'You feel part of history': William Prince on making his Grand Ole Opry debut

Q33:23William Prince on his new album Stand in The Joy

William Prince is no longer Canada's best kept secret. Since winning the Juno for contemporary roots album of the year in 2017, the singer-songwriter's career has skyrocketed.

This year has been particularly big for Prince. In addition to releasing a new album, Stand In The Joy, he also shared the stage with Willie Nelson in support of Farm Aid and made his debut at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville back in February.

"Oh jeez, I'm still reeling from it," Prince told Q's Tom Power about his Grand Ole Opry debut. "I love how it's this pinnacle of all things, but at the same time it felt really casual being there. It felt like a family, felt like the music I grew up playing, you know!"

Prince said performers making their debut at the Grand Ole Opry are put in "the first timer's dressing room" right by the entrance. He was touched that country legends like Lorrie Morgan and Bill Anderson came by to greet him and wish him well that night.

"Everybody checks in on everybody," he said. "I was really taken by the moment. And then you're walking in, of course, and, you know, there's tourist groups going on, and they're like, 'Well here's one of our artists right now, tonight, making his Opry debut!' And you're caught off guard and they applaud for you, and it's so beautiful and genuine the way it is there.

"And the band, [it's] just incredible playing with that band. They know your song so well and [it's] truly, truly a highlight. And you stand on a cut-out circle of the original Opry and it squeaks louder than the rest of the stage and it just, wow, you feel part of history."

Prince grew up on Peguis First Nation, but now calls Winnipeg his home. For him, it was especially meaningful to join a line of Indigenous artists who've taken the stage at the iconic venue before him.

"For the length of its history, thinking of how many First Nations performers have been invited to play I think of, you know, Shane Yellowbird, who we lost recently, Crystal Shawanda, you know and for me to go there and add to this history was really special for me," he said.

The full interview with William Prince is available on our podcast, Q with Tom Power. He also talked about opening for Willie Nelson and his new album, Stand In The Joy. Listen and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

Interview withWilliam Princeproduced by Mitch Pollock.