Alabama musician to make Grand Ole Opry debut: ‘That is crazy’

Lamont Landers was wrapping up a high-energy set at a Nashville label showcase when he got a surprise that left him nearly speechless. As the Decatur native stood on stage, the massive video screen suddenly flickered to life, revealing none other than Questlove.

A Surprise from an Icon

The legendary drummer, known for his work with The Roots and D’Angelo, was beaming in to deliver a life-changing announcement: Landers had been tapped to make his debut at the Grand Ole Opry on August 4.

"I was completely shocked," Landers told 205focus.com. "Questlove is a hero of mine, and he’s the reason why I got signed in the first place." The two connected back in 2023 when the musician posted a viral cover of The Spinners' "The Rubberband Man." Questlove shared the video with his millions of followers, a move that eventually led to Landers signing with A-list producer Dave Cobb at Lucille Records, an imprint of MCA Records.

A Trailblazer in Soul

Known for his "Larry Bird of Soul" moniker and his incredible guitar shredding, Landers has been grinding for years. He made waves in 2017 with his band’s electrifying performance on Showtime at The Apollo and later brought his talent to the America’s Got Talent stage. With his upcoming appearance at the Grand Ole Opry, he enters elite company, joining legends like James Brown, Darius Rucker, and Kacey Musgraves who have performed at both the historic Harlem venue and the Opry.

Landers views the blend of soul and country as a natural progression. "I think it’s like all different branches of the same tree," he says. "A lot of those songs have feelings of despair, loneliness, yearning, longing. It’s a lot of heartache in both."

From Local Roots to Big Stages

Before gaining international acclaim, Landers cut his teeth at staple venues like The Brick Deli & Tavern in Decatur and Humphrey’s Bar & Grill in Huntsville. He recalls looking up to Alabama Shakes during their rise, noting that they showed him a path for North Alabama musicians.

His career has been filled with "full circle" moments, including a recent tour where he opened for Gary Clark Jr. and even sat in for a guitar session. Whether he is appearing in a national Gap ad or performing with contemporaries like Marcus King, Landers remains grounded by his family—partner Emi and daughter Lola.

Despite his rising status and massive social media following on TikTok and Instagram, Landers has no interest in leaving his home state. "If everybody that’s cool leaves Alabama, what’s the incentive for anybody to come down here?" he says. "The city’s been good to me, these are my people, and it’s a great place to raise our daughter."