Dinosaur Jr. frontman J Mascis made an unexpected appearance at the Grand Ole Opry during John R. Miller’s Thursday night performance. The Appalachian-born singer-songwriter brought Mascis onstage to collaborate on a guitar-driven version of “Steering Wheel Drums,” a track from Miller’s recent album The Great Unknowing.
For Mascis, the iconic Nashville venue marked his first Grand Ole Opry performance. While the alternative rock musician may seem an unconventional fit for the country music institution, his influence has permeated folk and Americana circles, inspiring artists including Miller and Waxahatchee. Miller cited Mascis as a lifelong guitar hero, crediting his approach to both instrumentation and songwriting for shaping his own artistic direction.
Following their Grand Ole Opry set, the two musicians continued the evening with an impromptu performance at Vinyl Tap, an East Nashville bar and record shop. Miller, a John Prine Fellowship Award winner, is currently touring through the fall with scheduled appearances at AmericanaFest 2026 and other venues.
Originally reported by Rollingstone →
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