Kathy Mattea is going to be a member of the Grand Ole Opry! Mattea was invited to join by Opry member Charlie McCoy.
Mattea was performing her hit single, “18 Wheels and A Dozen Roses,” when McCoy interrupted her with the invitation.
“Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, and thank you!” an excited Mattea exclaimed. “Oh my gosh. Thank you. Thank all of you. I just want to take this in, and remember this moment. I’m here to tell you, I will not forget this night. Ever. Ever. Ever,” Mattea concluded before inviting McCoy to join her on “18 Wheels And A Dozen Roses.”
“I’ve personally watched for nearly 30 years now as Kathy Mattea has brought such great songs, so much artistic integrity, and sheer joy to the Opry stage,” Dan Rogers, Opry Executive Producer, says. “We all look forward to many more such performances in that circle she’ll call home.”
Charlie’s got a surprise! Kathy Mattea received the invitation during Saturday night’s show to become the newest member of the Grand Ole Opry!
Welcome to the family, Kathy! ♥️ pic.twitter.com/BjrjitkKsl
— Grand Ole Opry (@opry) August 10, 2025
Later, Mattea shared her thoughts on joining the Grand Ole Opry.
“WELL….I just experienced a night I will never forget! ” she writes. “Thank you Grand Ole Opry, for making ALL of us feel like family, whether we are members or not! And for inviting me back to play, over and over again thru the years….and thank you to my friend, fellow West Virginian, and legendary musician, Charlie McCoy, for bearing roses and an invitation I am honored to accept!!!
Kathy Mattea’s Music
Mattea’s self-titled debut album was released in 1984. Mattea has released 17 studio albums throughout the years, and had numerous hit singles, including “Love at the Five and Dime,” “Goin’ Gone,” “Walking Away A Winner” and more. Her latest album, Pretty Bird, was released in 2018.
Mattea has been nominated for a total of eight Grammy Awards, winning two. Mattea won for Best Country Vocal Performance, Female, for “Where’ve You Been” in 1991, and Best Southern Gospel, Country Gospel Or Bluegrass Gospel Album, for Good News in 1994
Who Will Be The Next Grand Ole Opry Member
Before Mattea becomes a Grand Ole Opry member, Steve Earle will officially be inducted into the Opry family on September 17 by Emmylou Harris with appearances by Vince Gill, Marty Stuart, Deana Carter and more.
“This is kind of like the biggest thing that’s ever happened to me in my whole life,” Earle said when Vince Gill invited him earlier this year.
Tickets for Earle’s induction are available at Opry.com . Find all of Mattea’s music at KathyMattea.com.
Photo Credit: Grand Ole Opry / Chris Hollo