Carrie now a member of the Grand Ole Opry
Checotah native Carrie Underwood now is officially a member of the Grand Ole Opry.
A couple of fellow Oklahoma superstars helped officially welcome the 2005 “American Idol” winner into the venerable Nashville institution during her induction Saturday night.
Garth Brooks, an Owasso resident, Opry member and country music mega-hitmaker whom Underwood has called one of her country music idols, presented the newest Opry member with her membership award. Country music star Vince Gill, an Opry member and fellow Oklahoma native, performed a duet with Underwood of her hit “Jesus, Take the Wheel.”
Before Brooks handled Underwood’s official induction, which was televised Saturday night on the country music video network Great American Country, Opry vice president and general manager Pete Fisher described her as “a woman with a powerful voice and an unshakable faith,” “America’s girl next door” and “just the kind of artist we want to be a member of the Grand Ole Opry.”
“There are many stars in country music but few have had an impact like the young lady who will become the next member of the Grand Ole Opry. Ever since her win on ‘American Idol,’ country music and the Opry have been her home, and the fans have adored her every step of the way, buying almost 10 million albums in just a few short years,” Fisher said before Brooks did the honors.
As Brooks handed Underwood her a 14-inch bronze replica of the famed Opry microphone stand, he told her that no matter how many other awards she gets, “Nothing will last as long or be more important than this award right here.”
“This is a marriage. … But being around you five minutes, you get it. I know you get it. Coming from Oklahoma, I know you’re sharp as a whip, of course” he said. “And I gotta tell you, I know you are going to enjoy it.”
Brooks, the top-selling solo artist in U.S. recording history, admitted he “cried like a baby” at his Opry induction, and Underwood followed suit. Underwood’s mother, Carole, also could be seen shedding tears in cutaway shots of the sold-out Opry House audience.
When she received the award, Underwood held up an index finger to ask the audience to wait for a moment. She kissed the award before delivering her tearful thanks.
“This is going to hold a very special place in my awards case. And I just want to thank everybody at the Opry for having me as a part of your family because it really seems like a great family to be part of,” she said, her voice breaking with emotion.
She added, “It means a lot to me, and II promise I’ll do everything that I possibly can to not make you regret it.”
Underwood first appeared on the Grand Ole Opry on June 10, 2005, two weeks after winning “American Idol.” In a pre-recorded interview shown during the induction, Underwood said her grandparents were big Opry fans and introduced her to the country music staple.
The Opry is the longest continuously running radio show in the country, according to the Associated Press. It airs Friday and Saturday nights on WSM-AM.
In the past few years, the Opry, which was established in 1925, has made it a point to include young country artists. Hitmaker Brad Paisley was the Opry’s youngest current member when he was inducted in February 2001. Dierks Bentley took that title when he joined on Oct. 1, 2005.
Artists are invited to join based on their commitment to the show, the frequency of their guest appearances and their overall contribution to country music.
Underwood held on to her Opry member award as she and Gill sang “Jesus, Take the Wheel.” She also performed her hit “All-American Girl” and latest single “Last Name.”
“I think it’s one of the smartest things the Opry’s done in a long, long time, and I couldn’t be happier and prouder. She’s also an Okie, so I’m always going to root for her,” Gill said in recorded comments on the show.
-BAM
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