Dasha Proves She's Here to Stay with a Stunning Grand Ole Opry Debut

Every night at the Grand Ole Opry House has a little bit of magic baked in. Boasting a mix of country legends, established hitmakers and newfound gems of the genre taking the hallowed stage night after night, the Opry is the longest-running tradition in all of music, which is something that it's newest performer doesn't take lightly.

Saturday night (June 15), one of the country music's buzziest and fastest-rising stars-in-the-making, Dasha, joined the ranks of the genre's legends from the last decade as she stepped into the coveted Circle for the very first time.

"I'm just soaking in how much history is happening right now," the singer-songwriter shared with Holler ahead of her appearance. "The fact that they asked me to be a part of the Grand Ole Opry – there's so much culture and history to this place."

Amongst the long list of career achievements she's notched in the last year on the rollercoaster that she's been riding, this one sits close to the top, signaling what she feels is like her true acceptance into the country music family at large.

"It feels like a big pat on the back from the country industry... No, it feels like a warm hug, actually," Dasha offers backstage, lounging in a green room that's been shared by hundreds of giants before her. "I know being a country artist is such a tight community, which I think is one of the most beautiful things about the genre. It's a whole family, and I feel like they're just saying, 'Come on in, girl. We love you and we want you here.' That's the most special part about tonight. I feel so welcomed and wanted, which is all you can really ask for."

Marking the one year anniversary of when the original demo for her breakout tune, 'Austin,' was sent to her label, it was a full circle moment for what the last year has been like for the California native, full of one milestone after another that range from performing on the 2024 CMT Awards and Jimmy Kimmel Live!, to securing her first Billboard Hot 100 entry.

Gliding out on to the revered Opry stage, Dasha kicked the momentous two-song set off with a stripped back version of her blockbuster hit. With an acoustic guitar in hand, she was joined by a banjo and fiddle, breathing new, bluegrass life into the originally high-energy, dance track. Showing a new side to the viral song, her vocals absolutely shined against the sparse arrangement as the packed Opry House sang along to what will undoubtedly be one of the Best Songs of 2024.

"In January, I had a 100,000 monthly listeners and now I have over 20 million and it's because of that song," she shared through tears. "For anyone who's out there chasing the dream like I was – like I am – just don't stop. It'll happen."

Cruising into her autobiographical 'Talk of the Town,' a small town love story from her debut country record, What Happens Now?, Dasha simply exuded star power, proving to the whole audience – both in person and on the radio – that she won't just be another one hit wonder, but an enduring and central figure in country music's future.

If one thing is evident, it's that Dasha is here to stay.

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