McCoy Moore Makes Grand Ole Opry Debut

Official Announcement | Published: May 27, 2026 3:32 PM EDT

(Sony Music Nashville) Rising country breakthrough McCoy Moore made an emotional Grand Ole Opry debut Tuesday evening, performing in front of an audience full of family and friends.

"Moments like these are what make it all worthwhile. I never thought in a million years I'd be doing this," shared Moore. "I'm super thankful every time I get to share my heart on stage, but this is the one stage I wanted to play since I first picked up a guitar."

As he stood on the Opry stage for the first time, Moore performed "Sunshine State," the title track of his debut album, and a solo, barebones rendition of album cut "Bible and a Bar." Capping it off with a standing ovation from the crowd, Moore was overwhelmed with gratitude.

"Thank you to the Opry. My goal was always to play here but my goal now is to play here again, and I'll do it any time you want me!"

Moore recently released his debut album, Sunshine State, with critics and fans alike gravitating to the summertime soundtrack, complete with an easy-does-it code of humble sincerity. A lifelong country fan schooled on late '90s and early 2000s radio, Kenny Chesney (his first concert), Tim McGraw, and Keith Whitley were the soundtrack to travel baseball and day trips to the beach, before a chance encounter with Luke Combs in 2017 helped propel Moore's move to Nashville when he was 19 years old.

Co-writing all but one of 14 songs produced by hit maker Will Bundy (Riley Green, Ella Langley, Thomas Rhett), modern muscle and a throwback country spirit tap the nostalgic heat of long-gone summers, while Moore's vocal carries the buzz of an incoming thunderhead. Heavy bass lines and steel guitars hang thick like Spanish Moss off an old Live Oak (much like the one on the album's cover, which was shot in his grandparents' garage), with soaring emotions and bright melodies begging to be cranked up loud.

The Lakeland, Florida native is set for multiple appearances and performances during CMA Fest week, including the Folds of Honor Tennessee Rock 'N Jock Celebrity Softball Game (June 1), 27Live at L27 Lounge (June 2), Audacy Live at Hard Rock Cafe (June 3), and the Good Molecules Reverb Stage (June 7).

Currently on tour with HARDY, Moore has been tapped as an artist to watch by Holler, Country Now, Music Mayhem, Entertainment Focus, and more, with Rock N Load celebrating, "If modern country is at its best when vulnerability meets grit, McCoy Moore is an artist quietly getting it exactly right."