"Throwback Thursday" To Dan + Shay's Acoustic "First Time Feeling" Performance" Ahead Of Sold-Out Ryman Auditorium Show In Early 2017

It is "Throwback Thursday" on my social media (Facebook and Instagram) pages! Since today's feature is about a video, it made sense for me to do a combination post!

As of Tuesday evening October 21, Dan + Shay have performed at the famed Grand Ole Opry in Nashville a few times so far in their careers. In the past, they have also performed at the historic Ryman Auditorium. The duo played to a sold-out crowd there for the first time on February 22, 2017. Prior to taking the stage, Dan Smyers and Shay Mooney got ready for their debut at the Ryman in their dressing room. They recorded themselves singing their nostalgic song "First Time Feeling" acoustically, whose title was appropriate for their big moment later that evening. They posted the video on March 5, 2017.

The duo started the video by the lead vocalist (Mooney) introducing where they were followed by the producer (Smyers) talking about the track.

"This is the Grand Ole Opry, the home of the Grand Ole Opry, the 'Mother Church'," Mooney said before he and his partner started the performance.

"We moved to Nashville to write country songs and this is one of our favorite country songs that we've ever written, in light of it being our first time at the Ryman," Smyers remarked.

As I have mentioned in several previous posts, the duo's acoustic performances are one of my favorite things because each one is incredibly raw and real. I thoroughly enjoy listening to Mooney's pure vocals, Smyers' complementing harmonies, and his exceptional guitar and piano-playing, with him on guitar for this clip. From start to finish, the guys told the tune's story with passion in their voices, accompanied by the stringed instrument. In the past, I have closed my eyes while listening to the track and could picture myself there taking in all of the scenes that occur.

The song tells the story of an 18-year-old female and 21-year-old male who are in a romantic relationship for the first time. Despite the girl character's dad not approving of her boyfriend and "right never felt so wrong" for the couple as the duo sing in the chorus, the two lovers experience many magical times together until she moves away to Texas without notice. During the remainder of the tune, the guy misses his partner, wishing she would come back. He starts to reminisce on all of the good times they had together. 

Stay tuned for a future post with further breakdown of the entire song's lyrics, Smyers and Mooney's vocals, and the production!

Below is Dan + Shay's acoustic performance video of "First Time Feeling" at the Ryman Auditorium that was posted on March 5, 2017, courtesy of the duo's YouTube channel! I hope you enjoy listening to and watching this clip as much as I have many times over the years! 

Video courtesy of Dan + Shay's YouTube Channel