Q&A with Emily Frans

 

Photo by Danielle Piazza

 

 

Emily Frans is the author of the new children's picture book Howdy! Welcome to the Grand Ole Opry!. She is the director of archives and content for Opry Entertainment Group, and she lives in Brentwood, Tennessee. 

 

Q: What inspired you to write Howdy! Welcome to the Grand Ole Opry!, and why did you decide to tell the story from the Opry’s perspective?

 

A: After spending nearly two decades working at the Grand Ole Opry, I’ve seen firsthand how powerful its story is, not just for artists and lifelong fans, but for families and children experiencing it for the first time.

 

Becoming a parent really sharpened that perspective for me. I wanted to find a way to introduce the Opry to kids in a way that felt welcoming, magical, and easy to understand.

 

Telling the story from the Opry’s point of view felt natural. The Opry has been a witness to generations of artists, audiences, and moments in country music history. Letting it “speak” allowed the book to feel like an invitation, almost like the Opry itself is opening its doors and saying, “Come on in, you belong here.”

 

Q: How did you research the book, and did you learn anything that especially surprised you?

 

A: The history of the Opry is a big part of my day-to-day work, so this project grew out of years of immersion in that.

 

That said, writing for children forced me to look at what has become so familiar to me through a much simpler, more emotional lens. I had to ask myself: what details truly matter to a child encountering the Opry for the first time?

 

Q: What do you think Susanna Chapman’s illustrations add to the book?

 

A: Susanna’s illustrations bring the Opry to life in a way words alone never could. She captured not just what the Opry looks like, but how it feels - full of movement, sound, and emotion.

 

I especially loved how intentional she was about experiencing the Opry firsthand and understanding what stands out to kids. Her illustrations invite readers to linger on each page and discover new details, which is exactly what you want in a children’s book.

 

Q: What do you hope kids take away from the story?

 

A: More than anything, I hope kids walk away being excited about the Opry and understanding that it’s not just another venue. There is so much history, but maybe more importantly, so much future ahead.

 

It’s a place built on dreams, creativity, and connection and attending a show means being part of something bigger that’s been shared from one generation to the next.

 

Q: What are you working on now?

 

A: My day-to-day role with the Opry is overseeing its vast archives comprised of over 100 years of photos, audio, video, stagewear, etc., as well as the rights and clearances associated with making those archives and other Opry projects available to the public via products, broadcast, etc.

 

In terms of writing, I would love for Howdy! to be the beginning of a series that dives deeper into different aspects of the Opry while remaining accessible and inspiring for kids.

 

Q: Anything else we should know?

 

A: This book was truly a labor of love. My hope is that it becomes a shared reading experience that sparks curiosity, conversation, and maybe even a lifelong love of the Opry and country music.

 

--Interview with Deborah Kalb