Nashville guitarist Grace Bowers set to celebrate 18th birthday with Grand Ole Opry debut

Grace Bowers won't be known as Nashville's "17-year-old guitar virtuoso" much longer.

Unlike many teenagers who have normal birthday parties, Bowers is set to celebrate her 18th birthday on July 30 with her first performance on the hallowed stages of the Grand Ole Opry. It will be a bucket-list moment for the Nashville teen.

Her friend and producer of her upcoming album, John Osborne of the Brothers Osborne, surprised her with the news.

"Actually the day I found out John told me that he needed a pedal of mine to borrow, and I'm like, 'That's weird, why do you need that?'" Bowers told The Tennessean. "But I brought it to him and I walk in and he's like, 'When's your 18th birthday?' I told him and he's like, 'Well would you like to play the Opry on your 18th birthday?'

Then her whole family popped out from their hiding spots to help her celebrate the news.

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"I feel like ever since we moved to Nashville, one of the first shows we ever saw was at the Grand Ole Opry and since then, I've kind of always been like, 'man, I wish I could play there.' And yeah, now I am. So it's kind of like a dream come true."

Bowers set to open for Chris Shiflett, Brothers Osborne and Elle King

But an Opry debut is just part of the exciting year Bowers has ahead of her. She and her band, The Hodge Podge, will embark on their first summer tour with festival stops at Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion and Franklin's Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival among others, which include opening slots for Chris Shiflett, Brothers Osborne and Elle King along the way.

"This is first time (touring) under my own name," she said. "I used to go out on runs as other people's guitar player. I'm really excited about this summer because it's my band now and you know, we're playing all over the place at all these different festivals. It's going to be a busy summer, but I'm very excited about it."

Grace Bowers and The Hodge Podge new music coming

She and her band have worked with Osborne to record an album that will come out later this summer. The first single, "Tell Me Why U Do That" is out now with another coming June 6.

Bowers said working with Osborne on the album was "unbelievable."

"I can't imagine doing it with anyone else," she added. "And John just, like, completely got my vision and knew what sound I wanted to get from it. And, you know, he was so easy to work with, too. I think he nailed it."

Second benefit show planned for June 10 at Brooklyn Bowl

In addition to the Opry, the album and the tour, Bowers is also planning her second benefit show taking place at Brooklyn Bowl on Mon. June 10. In 2023, shortly after the Covenant shooting, Bowers felt compelled to do something. So she organized a show that sold out the venue and raised $20,000 for the school.

This year, she's assembled a solid group of musical friends to do it again. This time, monies raised will go to Voices for a Safer Tennessee and MusiCares.

"I feel like safer gun laws are so common sense," she said. "And a lot of people don't. And you know, I just wanted to do something to make a difference or raise awareness about it. So that's why I did it the first year."

For the 2024 show, Bowers said she personally reached out to every artist she wanted to participate.

The lineup so far consists of The Cadillac Three, Devon Gilfillian, Caroline Jones, Meg McCree, Jarod James Nichols, John Osborne, Lucie Silvas, Brittney Spencer and Butch Walker with more to come.

Walker, who is a singer, songwriter, guitar player and producer, said he loves doing things for good causes, but especially with people like Bowers.

"Grace is a force of a guitar player, a good human, and has something magnetic about her that just makes everyone pay attention," he said. "It’s not just the cool hair and great guitar skills. She’s wanting to make a difference at a very young age and that spark is infectious for everyone around her"

Bowers said The Hodge Podge will be the house band and will play music off the new album, then invite guests to come up and play a few songs at a time. But in the end? "I'm sure we'll get everyone on stage," she gushed. "We'll have a super jam."

Her goal this year is to raise more money than last year's event. All the proceeds will benefit the charities. She said none of the musicians are being paid. In addition to ticket sales, there will be a GoFundMe set up as well as QR codes the night of the show.

If You Go:

What: Grace Bowers and Friends/An evening celebrating Love, Life and Music

When: Mon. June 10. Doors open 6 p.m. Show at 8 p.m.

Where: Brooklyn Bowl

Tickets: brooklynbowl.com

Melonee Hurt covers music and music business at The Tennessean, part of the USA TODAY NETWORK — Tennessee. Reach Melonee at mhurt@tennessean.com, on X @HurtMelonee or Instagram at @MelHurtWrites.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Nashville guitarist Grace Bowers set for Opry debut, tour, new album