Watch Post Malone at the Grand Ole Opry With Brad Paisley, Vince Gill, and Others

The Grand Ole Opry hosted Post Malone’s version of a welcome wagon on Wednesday when he made his debut at the country music institution. After months of overtures to the genre’s tastemakers in preparation for his upcoming Friday release, F-1 Trillion , Malone flanked his performance with appearances by Brad Paisley, Lainey Wilson, the War and Treaty, Vince Gill, and John Michael Montgomery.

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Paisley took the honor of introducing Malone: “He has a country heart, and he is someone who immersed himself in the Nashville way,” Paisley said, “but you aren’t a country singer until you’ve played this.” To which Malone strode out to take his place on a six-foot circle of the Ryman Auditorium’s stage that sits now within the Opry. Then he attempted his best “Hello, I’m Johnny Cash”: “What’s going on Nashville? My name is Austin Richard Post, and I’m here to play some songs tonight with some really amazing folks, and I’m honored to call them friends.” The singer also professed his love for the genre and recalled seeing Paisley live as a youngster.

Malone first paid tribute to another Opry star, Vince Gill, who joined Malone for a rendition of Gill’s “One More Last Chance.” John Michael Montgomery then joined him for a duet of Montgomery’s “Be My Baby Tonight,” followed by Lainey Wilson, who joined him on F-1 Trillion’s “Nosedive.” Malone, who described his own fashion sense as “K-Mart George Strait” chic, commented on Wilson’s attire: “Her heart is bigger than her hat,” he said, “What a special night.” Wilson felt the love: “Welcome to country music, Post Malone. We’re glad to have you!”

Paisley echoed Wilson’s praise when he returned to sing F-1 Trillion’s “Goes Without Saying” with Malone. “I’m honored to be on your album,” he said. “This is one of my favorite records I’ve ever cut.” Malone, in turn, bowed metaphorically to Paisley, calling him “the best living guitar player on the planet.” The rest of the set featured the War and Treaty’s Michael Trotter Jr. and Tanya Trotter joining Malone for F-1 Trillion’s “California Sober,” a solo rendition of his Morgan Wallen duet “I Had Some Help,” and a country-fried rendition of “Sunflower.” Malone received a standing ovation.

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“I’m having the freakin’ best time of my life,” Malone said in the middle of the set. “We’ve been here in Nashville for a couple of months, like six or seven months, and I have made so many beautiful friends along the way. I’m so honored to be able to work with my friends.”

Paisley indeed had prognosticated a special night for Malone when he offered to sing with him at the Opry debut in July. “Would you like to play the Opry?” Paisley asked him in a social media video . “Come play it with me in August. Total invite, and it’s gonna be the first of many appearances I have a feeling for you. Come experience what it’s like to play the show that started it all. You and I can jam together, and a lot of your friends will be there.”

F-1 Trillion also features many of Malone’s friends.  Dolly Parton, Jelly Roll, Chris Stapleton, Tim McGraw, Billy Strings, and Hank Williams Jr., all feature on the record, in addition to recordings with Blake Shelton (“ Pour Me a Drink “) and Luke Combs (“ Guy for That “).

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