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James Otto and Travis Tritt Make a Complementary Pair on GAC’s "Into the Circle"
Series’ second episode airs Sept. 27 (10 pm ET)
NASHVILLE, Tenn.—(September 22, 2008)-- One of the first things James Otto did when he moved to Nashville was stand on the stage at the Ryman Auditorium, home of the Grand Ole Opry in the winter months, and imagine playing before an approving crowd. From that moment on, Otto dreamed he’d one day be invited to join the greats before him to play on the stage of the establishment that made country music famous. Now, on the second episode of Great American Country’s (GAC) Into the Circle series, (Sept. 27- 10 pm ET), Otto’s taking notes from soulful master Travis Tritt, about what it means to make his dream come true.
“I stepped on that stage and looked out over an empty room, and dreamed about playing it,” Otto said. “You make it to that point and you’ve done something, you know, you’re standing up there under the presence of country music’s legends and all the ghosts and great stories, and rich heritage… that’s when you’ve made it.”
Into the Circle pairs rising artists with long-standing Opry members in one-on-one mentoring sessions to learn the career lessons needed for membership on “country music’s most famous stage.” Following the premiere episode of Kellie Pickler’s lesson with Trace Adkins, Otto and Tritt spend quality time together as Tritt shifts from one of Otto’s highly-revered idols to a personal mentor.
Tritt takes Otto for a spin in his classic red Pontiac GTO, which is a thrill for Otto, who is a car aficionado. The two discuss how they got their start in the industry by playing in local bars and how Otto covered Tritt’s songs.
“Travis Tritt is that really soulful country guy that wanted to put some drive in his country. He had that soulful edge but he also had a rock edge to his country. That was always very appealing to me.”
Tritt counsels Otto on the importance of being true to himself, a lesson he learned in the early days after receiving his record deal when he cut his hair to change his image.
“I have to say I sat in the barber chair and felt like the biggest sellout on the planet and in my mind I thought right then and there that I would never ever let anybody else tell me who I am, what to do, or how to present myself because I had played all those beer joints and bars and clubs,” recalls Tritt. “I learned a lesson from then on to always stay true to who I am.”
Also featured in the episode is a performance of “Just Got Started Lovin’ You,” Otto’s mega-hit debut release and “For You” taped at aVenue, a Nashville music venue.
Saturday Oct. 4, (10 pm ET), catch Vince Gill and Patty Loveless with Ashton Shepherd to see what the two pinnacles of country music have to teach the newcomer about stepping onto the Opry stage. In following weeks, Into the Circle features Charlie Daniels and Rodney Atkins, and Brad Paisley with Chuck Wicks.
For more information of GAC’s Into the Circle visit gactv.com.
About Great American Country
Great American Country is the leader in country music entertainment. GAC delivers to viewers the widest variety of country music, its artists and the lifestyles they influence. GAC broadcasts original country music programming, country music performance specials, live concerts, music videos, and is the exclusive television home of the Grand Ole Opry. GAC is available in more than 54 million households and online at GACTV.com.
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