Scotty McCreery Is Inducted Into the Grand Ole Opry

Tonight is obviously a very special night for my friend Scott McCreary

As we stand on or near this circle of wood here on the opera stage that was brought from the historic Rhyman Auditorium

I'm reminded of the Carter Family Classic, Will the Circle Be Unbroken

Which is a symbolic song that has been sung on the opera stage more times than we can count

It symbolizes the passing down of culture, language, and traditions to the next generation

That passing down is oftentimes in the form of inspiration. I know for me personally I was inspired by my grandparents and my parents on how to live and carry myself

I was also inspired by my heroes one of which is here tonight mr. Randy Travis

when I was a young teenager Randy I mailed you a letter and a cassette tape of me singing and to my surprise

and delight you sent me back an autographed 8 by 10. For me, it made me realize that Randy Travis was real

And the goal of signing the record deal was a possibility. I then saw him perform at the South Carolina State Fair

I then made the move to Nashville, got a record deal, started having hits, and eventually met Randy

And when I did, he was exactly who I hoped he'd be. He treated me with kindness and respect, and that led to us sharing the stage, the screen, songwriting sessions, and even breaking bread together on manyís indications

I now called Randy my friend but it was him along with all my other heroes that inspired me to get into the country music business and keep his music alive and growing I don want to speak for Scottie but I will never forget getting the call that quote a young guy just sang your song on American Idol

I learned after the fact that he'd actually come to one of my shows a week or two before

auditioning on the TV show, and he continued to sing my songs. I then realized that I had really

influenced this young man. And I stand here tonight proud of the fact

that I bridge the gap between the generation of Randy Travis and Scotty McCreary

Only time will tell who will be inspired by Scottie to do great things in this business

One of the first commercial country song I ever heard was George Jones. Who's going to fill their shoes

It asks the question, who's going to fill their shoes? Who's going to stand

that tall? Who's going to play the opera and the Wabash Cannonball

Who's going to give their heart and soul to get to me and you? Lord, I wonder

who's going to fill their shoes? Scott is not only a fine singer and a songwriter, but he's a great man, husband

and now father. I'm proud of him. I'm proud to knowing, and I'm proud that he's fit on the shoes of those that have gone before him

With artists like him country music is in a great shape Scott it my distinct honor to say congratulations on officially becoming the newest member of the world famous home of country music the Grand Ole Opera

Thank you

Oh my gosh. We're in a chance, you know. Thank you, Josh

I'm wishing I wrote a speech. right now actually. You know, this night is just, it's unbelievable

It really is, and this was, my mama came to the opera in 1978

and Whisperin' Bill was playing that night, and I heard stories of the opera, and heard the opera of such a deep respect

for this tradition and the history of the opera. If you listen to any of my interviews

from the last 13 years of doing this, they say, what's your biggest goal in doing any of this

And I always say, yeah, one day I want to be a member of the Grand Ole Lopry

I gotta I gotta go home and start writing a new bucket list Oh man I not going to keep you on too long talking One thing I will say is this is not possible without my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ

I've been very blessed, and I feel like he's blessed me to bless others

So thank y'all for allowing me to have fun for a living, make up country songs, and appreciate y'all being here

I'm so glad it worked out. I don't know what the heck out, I'd be doing for a living, so this is great

It takes a village. I say this all the time. My name's on the albums. My name's on the billboards, but man, you all saw the people behind the scenes working and their tails off for me

Management, my agents. I got songwriters in the crowd tonight that helped me. Frank Rogers, my biggest mentor in Nashville, Tennessee

I get to go on and on, but my family, my friends, my beautiful bride, and my little boy, Haybury

I think the coolest thing, I hope Avery's, you know, not keeping, not being too

rally over there in that section and playing out here. One day I'm going to be able to look at Avery, he might not understand tonight, but one

day I'll tell him, hey buddy, this was your daddy's dream? Okay

So yeah. So, yeah. chase his dreams as well as one they've come true for you but thank you all so much i love you and i'm so proud to be a member of the man