Spence Smith

This past Tuesday night I got to play The Grand Ole Opry with Mercy Me. Their drummer Robby Shaffer and his wife just welcomed into the world their second child so Robby Stayed home for a bit and the guys in the band asked me to fill in for the night. I’ve ALWAYS wanted to play the Opry and when I got the call, I knew it was going to be a big deal. Not just for me but for the rest of the guys too.

You see, over the years, I’ve been fortunate to play on the Ryman stage for different shows but never the Opry. So on Tuesday night, we found ourselves not just playing the Opry… But The Grand Ole Opry at the Ryman… This was and is a historic place and it all centers around the Opry.

We got to play three songs… Alright, Finally Home, and I Can Only Imagine. All three were great but my favorite was Finally Home. Musically it just fit for the occasion…. and I felt like I was finally home.

I’ve known these guys for 12 years. We’ve shared the stage so many times, but the anticipation for these three songs was enormous. No matter how many people we have all played too… this was the highlight and one that will never be forgotten.

When it was all done we pretty much just kept pinching ourselves and laughing in disbelief. Of course… i was the friend filling in for a friend getting to play with friends… but this was a night we as friends will always have. Thank you Robby for trusting me to fill your shoes and thanks to Bart, Jim, Mike, Barry, Nate, Joel, Scott, Brody, Sam, and Dustin for such a great time and… the greatest musical gift you could have ever given a friend.

There’s a fun video Brody and Sam made of the night in my Videos category and also in the sidebar to the right. I’m playing a Cajon and if you look closely you will see me… and you will hear me.

For the past two days I’ve been in the Dominican Republic with the band Mercy Me showing them the work of Compassion International. Today we met their sponsor child Jose. All the members of the band sponsor child individually but as a band… they sponsor this little guy together.
Jose isn’t shy and he is a happy kid. He has a serious health problem and both parents have passed away leaving he and his sisters to live with his sweet grandmother who does all she can do to keep the family together.
Today we got to see how important sponsoring a Jose is. The guys in the band got to see first hand where their sponsorship dollars go and how it is used… but most of all… the guys in Mercy Me made Jose feeling like a superstar today.
Jose beamed with smiles as he talked, laughed and played his way through the day. Today was Jose’s day and nothing mattered other than the time he got to spend with his new family… his sponsors, Mercy Me.
At the end of the day I’m reminded of this. We are all meant to be loved and cherished. We are built to receive and give love. We are made to take care of one another no matter the race or place in this world. The difference we can make in each other’s lives is huge. So whether you sponsor a child or listen to the needs and cry’s of a good friend. You can make a difference. You were built for it.
So… want to make a difference? Do it here.