Well, we had another wonderful time at the Ky Opry this past weekend. Jonathan was one of the top 6 in the beginner’s division during this semi-final round. The top 3 in his division advances to the final round this weekend.
And Jonathan made it to the top three!!
We just had Eli with us on this trip. Adam and Luke decided to stay with my brother and his family for some “cousin time.”
It was a packed house this time because the top 6 winners from all four categories were performing (beginner, junior, adult, sr. adult)!
Here’s my favorite part of the Opry…
I get a coke and popcorn before every show! YUM! 
The music was great as always! So many talented singers singing so much wonderful country music! Jonathan sang Tim McGraw’s “Live like you were Dying.” It was the first time he had every sung with a live band. He said the music was so loud in his hearing aids that he had a hard time hearing himself sing. So he seems to be straining a little when he sings. He also messed up on the words a little too.
But overall, he did a GREAT job! I am amazed that that is my sweet little 12 year old boy up there singing. I can see his confidence building on stage with each performance. He is so in his element and loves singing more than anything else. He has learned so much by being a part of this competition. Such a great learning experience!!!
(This is a shortened version of the song because they have to keep their performance under 3 minutes and 30 seconds.)
While the judges were tallying up the votes, we had the pleasure of listening to the Ky Opry band play!
Clay Campbell is the owner of the Ky Opry and an amazingly talented man! They put on a great show!
You would not believe the talented young people that play on that stage every week! This young lady, Carson McKee (only 12 years old!), is one of the most amazing fiddle players I have ever heard! I could listen to her play for hours! That’s her brother on the fiddle too, and another young man on the banjo. They are so, so good!
Here is clay singing with one of the beginner division contestants, Laney Evans. She is such a doll!
Here are the winners from each division…
Skylar Cain, Jonathan Hutcherson, Laney Evans
Caylee Hall, Clint Fisher, Lauren Smethwick
Austin Cunningham, Drew Baldridge, Marshall Dowdy, Brandi Gibson
Maddawg, Dennis Wayne Bass, Dee Dee Guthrie
Now we head back to the Ky Opry this coming Saturday for the Finals! Jonathan will compete against all the other contestants from the other divisions as well. He will be singing a slow song and a fast song.
We are so thrilled to be a part of this competition and have already gained more blessings than words could express! We have made so many wonderful new friends and made so many great family memories.
Many, many thanks to Clay Campbell for hosting such a wonderful event and investing so much time and energy into encouraging and mentoring so many amazing singers!
Eli loves getting to see “Tay Tampbell” each time!
On Sunday mornings, the Ky Opry hosts “Cowboy Church”, and we had the honored of attending.
Eli was EXTREMELY proud of his Cowboy Bible!
We sang many wonderful hymns that took me straight back to my childhood. I could hear my mom singing them in my ear. My heart was overflowing with joy and gratefulness to God. It doesn’t matter how we sing his praises, it just matters that we praise Him!
Carson Wright is another amazing young man who plays the mandolin. Such a precious, talented kid!
Jonathan sang with the band that morning. He sang “How Great Thou Art.” He had already started singing when I thought, “Hey! I can video this on my iphone!” So I quickly started filming, but didn’t get the first verse or so. If you listen closely, you can hear Eli singing beside me. It’s not the best picture, but I think you will enjoy hearing Jonathan sing.
My cup runneth over, y’all.
After church, we ate lunch with our new, sweet friends, The McKee family. When we were finished eating, the kids got out their instruments and started strumming away. They are truly amazing!!! Eli enjoyed dancing to the music.
Jonathan listened and loved hanging out with his new friends. He is begging me for a guitar. He has taken piano lessons for 6 years, but wants a guitar so bad he can taste it! (His birthday is this summer, so I guess you know what we’ll be buying.)
Stay tuned for next week! The competition is really tough this round, so it will be a great show! Thanks for letting me share this fun time in our family’s life with you!
Blessings!
