Josh Tatofi makes his Grand Ole Opry stage debut

Josh Tatofi made his Grand Ole Opry debut on Tuesday, August 11, becoming just the fourth Polynesian artist to perform on the storied stage. He played two songs: his fan favorite "Favorite Weather" and his new single "Baby Blue," officially released the same week. "Baby Blue," produced by Tyler Cain, was originally recorded 25 years ago by Tatofi's father, Tivaini Tatofi, with the Hawaiian group Kapena.

"It's the pinnacle of country music to be able to sing in that circle right there and represent the South Pacific and the culture," Tatofi told WSM's Kelly Sutton onstage after the performance, adding that the moment shows kids back home in the South Pacific what's possible when they work hard and put their faith first.

Tatofi's new album, Paniolo Country, arrives October 2 through Rock Wall/Empire. He's framing it as a "Country Soul" record built from his own path, from growing up in Hawai'i to flying to Nashville to record the whole thing there. "This music feels like where I come from, where I've been, and where I'm headed all coming together at the right time," he said, dedicating the project to the generations who kept country music alive in Hawai'i.

Tatofi's Opry debut arrived just days before another newcomer's. The Owensboro, Kentucky band Sons Of Habit made their own debut on August 14, playing a three-song set that opened with "5:21," moved through "Nostalgia" and closed with "Madeline," the first song the band ever wrote and released. The performance earned a standing ovation from the packed house.

Sons Of Habit, made up of Mitchell Douglas, Hagan Edge, Dalton Daniels, Jeffrey Parish and Noah Patrick, signed with Lucille Records/MCA earlier this year and have already toured alongside Dylan Gossett, 49 Winchester, Ole 60 and Shane Smith & The Saints. "You dream your whole life for something like this," Douglas said from inside the circle. "Ever since I can remember I've dreamt of every little detail about this place and this moment."

The two debuts landed within days of each other, part of a run of the Opry spotlighting new country voices this month, and both now sit on the same stretch of dates tracked on the tour guide.