2022 was a big, big year for Alexandra Kay. The Illinois native not only spent part of the year opening for Tim McGraw on his McGraw Tour 2022, but also made her long-awaited debut at the Grand Ole Opry, something she had been dreaming about for a long, long time.

“Oh my gosh, ‘We did it!’ That was 100 percent what kept ripping through my mind,” Kay tells Music Mayhem of her thoughts when she performed on the important stage.

Kay sang two songs during her Grand Ole Opry debut, including “I Kinda Don’t,” a song she wrote with Tana Matz and Ryan Robinette, and was blown away by the audience’s reaction to her music.

“It was insane,” Kay reflects. “I mean, a part of me never thought I’d ever get to step into the circle, but to have a standing ovation two different times throughout my two songs was more than I could have ever imagined. And, getting to see Tana Matz and Ryan Robinette sitting there watching this happen, it just was kind of a reassurance that when you believe in a song, no matter if anybody else ever believes in it or not, whenever you see it take life like that and you get to see how it affects the listener and the people around you. I think that those moments are ones that you never forget.”

Kay worked hard — really, really hard — for years before McGraw invited her to join him on the road, kicking off an unprecedented year of career highs for her. So while she is profoundly grateful to have made her Grand Ole Opry debut, she knows it was her own talent, combined with her determination and hard work, which earned her the coveted invitation.

“When I got to step in that circle, I felt like I deserved to be there,” Kay says. “I didn’t get it because someone made a phone call for me because they had a connection. I went in, and we asked for the opportunity for me to sit down and play songs for them. And then, I really felt that we deserved to be there, and it was so emotional.”

2022 might have been big for Kay, which included her headlining Backroad Therapy Tour, but she predicts that this year will be even bigger. Although she is an independent, without the support of a major record label, the rising star says she is ready to do even more in 2023, especially with her fans.

“What’s funny is I think the year before, I was like, ‘How are we gonna top this year?’ Then we did what we did with Tim this year and got to tour with Tracy and Clay,” Kay reflects. “This was a huge year for me on socials as well. I’ve gained millions of new followers.

“I think how I’m gonna try to top this year is to make connections with those people … I’m gonna work really hard to connect with my fans even more next year.,” she hints. “I’m gonna be touring even more, which is really crazy to think about because I did over a hundred shows this year. I am gonna continue to hit the road, continue to connect with these people, and continue to write songs that hopefully will touch them and move them in ways I never thought I’d be able to do. So that’s how I’m looking forward to this next year and just continuing to be grateful for everything God’s given me and keep my doors and eyes wide open.”

Kay also plans to release a full-length album in 2023. All of Kay’s music, as well as a list of her upcoming shows, can be found at AlexandraKayOfficial.com.

Photo Credit: Courtesy of the Grand Ole Opry / Chris Hollo