graves remains committed to his long-term goal of earning a Grammy. He knows it will require authenticity, perseverance, and creating a sound that resonates with a wide audience.
“I think it’s going to take me being extremely authentic and vulnerable in my music — to be able to create a song and sound that’s undeniable and worthy of a Grammy,” he said.
Graves describes his sound as being a “country hybrid.”
“It’s a mainly country with hip-hop, pop, and R&B, and sometimes a little rock influence,” he said.
Graves fell in love with music as a child, aspiring to follow in the footsteps of his grandfather, Josh Graves. Graves’s father, Josh Jr., was also active on the music scene, playing with Jimmy C. Riley, who famously performed “Harper Valley PTA,” and other instrumental musicians on the folk scene.
Graves transitioned into a solo career in 2021 and released his first single, Lonesome Roads, in 2022, and things have only gone up from there. In May 2023, his single Dirt on Me quickly rose to No. 13 on the iTunes country music chart, and that was around the time he first connected with Timbaland. Less than 2 months later, Graves signed a record deal with Timbaland.
In October 2024, Graves became the first artist signed under the newly created partnership between Universal Music Group Nashville and Timbaland’s Mosley Music. His first release under UMGN and Mosley Music was the single Burning House.
Looking back, one of Graves’ most surreal moments was receiving a FaceTime call from Timbaland, who assured him that he had the potential to be a star.
“That’s probably still number one,” Graves said. “Just because it was so surreal. I have so much respect for Tim and have looked up to him for a really long time.”
As he prepares to take the stage at the Grand Ole Opry, Graves remains grateful for how far he has come and excited for what’s ahead. With his new music, the support of his fans, and his relentless drive, he’s determined to keep pushing toward his ultimate dream.
