By Rocky Nimmons
Publisher
rnimmons@thepccourier.com

NASHVILLE — What a week it has been for Six Mile native and up‑and‑coming country star Blake Whiten. Not only did his new video for his song “Breaking Me” debut, but the young singer also made his first appearance on the legendary Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee.

The Opry, founded in 1925 and officially named the Grand Ole Opry in 1927, is widely recognized as the crowning achievement country music performers.

Whiten, the son of Matthew and Windi Whiten, grew up in Pickens County and attended Six Mile Elementary, R.C. Edwards Middle School and D.W. Daniel High School.

The young singer first gained attention after going viral online and later moved to Nashville to pursue his career. He returned home last May to perform at the 2025 Issaqueena Festival, and it has been a whirlwind ever since — including a trip to Australia to sing at a music festival, as well as performances across the United States.

He was recently named a “Highway Find” on SiriusXM’s The Highway, an honor that has helped launch the careers of artists such as Luke Combs and Florida Georgia Line. The recognition is considered a major stepping stone for rising country stars.

Whiten’s mom, Windi, said they bought him “his first little junior guitar” when he was 4 years old. “By 12 or 13, he was pretty good,” she said.

The young man’s dreams continue to become reality. “Man, I’m going to tell you, to be honest with you, we were in the dressing room, and it was going by so fast, and it never hit me until I saw him walk out on that stage. I’m not going to lie — I teared up. It was crazy. It made the hair stand up on my head,” his dad, Matthew, said.

“He did such a good job. It just hit me that he’s the first one in our family who’s ever been on the Grand Ole Opry stage,” he added. “When he came out and started singing, and the people started singing with him, I felt like I was floating.”

Matthew continued, “When he came out, all I could see was him at about 12 years old when I handed him the guitar I passed down to him — and realizing that moment led to this.”

Whiten’s is set to open for Bailey Zimmerman and Morgan Wallen in the coming months. Six Mile — and Pickens County as a whole — is proud to call Blake Whiten one of our native sons.