List of Grand Ole Opry members

From Wikipedia the free encyclopedia

The Grand Ole Opry is a country music concert and radio show, held between twice and five times per week, in Nashville, Tennessee. The show began as a radio barn dance on November 28, 1925, by George D. Hay and has since become one of the genre's most enduring and revered stages. Each performance consists of multiple guest artists as well as Opry members, sometimes called "Opry stars". Members are selected by Opry management (with input from existing members) based on several factors including critical and commercial success, respect for the history of country music and commitment to appearing on the program. Opry members have permission to perform at any Opry show they wish. A typical Opry performance will feature seven to nine artists, including (but not limited to) at least three members.

Publicly, once a new member is chosen, an existing member will ask the new member to join the Opry live on-air during the broadcast, usually when the new member is performing as a guest. In recent years, invitations have been delivered in other public settings. Prior to 1999, membership was effective immediately upon invitation. Currently, artists who accept the invitation will return on a later date for a scheduled performance and induction ceremony. Being invited to become a member of the Grand Ole Opry is considered one of country music's crowning achievements.[1]

Over its history, the Opry has featured a large, rotating ensemble of members ranging from all-time greats and neotraditionalists to contemporary stars. As the Opry is a running series, membership requires that the performer appear regularly on the program to remain a member of the show. As late as the 1960s, an artist was required to perform on at least 26 shows per year, though this requirement has been significantly relaxed in the years since. If a performer ceases appearing at the Opry altogether or runs afoul of management, they can be stripped of their membership; if the exiled performer reconciles and renews their commitment to the show, they can be reinstated. Membership expires when the performer dies; if a single member of a duo or group retires or dies, the surviving members may continue to maintain Opry membership on the group's behalf. The Opry, in general, allows performers who retire, or are no longer physically able to perform on a regular basis to stay as members. The Grand Ole Opry House maintains a member gallery backstage that contains an engraved brass nameplate for every act who has ever been a member of the Grand Ole Opry (including those whose membership has lapsed or have been asked to leave).

Excluding the Opry Square Dancers, who have sui generis membership status, there are currently 72 Grand Ole Opry members. Solo music artists make up 58 of the members, seven of whom have mostly retired from performing (Stu Phillips, Barbara Mandrell, Jeanne Pruett, Randy Travis, Ricky Van Shelton, Patty Loveless and Ronnie Milsap), but may make occasional appearances. Two of the members are stand-up comedians (Henry Cho and Gary Mule Deer). Twelve duos and groups hold membership. Among them, one (Rascal Flatts) has disbanded, and one (Montgomery Gentry) has a deceased member. Three groups (Old Crow Medicine Show, Diamond Rio and The Oak Ridge Boys) have each replaced group members since being inducted, but maintain their Opry membership; of these, the Oak Ridge Boys have been inducted twice, under two completely different lineups. Two artists (Scotty McCreery and T. Graham Brown) have accepted the invitation to join and are awaiting induction.

In addition to several family acts who've held membership over the years, two sets of siblings have been invited to join the Opry separately: Loretta Lynn and her younger sister, Crystal Gayle; as well as Darrin Vincent (half of Dailey & Vincent) and his older sister, Rhonda. Likewise, there have been three instances of parents and their children being inducted separately: Ernest Tubb and his son Justin, George Morgan and his daughter Lorrie, as well as Pam Tillis and her father Mel. Among the current members are four married couples: Marty Stuart and Connie Smith, Ricky Skaggs and Sharon White (of The Whites), Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood, as well as Jimi Westbrook and Karen Fairchild (both of Little Big Town).

Over the course of the program's history, 225 acts have held Opry membership. The oldest living member is Buck White of The Whites, born in 1930; the youngest is Lauren Alaina, born in 1994. Bill Anderson is the longest-serving active member, as well as the longest-serving member in the show's history, as his membership has not lapsed since his induction in 1961. Jeannie Seely is the Opry's most frequent performer, having appeared on over 5,300 Opry shows since her 1967 induction.

Key[edit]

  Indicates active members
  Indicates acts invited to join, but not yet officially inducted
  Indicates acts in which at least one of the members is deceased, retired, or has left the group, with the other(s) maintaining active membership

Acts with a † are deceased; ‡ indicates a member of the group is deceased.

1920s[edit]

Founding member DeFord Bailey was the Opry's only black member until his 1941 departure; no others were inducted until 1993.
No. Name Induction date Notes
1 Uncle Jimmy Thompson† November 28, 1925
2 Humphrey Bate† January 2, 1926
3 Henry Bandy† March 13, 1926
4 The McGee Brothers† 1926
5 Mazy Todd† April 3, 1926
6 Uncle Dave Macon† April 17, 1926
7 The Pikard Family† May 8, 1926
8 Deford Bailey† June 19, 1926
9 The Crook Brothers† July 24, 1926 Herman Crook, one of the Crook Brothers, was the last survivor of the 1920s era Opry members, maintaining his membership uninterrupted until his 1988 death—a record that would stand until Bill Anderson surpassed him in 2023.
10 Sid Harkreader† July 24, 1926
11 Binkley Brothers' Dixie Clodhoppers† October 30, 1926
12 Theron Hale and his Daughters† November 13, 1926
13 Arthur Smith† July 16, 1927
14 The Fruit Jar Drinkers† December 17, 1927
15 The Gully Jumpers† December 24, 1927
16 Kitty Cora Cline† March 24, 1928
17 Ed Poplin and his Barn Dance Orchestra† April 21, 1928
18 Uncle Joe Mangrum and Fred Schriver† July 30, 1928

1930s[edit]

1938 inductee Roy Acuff, singer and publisher, was the public face of the Opry from the 1970s until his death.
No. Name Induction date Notes
19 Ford Rush†
20 Hilltop Harmonizers†
21 Nap and Dee†
22 The Vagabonds† September 5, 1931
23 Asher and Little Jimmy Sizemore† September 24, 1932
24 Curly Fox† September 24, 1932
25 Zeke Clements† September 24, 1932
26 The Delmore Brothers† April 29, 1933
27 Robert Lunn† March 31, 1934
28 Lee White† April 21, 1934
29 Sarie and Sally† January 26, 1935
30 Jack Shook and his Missouri Mountaineers† February 2, 1935
31 The Lakeland Sisters† January 23, 1937
32 Bob Wills† May 22, 1937
33 Pee Wee King† June 27, 1937
34 Roy Acuff and the Smoky Mountain Boys† February 9, 1938 Left the Opry in 1946 and returned in the early 1960s. Bashful Brother Oswald represented the Smoky Mountain Boys after Acuff's 1992 death until his own death in 2002.[2]
35 Cousin Jody†
36 Jamup and Honey† January 7, 1939
37 Bill Monroe† October 28, 1939

1940s[edit]

Little Jimmy Dickens was an Opry member for 67 years.
Hank Williams Sr. and The Drifting Cowboys were Opry members from 1949 to 1952.
No. Name Induction date Notes
38 Danny Dill†
39 Johnnie and Jack†
40 Milton Estes and his Musical Millers†
41 Old Hickory Singers †
42 Minnie Pearl† November 30, 1940
43 The Duke of Paducah† 1942
44 John Daniel Quartet† 1942 Included among its members Wally Fowler, who was inducted with his own group in 1945 (see below).
45 Eddy Arnold† 1943
46 Cowboy Copas† 1943
47 Ernest Tubb† February 13, 1943
48 Curley Williams† September 4, 1943
49 The Bailes Brothers† 1944
50 The DeZurik Sisters† 1944
51 The Poe Sisters† June 17, 1944
52 Rod Brasfield† July 15, 1944
53 David "Stringbean" Akeman† 1945
54 Lew Childre Sr.† 1945
55 Bradley Kincaid† 1945
56 Wally Fowler† and The Oak Ridge Quintet† January 27, 1945 Fowler was already a de facto member by way of his membership in the John Daniel Quartet. The Oak Ridge Quintet was a direct predecessor to the group now known as The Oak Ridge Boys. The quintet became a quartet as it evolved and all of its personnel were replaced by the time Fowler sold the rights to the name to Smitty Gatlin in 1957. In 1966, Gatlin turned the group over to Duane Allen, who along with William Lee Golden transitioned to a new lineup that solidified in October 1973; other than a period between 1988 and 1995 in which Golden temporarily left the group, this lineup has served as "The Oak Ridge Boys" ever since. The Allen-era lineup of the quartet was invited and then inducted into the Opry as its own group by Little Jimmy Dickens on August 6, 2011.[3]
57 Jimmy Wakely† September 29, 1945
58 The Willis Brothers† 1946
59 Grandpa Jones† March 16, 1946
60 Red Foley† April 13, 1946
61 Lonzo and Oscar† 1947
62 Paul Howard and the Arkansas Cotton Pickers† 1947
63 George Morgan† September 25, 1948
64 Little Jimmy Dickens† November 6, 1948 Membership lapsed from 1957 to 1975
65 Jordanaires† 1949 Membership lapsed prior to 1998. The group formally disbanded with the death of its last founding member in 2013,[4] but reunited in 2023.[5] One member from its period of flourishing, bass vocalist Ray Walker, survives.
66 Hank Williams and The Drifting Cowboys† June 11, 1949 Dismissed and membership revoked August 11, 1952, for habitual drunkenness and missing shows.

1950s[edit]

June Carter Cash, the last member of The Carter Sisters to pass, performing at the Opry in 1999.
The Everly Brothers were briefly members in 1957. They left the same year to tour with Buddy Holly, remarking in 1960 that their style no longer fit the program.
No. Name Induction date Notes
67 Chet Atkins† 1950
68 Kitty Wells† 1952
69 Hawkshaw Hawkins† June 1955
70 Goldie Hill† August 22, 1953
71 The Ladells† 1955
72 Red Sovine† 1955
73 Ray Price† 1951
74 Hank Snow† January 7, 1950 Inducted by Ernest Tubb
75 Carl Smith† April 29, 1950 Relinquished membership in 1956 following his divorce from June Carter.
76 The Carter Sisters and Mother Maybelle† May 13, 1950 Billed as the Carter Family after 1960. June Carter Cash represented the family following the death of the other members; her children John and Carlene have made occasional appearances but did not maintain membership for the group.
77 Moon Mullican† 1951
78 Lefty Frizzell† July 21, 1951
79 Martha Carson† April 26, 1952
80 Opry Square Dancers
(sui generis) 		July 5, 1952 Originally inducted as Ralph Sloan and his Tennessee Travelers. The Opry's square-dance troupe has gone through several incarnations through its history and is a regular fixture on shows. Ralph's younger brother Melvin Sloan ran the troupe from Ralph's death in 1980 until his 2002 retirement. It merged with the other square-dance troupe, Ben Smathers and his Stoney Mountain Cloggers, when Smathers died in 1990.[6] Originally included as full standing members,[2] the Opry took over the troupe after Melvin's retirement and granted it a sui generis status separate from the other members. The last dancer from the Ralph Sloan era, Eddie Oliver, retired in 2016.[7]
81 Webb Pierce† September 13, 1952
82 Marty Robbins† January 19, 1953
83 Carl Butler† October 17, 1953
84 Del Wood† November 13, 1953
85 The Carlisles† November 14, 1953
86 Ferlin Husky† June 12, 1954
87 Faron Young† November 19, 1954
88 Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs† January 1, 1955
89 The Louvin Brothers† February 26, 1955 Ira Louvin left in 1963 (and died in 1965); Charlie Louvin represented the duo until his own death.
90 Justin Tubb† September 10, 1955
91 Jim Reeves† October 22, 1955
92 Slim Whitman† October 29, 1955
93 Jean Shepard† November 21, 1955
94 Johnny Cash† July 7, 1956 Expelled in 1965 for breaking the stage lights with his microphone stand during an Opry performance.[8] Reconciled in 1968 and remained a member the rest of his life.[9]
95 Jimmy C. Newman† August 4, 1956
96 George Jones† August 25, 1956
97 Rose Maddox† September 29, 1956
98 Stonewall Jackson† November 3, 1956 Filed age discrimination case in 2006 and membership was temporarily revoked. His case was settled and he returned from 2008 until his 2012 retirement due to vascular dementia; he remained a standing member until his death.[10]
99 The Wilburn Brothers† November 10, 1956 Briefly members in 1940, the child stars could not legally work in Tennessee and had to wait until adulthood to officially rejoin.
100 Wilma Lee Cooper† January 12, 1957
101 Porter Wagoner† February 23, 1957
102 Rusty† & Doug May 18, 1957 Departed prior to the duo's breakup in 1963.
103 The Everly Brothers† 1957 Disowned the Opry and dissolved their membership in 1960.
104 Margie Bowes† 1958
105 Archie Campbell† 1958
106 Don Gibson† May 20, 1958
107 Ben Smathers and the Stoney Mountain Cloggers† September 13, 1958 Merged with the Melvin Sloan Dancers in 1990 (now the Opry Square Dancers - see No. 80, above).
108 Billy Grammer† February 27, 1959
109 Roy Drusky† June 13, 1959
110 Skeeter Davis† August 4, 1959

1960s[edit]

Bobby Osborne and the Rocky Top X-Press playing the Opry.
Opry star Connie Smith performing in 2007.
Jeannie Seely was the first woman to host a segment of the Opry and has appeared more times than any other performer—over 5,000 times in 55 years.
No. Name Induction date Notes
111 Jimmy Driftwood†
112 Tompall and the Glaser Brothers† Last performance was in 1990.
113 Bobby Lord† 1960
114 Billy Walker† January 1, 1960
115 Patsy Cline† January 9, 1960
116 George Hamilton IV† February 6, 1960
117 Hank Locklin† November 12, 1960
118 Bill Anderson July 15, 1961 With 62 years of continuous service as of July 2023, Anderson is the longest-serving member in the Opry's history.[11]
119 Loretta Lynn† September 25, 1962
120 Leroy Van Dyke October 20, 1962 Membership lapsed prior to 1998; still makes occasional appearances.
121 Sonny James† October 27, 1962
122 Marion Worth† 1963
123 The Browns† August 17, 1963 Jim Ed Brown continued to hold Opry membership from the group's breakup in 1967 until his 2015 death.
124 Jim & Jesse† March 2, 1964 Represented by Jesse McReynolds from Jim's death in 2002 until his own death in 2023.
125 Ernie Ashworth† March 7, 1964
126 The Osborne Brothers† August 8, 1964 Represented by Bobby Osborne and Rocky Top X-Press from Sonny Osborne's retirement in 2005 until Bobby Osborne's death in 2023.
127 Dottie West† August 8, 1964
128 Willie Nelson November 28, 1964 Resigned his membership in 1972 after relocating to Texas.[12]
129 Norma Jean January 9, 1965 Mostly retired from the music industry after 1973.
130 Tex Ritter† June 12, 1965
131 Connie Smith August 21, 1965
132 Bob Luman† September 18, 1965
133 Ray Pillow† April 30, 1966 Did not perform in the later years of his life, but remained a standing member until his 2023 death.
134 Del Reeves† October 14, 1966
135 The Four Guys April 22, 1967 Disbanded in 1999. An attempt to continue the group's membership with a new lineup was rejected by Opry management, and the group was formally expelled in 2000.[13]
136 Stu Phillips June 1, 1967 Hasn't performed in recent years; still a standing member.
137 Charlie Walker† August 19, 1967
138 Jeannie Seely September 16, 1967 As of 2022, Seely has performed more than 5,000 times on the Opry–more than anyone else in the show's history.[14]
139 Jack Greene† December 27, 1967 Greene had already been a de facto member as part of Ernest Tubb's band since 1962.
140 Dolly Parton January 4, 1969
141 Tammy Wynette† January 4, 1969

1970s[edit]

Jan Howard performing at the Opry in 2007. After the death of Little Jimmy Dickens in 2015, Howard was the oldest member of the Opry cast until her death in 2020.
No. Name Induction date Notes
142 Tom T. Hall† January 1, 1971 Retired since 1996 but remained a standing member until his death.
143 Jan Howard† March 27, 1971
144 Freddie Hart† October 16, 1971
145 Barbara Mandrell July 29, 1972 Retired since 1997, but still listed as a standing member.[15] Mandrell made a one-off, non-singing appearance in 2022.[16]
146 David Houston† August 12, 1972
147 Jeanne Pruett July 21, 1973 Retired since 2006, but still listed as a standing member.
148 Jerry Clower† October 27, 1973
149 Ronnie Milsap February 6, 1976 Retired in October 2023;[17] still a standing member.
150 Don Williams† April 23, 1976
151 Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers December 25, 1976

1980s[edit]

Riders in the Sky have been Opry members and frequent performers since 1982.
Patty Loveless performing on the Opry in 2007.
No. Name Induction date Notes
152 John Conlee[18] February 7, 1981
153 Boxcar Willie† February 21, 1981
154 B. J. Thomas†[19] August 7, 1981 Full-time membership lapsed prior to 1998; continued to make occasional appearances until his death.
155 Ricky Skaggs[20] May 15, 1982
156 Riders in the Sky[21] June 19, 1982
157 The Whites[22] March 2, 1984
158 Lorrie Morgan[23] June 9, 1984
159 Johnny Russell†[24] July 6, 1985
160 Mel McDaniel†[2] January 11, 1986
161 Reba McEntire[25] January 17, 1986
162 Randy Travis[26] December 20, 1986 Retired from singing due to a 2013 stroke; still a standing member, he makes occasional appearances.
163 Roy Clark†[27] August 22, 1987
164 Ricky Van Shelton[28] June 10, 1988 Retired in 2006; still officially a standing member.
165 Patty Loveless[29] June 11, 1988 Retired in 2009; makes occasional appearances
Keith Whitley† May 1989 (scheduled) Whitley is the only person to be posthumously recognized as a former member, without ever having been an active member. Whitley died on May 9, 1989, three weeks before a scheduled Opry appearance where he was due to be invited to join the cast. As the Opry has a policy only inducting living artists as members, the plan was scrapped.
During a Keith Whitley tribute show at the Opry on October 14, 2023, Garth Brooks presented Whitley's widow, Opry member Lorrie Morgan, with a replica Opry member plaque engraved with Whitley's name, identical to those hanging in the Opry's member gallery backstage.[30]
166 Holly Dunn†[2] October 14, 1989 Retired in 2003 and died in 2016.

1990s[edit]

Mike Snider performing on the Opry in 2007
No. Name Induction date Invited by Inducted by Notes
167 Mike Snider[31] June 2, 1990 Minnie Pearl
168 Garth Brooks[32] October 6, 1990 Johnny Russell
169 Clint Black[33] January 10, 1991 Garth Brooks
170 Alan Jackson[34] June 7, 1991 Roy Acuff and Randy Travis
171 Vince Gill[35] August 10, 1991 Roy Acuff
172 Emmylou Harris[36] January 25, 1992
173 Travis Tritt[37] February 29, 1992
174 Marty Stuart[38] November 28, 1992
175 Charley Pride†[39] May 1, 1993 Jimmy C. Newman
176 Alison Krauss[40] July 3, 1993 Garth Brooks
177 Joe Diffie† November 27, 1993
178 Hal Ketchum† January 22, 1994 Little Jimmy Dickens
179 Martina McBride[41] November 30, 1995 Loretta Lynn
180 Steve Wariner May 11, 1996 Bob Whittaker
181 Johnny Paycheck†[2] 1997 Bob Whittaker Porter Wagoner and Johnny Russell
182 Diamond Rio April 18, 1998 Bob Whittaker Little Jimmy Dickens Gene Johnson & Brian Prout retired in 2022, and were replaced by Micah Schweinsberg and Carson McKee
183 Trisha Yearwood[42] March 13, 1999 Ricky Skaggs Porter Wagoner

2000s[edit]

Carrie Underwood singing at the Opry in 2018
1961 inductee Bill Anderson, the Opry's longest-tenured active member as of 2021, inducts his friend Mel Tillis into the Opry in 2007.
No. Name Induction date Invited by Inducted by Notes
184 Pam Tillis[43] August 26, 2000 Little Jimmy Dickens Marty Stuart
185 Brad Paisley[44] February 17, 2001 Bill Anderson, Jeannie Seely and Little Jimmy Dickens Steve Wariner
186 Trace Adkins[45] August 23, 2003 Little Jimmy Dickens Ronnie Milsap and Lorrie Morgan
187 Del McCoury[46] October 25, 2003 Patty Loveless
188 Terri Clark[47] June 12, 2004 Steve Wariner Marty Stuart, Pam Tillis, and Patty Loveless
189 Dierks Bentley[48] October 1, 2005 Marty Stuart Bentley had previously been banned from the Opry for trespassing during his days as an employee for TNN. The ban was lifted in 2003.[49]
190 Mel Tillis†[50] June 9, 2007 Bill Anderson Pam Tillis
191 Josh Turner[51] October 27, 2007 Roy Clark Vince Gill
192 Charlie Daniels†[52] January 19, 2008 Martina McBride Marty Stuart and Connie Smith
193 Carrie Underwood[53] May 10, 2008 Randy Travis Garth Brooks
194 Craig Morgan[54] October 25, 2008 John Conlee
195 Montgomery Gentry‡[55] June 23, 2009 Charlie Daniels Marty Stuart and Little Jimmy Dickens Troy Gentry died in 2017; Eddie Montgomery continues to make occasional appearances on behalf of the duo.

2010s[edit]

Old Crow Medicine Show performing at their induction in 2013
Bobby Bare was a member from 1964 to 1974, then rejoined in 2018.
No. Name Induction date Invited by Inducted by Notes
196 Blake Shelton[56] October 23, 2010 Trace Adkins Shelton was invited to join the cast during the Opry's first show at the Grand Ole Opry House following nearly five months of flood remediation.
197 The Oak Ridge Boys[3] August 6, 2011 Little Jimmy Dickens Three of the four inducted members remain, after Joe Bonsall retired from the group due to mobility issues at the end of 2023.[57]
198 Rascal Flatts[58] October 8, 2011 Vince Gill Little Jimmy Dickens Officially disbanded in 2021. Lead singer Gary LeVox has regularly appeared on behalf of the group since then; Jay DeMarcus has appeared with his new band, Generation Radio.[59]
199 Keith Urban[60] April 21, 2012 Vince Gill, Rascal Flatts, and The Oak Ridge Boys Trace Adkins and Josh Turner
200 Darius Rucker[61] October 16, 2012 Brad Paisley Vince Gill and Keith Urban
201 Old Crow Medicine Show[62] September 17, 2013 Marty Stuart Marty Stuart and Dierks Bentley Only Ketch Secor, Morgan Jahnig, and Cory Younts remain from the band's roster on its induction date
202 Little Big Town[63] October 17, 2014 Reba McEntire Vince Gill and Little Jimmy Dickens
203 Crystal Gayle[64] January 21, 2017 Carrie Underwood Loretta Lynn
204 Dailey & Vincent[65] March 11, 2017 Marty Stuart Old Crow Medicine Show and Jeannie Seely
205 Chris Young[66] October 17, 2017 Vince Gill Brad Paisley
206 Chris Janson[67] March 20, 2018 Keith Urban Garth Brooks
207 Bobby Bare[68] April 7, 2018 Garth Brooks Original induction date was August 14, 1964. Membership lapsed 1974. Inducted again by Brooks in 2018.
208 Dustin Lynch[69] September 18, 2018 Trace Adkins Reba McEntire
209 Mark Wills[70] January 11, 2019 Vince Gill Craig Morgan
210 Kelsea Ballerini[71] April 16, 2019 Little Big Town Carrie Underwood
211 Luke Combs[72] July 16, 2019 Craig Morgan, Chris Janson, and John Conlee Joe Diffie and Vince Gill

2020s[edit]

Gene Watson, the sole new member in 2020, performing on the Opry in 2007
No. Name Induction date Invited by Inducted by Notes
212 Gene Watson[73] February 7, 2020 Vince Gill Steve Wariner
213 Lady A January 21, 2021 Darius Rucker Inducted immediately upon invitation, as part of a filming of NBC’s 2021 special, Grand Ole Opry: 95 Years of Country Music[74]
214 Rhonda Vincent[75] February 6, 2021[76] Jeannie Seely Dierks Bentley Delayed from her originally scheduled March 24, 2020 induction date due to the Coronavirus pandemic
215 Carly Pearce August 3, 2021 Dolly Parton Trisha Yearwood Pearce was recording a fake advertisement for Dollywood when Parton appeared and surprised her with the invitation.[77]
216 The Isaacs September 14, 2021 Ricky Skaggs The Whites and Ricky Skaggs
217 Mandy Barnett November 2, 2021 Connie Smith Marty Stuart and Connie Smith
218 Lauren Alaina February 12, 2022 Trisha Yearwood Dolly Parton delivered a recorded video message as part of the induction ceremony
219 Jamey Johnson[78] May 14, 2022[79] Bill Anderson
220 Charlie McCoy[80] July 13, 2022[81] Vince Gill Larry Gatlin In a first for the Opry, Vince Gill extended two separate invitations during the same show when, on June 11, 2022, he first invited McCoy and then returned to invite Schlitz.
221 Don Schlitz[82] August 30, 2022[83] Vince Gill and Randy Travis
222 Ashley McBryde[84] December 10, 2022[85] Garth Brooks Terri Clark McBryde was appearing on CBS Mornings in its New York studio when she received the invitation via a live video feed from Brooks on the Opry stage in Nashville.[86]
223 Henry Cho February 11, 2023 Marty Stuart Vince Gill, Don Schlitz, John Conlee, Ben Isaacs and Steve Wariner Stuart was discussing comedy's role in the Opry's history with Cho and Mule Deer backstage before the January 6, 2023 show on a Facebook Live video when he extended the invitation to them simultaneously.[87]
224 Gary Mule Deer March 10, 2023 Vince Gill, Henry Cho, Jeannie Seely, Rudy Gatlin and John Conlee
225 Sara Evans October 7, 2023 Bill Anderson, Carly Pearce and Lady A Crystal Gayle Anderson invited Evans during her "Still Restless - The 20-Year Celebration" concert and livestream at Ryman Auditorium. Pearce & Lady A joined him on stage for the invitation.[88]
226 Jon Pardi October 24, 2023
[89] 		Alan Jackson Garth Brooks Jackson delivered the invitation via video during Pardi's performance at the 2023 Stagecoach Festival with on-stage help from Guy Fieri.[90]
Scotty McCreery April 20, 2024
(scheduled)[91] 		Garth Brooks Josh Turner
(announced)
T. Graham Brown May 3, 2024
(scheduled)[92] 		Vince Gill Gill extended the invitation during a guest appearance on Brown's SiriusXM radio show.

References[edit]

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  36. ^ Bisto, Josie (26 January 2017). "On this day in history Emmylou Harris became a member of the Grand Ole Opry". CountryCommon. Retrieved 6 November 2017.
  37. ^ Thompson, Gayle (28 February 2017). "25 Years Ago: Travis Tritt Joins the Grand Ole Opry". The Boot. Retrieved 6 November 2017.
  38. ^ Parker, Eric T. (11 December 2012). "Marty Stuart Celebrates 20 Years at the Opry". Music Row. Retrieved 6 November 2017.
  39. ^ Thompson, Gayle (1 May 2017). "24 Years Ago: Charley Pride Joins the Grand Ole Opry". The Boot. Retrieved 6 November 2017.
  40. ^ "Krauss Joins Grand Ole Opry". The Chicago Tribune. 12 July 1993. Retrieved 6 November 2017.
  41. ^ Thompson, Gayle (30 November 2016). "21 Years Ago: Martina McBride Joins the Grand Ole Opry". The Boot. Retrieved 6 November 2017.
  42. ^ Thompson, Gayle (13 February 2017). "18 Years Ago: Trisha Yearwood Joins the Grand Ole Opry". The Boot. Retrieved 6 November 2017.
  43. ^ Orr, Jay (12 June 2003). "After Some Thought, Pam Tillis Says "Yes!": Former CMA Female Vocalist of the Year Will Join the Opry". CMT. Retrieved 6 November 2017.
  44. ^ "Grand Ole Opry Inducts Brad Paisley as Newest Member - Ryman Hospitality Properties Inc". Ryman Hospitality Properties Inc. Retrieved 6 November 2017.
  45. ^ Thompson, Gayle (23 August 2017). "14 Years Ago: Trace Adkins Is Inducted Into the Grand Ole Opry". The Boot. Retrieved 6 November 2017.
  46. ^ "The Del McCoury Band". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 6 November 2017.
  47. ^ "Opry Welcomes Clark As First Canadian Female". Billboard. 17 May 2004. Retrieved 6 November 2017.
  48. ^ Thompson, Gayle (1 October 2017). "12 Years Ago: Dierks Bentley Is Inducted Into the Grand Ole Opry". The Boot. Retrieved 6 November 2017.
  49. ^ West, Lacey. "Dierks Bentley Is the Only Country Singer To Be Banned By The Grand Ole Opry Before Ever Performing There". Whiskey Riff. Retrieved 2022-12-02.
  50. ^ "Mel Tillis to Join Grand Ole Opry". CMT. 14 May 2007. Retrieved 6 November 2017.
  51. ^ "Josh Turner Inducted into Grand Ole Opry". 29 October 2007. Retrieved 6 November 2017.
  52. ^ "Charlie Daniels Inducted Into the Grand Ole Opry". 22 January 2008. Retrieved 6 November 2017.
  53. ^ Thompson, Gayle (10 May 2017). "9 Years Ago: Carrie Underwood Is Inducted Into the Grand Ole Opry". The Boot. Retrieved 6 November 2017.
  54. ^ Betts, Stephen L. (1 October 2008). "Craig Morgan Opry Induction Is 'Perfect Timing'". The Boot. Retrieved 6 November 2017.
  55. ^ "Montgomery Gentry inducted into Grand Ole Opry". The San Diego Union Tribune. The Associated Press. 24 June 2009. Retrieved 6 November 2017.
  56. ^ Thompson, Gayle (23 October 2017). "7 Years Ago: Blake Shelton Joins the Grand Ole Opry". The Boot. Retrieved 6 November 2017.
  57. ^ Nicholson, Jessica (January 3, 2024). "Joe Bonsall, Tenor Singer for The Oak Ridge Boys, Announces Retirement From Touring". Billboard. Retrieved 2024-01-06.
  58. ^ Thompson, Gayle (8 October 2016). "Five Years Ago: Rascal Flatts Join the Grand Ole Opry". The Boot. Retrieved 6 November 2017.
  59. ^ Gary LeVox gets candid about Rascal Flatts breakup: ‘No closure’
  60. ^ Josh. "KEITH URBAN INDUCTED INTO GRAND OLE OPRY BY JOSH TURNER - Josh Turner". joshturner.com. Retrieved 6 November 2017.
  61. ^ "Darius Rucker inducted into the Grand Ole Opry". Country Music Channel. 18 October 2012. Retrieved 6 November 2017.
  62. ^ Kimmel, Robert (18 September 2013). "Old Crow Medicine Show Celebrate Grand Ole Opry Membership". CMT. Retrieved 6 November 2017.
  63. ^ "Little Big Town Inducted as Newest Member of the Grand Ole Opry". Retrieved 6 November 2017.
  64. ^ Alfs, Lizzy (22 January 2017). "Crystal Gayle inducted into Grand Ole Opry by Loretta Lynn". Tennessean. Retrieved 6 November 2017.
  65. ^ "Dailey & Vincent Invited To Join Grand Ole Opry" (Press release). Nashville, Tenn. 31 December 2016. Retrieved 7 November 2017.
  66. ^ Kruh, Nancy (18 October 2017). "Chris Young Joins the Opry – and Brad Paisley Is There to Tease Him In". People. Retrieved 6 November 2017.
  67. ^ "Chris Janson Invited To Join Grand Ole Opry". WTVF. 6 February 2018. Retrieved 9 June 2019.
  68. ^ Watts, Cindy. "Garth Brooks welcomes Bobby Bare into Opry membership". The Tennessean. Retrieved 9 June 2019.
  69. ^ Freeman, Jon (22 August 2018). "Dustin Lynch to Become Newest Member of Grand Ole Opry". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 9 June 2019.
  70. ^ "Wills Invited To Join The Opry, Capps Celebrates 60". Nashville.com. 2018-12-23. Retrieved 2018-12-23.
  71. ^ "Kelsea Ballerini Invited to Join Grand Ole Opry". Taste of Country.
  72. ^ "Grand Ole Opry on Facebook Watch" – via www.facebook.com.
  73. ^ "Gene Watson Invited to Join Grand Ole Opry". CMT News. 18 January 2020.
  74. ^ "Lady A". Grand Ole Opry. Retrieved 2021-01-22.
  75. ^ "WATCH: Rhonda Vincent Invited to Join the Grand Ole Opry". The Boot.
  76. ^ @RhondaVincent13 (December 8, 2020). "Thank you Thank you Thank you!!..." (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  77. ^ "Opry in the News: Dolly Parton Surprises Carly Pearce with Member Invite | Opry".
  78. ^ "Finally: Jamey Johnson Invited to Be Grand Ole Opry Member". Saving Country Music. 20 March 2022.
  79. ^ @opry (April 11, 2022). "Join us on Saturday, May 14th..." (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  80. ^ @opry (June 12, 2022). "BREAKING: @VGcom has just invited Charlie McCoy to be the newest member of the Grand Ole Opry!" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  81. ^ @opry (July 14, 2022). "Charlie McCoy is officially the newest member of the Grand Ole Opry! https://t.co/LtXaRa3Uf5" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  82. ^ @opry (June 12, 2022). "BREAKING: @VGcom has also just invited Don Schlitz to become the newest member of the Grand Ole Opry!" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  83. ^ @opry (August 12, 2022). "You're invited! Join us for @don_schlitz's Grand Ole Opry member induction on Tuesday, August 30th!" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  84. ^ @opry (October 6, 2022). "BREAKING: @garthbrooks has just invited @AshleyMcBryde to become the newest member of the Grand Ole Opry on @CBSMornings live from the circle!" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  85. ^ @Opry (October 21, 2022). "Be part of @AshleyMcBryde's induction during a special two-show evening on Dec. 10!" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  86. ^ @CBSMornings (October 6, 2022). "Only on #CBSMornings, two-time Grammy-winner @garthbrooks just surprised singer-songwriter @AshleyMcBryde with an invitation to join the "longest-living family in music history," at the @opry!" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  87. ^ @opry (January 7, 2023). "BREAKING: @martystuarthq invited @henrychocomedy and @GaryMuleDeer to become the newest members of the Grand Ole Opry earlier tonight on a special Opry Facebook Live! Welcome to the family, Henry and Gary!" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  88. ^ Dowling, Marcus K. (August 18, 2023). "Sara Evans invited to become the latest Grand Ole Opry member at sold-out Ryman concert". Nashville Tennessean. Retrieved August 18, 2023.
  89. ^ @Opry (August 1, 2023). "Get ready for an Opry Pardi..." (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  90. ^ @opry (April 29, 2023). "BREAKING: @OfficialJackson has just invited @JonPardi to be the newest member of the Grand Ole Opry via video at @Stagecoach!" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  91. ^ @Opry (February 15, 2024). "You don't have to wait 5 more minutes..." (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  92. ^ @Opry (March 29, 2024). "Someone tell "Darlene"! @TGrahamBrown is joining the Opry family on May 3rd!" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
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