Yallwire News

Yallwire was there to see critically acclaimed Blackberry Smoke make the debut at the Grand Ole Opry!

Host Stephanie Langston caught up with the group backstage, who performed a special song in honor of George Jones' 80th birthday during the show. They even got a chance to play a song that they worked on with George Jones himself and surprised the legendary country star with a medley of "Yesterday's Wine" and "Still Doin' Time."

The Atlanta, GA-based band - who has opened for acts like ZZ Top and Lynyrd Skynyrd during their decade together - believe that their group was simply meant to be. "Playing the same sort of music in a town like Atlanta where there's not a lot of people who play the kind of music that we do - it was like we were bound to play together," says lead vocals/guitarist Charlie Starr.

A southern rock band with some country twang, Charlie claims he can't choose either "rock" or "country" as his favorite genre. "That's too hard to choose, I think, on any given day. I listen to Hank Williams on Sunday, every Sunday. Or when it's raining - always Hank Williams. And then it might be Little Feat the next day."

The guys divulge on the release of their third studio album, claiming that it's even better than the last one. "We've just evolved," Charlie says about the album whose title remains a secret. "Any bands that stay together for any length of time, the music evolves - it grows. This album is bigger. It's grown."

Be sure to see Blackberry Smoke on tour with the Zac Brown Band this month!

To hear more about Blackberry Smoke's personal George Jones stories, what they have learned over the past decade together and details on their third album, check out this exclusive interview!