January 16, 1999, is a day that Trisha Yearwood will never forget. It was on that day that Yearwood was invited to join the Grand Ole Opry, by Ricky Skaggs. Yearwood shared the video on social media, recalling how important that day was to her, personally and professionally.
“We would like to ask you a question, and make you a proposition,” Skaggs says to Yearwood in the clip. “Well, we’re just kind of thinking, all the folks at Gaylord Entertainment and the folks here at the Grand Ole Opry, and the Grand Ole Opry staff and family, would like to invite you to be our newest member of the Grand Ole Opry.”
“It’s a yes,” an emotional Yearwood answered.
24 years ago today, I received the invitation of a lifetime from @RickySkaggs. @opry it is an honor to be in your circle! xo ❤️ pic.twitter.com/oMPCL4ik7D
— Trisha Yearwood (@trishayearwood) January 17, 2023
Yearwood was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry, while it was being held at the Ryman Auditorium, on March 13, 1999 by Porter Wagoner, fulfilling a dream she held since childhood.
“I have wanted to be a member for years, and they knew it,” Yearwood said when she was inducted (via CMT). “I’d heard rumors that it might be happening this year. The last time I saw Porter Wagoner he told me, ‘We’ve got to work on getting you out here.’ So, I was hoping that it was going to happen. It means a lot to me for them to say, ‘We want you to be one of us — we believe you regard the Opry as highly as we do.’
“This has the feeling of winning Female Vocalist of the Year, something I wanted my whole life. For my family, especially my parents, this is probably bigger than any award I’ve received. My mom once saw the Opry here at the Ryman,” she continued. “She wrote down descriptions of the Opry stars and the show, so she could take it home and show her mom and dad. She still has that diary, and it was really neat for me to see what it had meant to her. I feel proud, and I’m really glad they’re going to have that chance to see this happen for me.”
Yearwood was recently able to switch roles, and both invite and induct Lauren Alaina into the Grand Ole Opry. She also inducted Carly Pearce into the Opry in 2021.
Read ‘Trisha Yearwood: 11 Things to Know About Her Life and Career’ here.
