Carrie Underwood introduced the group
Rockers Shinedown took Nashville by storm as they made their Grand Ole Opry debut Friday night, where they played on the legendary stage for the first time. They were introduced by good friend and 17-year Grand Ole Opry member Carrie Underwood, who welcomed them into the historic circle, as part of the venue’s Opry 100th celebration.
“It is always an honor, and so exciting for me to be at the Opry,” Underwood shared. “Tonight, I am especially honored and excited to introduce our next group. I saw these guys back in concert in 2004 when I was a wee college student and basically, they have not been able to get rid of me ever since! I know that they too are very excited to be here, they love country music, and they love and respect the Grand Ole Opry so much. Tonight, I hear they may even have a special surprise in store for us! Making their Grand Ole Opry debut, make some noise for Shinedown!”
The packed crowd was on their feet as the band performed three songs: “A Symptom of Being Human,” their No. 1 chart-topping song “Three Six Five,” and surprised the audience with a performance of a new song: “Searchlight.” To introduce the song, Brent Smith said, “Would you like to hear the debut of a song that no one has heard?” He then continued and described the song’s origin: “Sometimes when you listen close enough to the universe and you’re willing to receive something from it, a song can come out of thin air. That is something that we don’t take for granted. It’s essentially what happened with this next song: we didn’t find it, it found us. This is the debut of a song we like to call: ‘Searchlight.’”
After the debut performance, the audience erupted and rose to their feet, giving Shinedown a standing ovation to close out the evening. In their post-show interview, the band said the performance was a “dream come true for us” as they all grew up watching and listening to the Opry.
The Opry performance adds to an already incredible year for Shinedown as they recently made history (once again) as their latest single, “Killing Fields,” recently reached No. 1 on the Active Rock Mediabase Chart. The achievement solidified their 23rd single at the format and marks the third No. 1 for the band this year: No. 1 at alternative for “Three Six Five” and two No. 1s at active rock with “Dance, Kid, Dance” and now “Killing Fields.” In addition, it adds to their record of holding the most No. 1s, Top 5s and Top 10s in history on the Mediabase Active Rock Chart.
Fresh off their massive Dance, Kid, Dance arena tour, where they sold out Madison Square Garden and performed at some of the country’s most iconic venues, the band’s song “Three Six Five” also hit Top 20 at Top 40 radio. When they were on the chart, they were the only rock band on the Top 40 chart, as “Three Six Five” continues to reach new audiences with its message of love and loss. Since its release, the song has charted at five radio formats after hitting No. 1 at alternative, Top 10 at Hot AC & AC, No. 16 at active rock, all in addition to reaching Top 20 at Top 40 radio. Sitting alongside some of the world’s biggest pop artists, it’s a massive feat to not only hit new audiences with their music but to continue to innovate their sound and reach.
On the last day of their recent Dance, Kid, Dance arena tour, Brent Smith closed the show and promised fans news of a new album, stating: “Shinedown Number 8 is On The Way!” Last night’s performance of “Searchlight” left fans and the internet wondering when the song may be released and if news of Shinedown’s eighth album is imminent…..
Up next, the band is confirmed for the 2025 iHeartRadio Jingle Ball Tour Presented by Capital One, where they will perform on December 2nd at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, TX, December 8th at Allstate Arena in Rosemont, IL, December 9th in Detroit, MI at Little Caesars Arena and December 16th in Washington, D.C. at Capital One Arena.
View this post on Instagram
