<\/p>\n
When Cora Carpenter packed her bags and left Gaston County for Nashville, taking to the stage was not part of her life plan.<\/p>\n
Yet, on March 14, she stepped on the stage at the Grand Ole Opry to sing a duet with her husband, Josh Okeefe.<\/p>\n
The Grand Ole Opry is a country music show that has broadcast live performances for the last 100 years, according to its website.<\/p>\n
Artists like Dolly Parton, Johnny Cash, Garth Brooks, Carrie Underwood and Tyler Childers have made appearances. Now, so have Carpenter and Okeefe.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is just something that we never really thought would happen, but we are obviously thrilled,\u201d She said.<\/p>\n
Carpenter met her husband about 13 years ago on a birthday trip to Nashville and the pair has, \u201cbeen together ever since,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
For years, Carpenter said she felt too shy to sing around Okeefe because of his career as a professional musician. However, as time went on, he would overhear her singing and ask her to join him on a recording.<\/p>\n
Okeefe is a singer and songwriter, largely focused on the folk genre. Many of his songs tell stories about social issues and life lessons. According to Carpenter, one of his songs, \u201cI won\u2019t Let You Down,\u201d was written with her in mind, and they sang it together at The Opry.<\/p>\n
Carpenter was born and raised in Gastonia, and graduated from Ashbrook High School, where she participated in the school’s choir and found a love for singing, she said.<\/p>\n