A Lemmon native who has played as a session musician for other Country recording artists recently got a chance to perform on a famed national radio broadcast.
Rory Hoffman has spent the past few years helping other Nashville artists make hit records. Hoffman has even appeared as a side musician at the Grand Ole Opry for artists such as Kathy Mattea and Ricky Skaggs. But late last week, he got a call from Mike Snider with the Opry, inviting to perform on W-S-M Radio’s signature program.
Hoffman says, “And he found me on this YouTube video playing an old Hank Williams song called, ‘Half as Much.’ And that is one that he wanted me to perform, that was the one he was really, really enjoying when he was watching those YouTube videos—so it was just a matter of dusting it off real quick.”
Hoffman received a standing ovation after performing “Half as Much,” and one of the show’s hosts admitted being in tears. Hoffman says he’s happy with the accolades, but as far as becoming a full-fledged Opry cast member, Hoffman says,
"I’m not anywhere near thinking that far down the road yet. I would just like to do more Opry appearances, and see how that goes. But you’ve really gotta be, like, really famous to do an Opry membership and I’m not there yet.”
Hoffman has recorded several albums in different music genres—his next album is set for debut in August.
Click here to watch a video of Rory Hoffman's performance at the Opry from June 11, 2016.