That Night at the Opry: Pop Artist of The Year

Walking into the 2025 Josie Music Awards, there had already been more than 86,000 submissions that year.

Just being nominated in four categories felt surreal. With that many submissions, it seemed there was no flippin’ way Pop Artist of the Year was going to end with my name being called.

Three categories came and went.

The chances to win the final fourth?

Slim to none.

Probably none.

As usual, my bladder picked the perfect time to make its demands.

“Congratulations to the winner! Time to run to the restroom.”

So there I am…in the Grand Ole Opry bathroom…with 4,400 people just a few feet away on the other side of the wall…

…when suddenly, over the speakers…

”…and the Pop Artist of the Year award goes to…Alyssa Jacey!”

Alyssa at the awards Red Carpet - Looking FABULOUS!

I screamed.

“OH MY GOD…THAT’S ME!”

Picture this.

Heart racing.

Hands shaking.

Trying to zip up a floor-length blue sequin gown while sprinting out of the bathroom…

…busting through the Grand Ole Opry doors like some sort of extra in a musical…

…and immediately coming to a screeching halt.

Knock knock.

Who is it?

Reality. Because the reality is, there’s a good chance you let wishful thinking take over and mistook someone else’s name for yours.

Let’s do a pulse check.

First stop?

The nearest usher. Because embarrassing yourself on national television didn’t seem like the best career move.

“I think I just heard my name. Does that mean I’m supposed to go on stage?”

She laughed.

“Yes! Go!”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes!”

One confirmation wasn’t enough.

Naturally, a second opinion was needed.

A quick look to the right…

Nobody.

Just thousands of people…probably wondering why this giant blue ball of sequins had suddenly frozen a few feet inside the Opry doors.

Back to the usher.

“Are you SURE sure?”

At this point she was practically shooing me toward the stage.

“YES! GO! GO! GO!”

So off I went.

Flying down the center aisle of the Grand Ole Opry while doing everything humanly possible not to trip over six pounds of sequins.

Then another realization hit.

Oh yeah…this is being televised nationally.

A glance up…

…and there was a camera practically in my face.

Okay…that part was kind of awesome.

Stepping onto the Grand Ole Opry stage

After stepping onto the legendary Grand Ole Opry stage, there was a moment to wait before walking to the microphone.

That’s when the brain immediately started trying to write an acceptance speech.

No.

No, Alyssa. You’re better off the cuff. Wait until you reach the microphone. Then speak from the heart.

Every interview I’ve ever loved…

Every meaningful moment of my career…

Every live show…

They’ve all happened the same way.

By trusting the moment instead of trying to control it.

So that’s exactly what happened.

No rehearsing.

No planning.

Just taking a deep breath…

Looking out at the audience.

Looking up into the rafters.

Feeling gratitude rush from head to toe.

Because there was no guarantee that moment would ever happen again.

Then it was time.

The Grand Ol Opry Audience.

The first words out of my mouth were:

“I super did not expect this. I screamed halfway out of the bathroom…like, ‘OH MY GOD!’”

…while show-and-telling to the audience who I was frantically attempting to zip up my dress whilst bathrooming.

The Grand Ole Opry exploded with laughter. (Phew)

Then came the part that mattered most.

A turn toward the Josie Sisters.

A sincere thank you.

“This is my first time being nominated for the Josies, and in four categories. Thank you both so much.”

Then back to the audience.

“Can we make some noise for the Josies…and for everyone being nominated tonight, please?”

The room erupted.

Finally, I shared something that’s been true my entire career.

“My name is Alyssa Jacey. I’m 43 years old, and I didn’t know I could sing until I was almost 24. You can pursue a dream you didn’t know you had. Please keep going. Never give up. Thank you.”

Looking back…

That moment didn’t just celebrate an award.

It perfectly captured The Alyssa Jacey Experience.

No script.

No rehearsed stories.

No pretending to be anyone else.

Just showing up.

Trusting the moment.

Finding the humor.

Feeling the gratitude.

And letting every audience shape what happens next.

That’s why no two shows…

No two speeches…

No two interviews…

…are ever the same.

And I love that 💙🙏🏽🩵

- Alyssa