Only an institution as sacred as the stage of the Grand Ole Opry could provide an intersection for science fiction and country music. But it happened on Friday (Feb. 15) when William Shatner, a.k.a. Star Trek's legendary Captain James T. Kirk, embarked on a new frontier and boldly went where he'd never gone before: center stage to perform on the Grand Ole Opry.
Shatner and Country Music Hall of Famer Jeff Cook performed “Why Not Me,” the title track of the album the longtime Alabama star and the 87-year-old actor released on Heartland Records in August 2018. Shatner also served as guest emcee for a portion of the Opry show.
An avid Star Trek fan, Cook says he first met Shatner ten years ago at an awards show on the West Coast, that they count Heartland CEO/president Brian Curl as a mutual friend. Shatner has recorded six spoken-word albums, and when Curl encouraged him to record a country record, Shatner enthusiastically threw himself into the project, traveling to Fort Payne, Ala. to record at Cook’s studio last May. The project combines Shatner’s distinctive recitations and Cook’s vocals as well as guest appearances by Neal McCoy, Home Free and newcomers Cash Creek.
Though Shatner had previously visited the Opry with friends, this marked his first performance at the famed venue and he graciously let Billboard shadow him to document the experience...
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