Carrie Underwood: All-American Idol Opry Member

Just call her the “All-American Idol Opry Member.” That’s right, Carrie Underwood, just shy of three years after winning American Idol and performing on the Grand Ole Opry for the first time (June 10, 2005), was invited to become an official member of the Opry during her performance Saturday, March 15.

Now, some people might believe it’s too soon, but I disagree. Let’s not forget recent new members Dierks Bentley and Josh Turner also were asked to join the Opry very early on in their careers. All three artists share a deep love and respect for the history of country music and the Grand Ole Opry; and, let’s face it, the Opry has to bring in younger talent to fill the seats at the Ryman and the Opry House. The three of them, most notably Carrie, are on a hot streak in their young careers, so of course the Opry management wanted them to join the prestigious cast. As new artists, all three of them are quickly earning the respect of their country music elders in the Opry, and it is safe to say Dierks, Josh and Carrie are humbled and honored to join their heroes on the Grand Ole Opry stage. Having said that, I do agree there may be some injustice in the fact that some newer members are asked to join so early in their careers, while others, like country music and Opry legend Charlie Daniels, had to wait for years before getting their due. However, I also feel bringing in new, young artists as members can help educate many young fans just discovering country music and the Grand Ole Opry through artists like Carrie Underwood.

News of the upcoming honor took the reigning CMA and ACM Female Vocalist of the Year completely off guard. The Oklahoma native celebrated her 25th birthday March 10, and just five days later, Opry officials asked Randy Travis to come out and surprise her with the invitation to join the Opry. After her performance of Travis’ classic “I Told You So,” which is a track on her current cd, Carnival Ride, he appeared on stage and announced, “To end your birthday week, I was asked by the management here at the Grand Ole Opry to come out here and ask you if you would like to be their next member.” After he delivered the news, a visibly stunned Carrie excitedly said, “Let me think about it - Yes!” Travis then announced she would officially be inducted as the newest member of the Grand Ole Opry on May 10.

Travis later said he had fun sneaking up behind Carrie and surprising her on stage. Opry Manager Pete Fisher added, “Since her Opry debut nearly three years ago, Carrie has not only created many memorable Opry moments with her numerous appearances and extraordinary talents, but she has also shown us that she shares a heartfelt connection and a commitment to country music and its rich legacy. We believe she’s going to be a very important part of perpetuating the legacy of the Grand Ole Opry for decades to come, and we look forward to May 10, when she will be formally welcomed as the newest member of the Grand Ole Opry.”

After the initial shock wore off, Carrie closed the show with the fitting song “Crazy Dreams,” also from her latest release. She told the audience, “This is one of the best nights of my life, and it’s certainly something I’ll never forget. And I’m glad each and every one of you were here to share it with me. This has been absolutely amazing.” Backstage after the show, Carrie proclaimed, “That was so amazing and I couldn’t have imagined it coming from a different person.” She jokingly added, “ Everybody here kept a tight lip.” She went on to say, “I grew up watching the Opry when I was little. That’s where I learned about people of the past, the present and the newcomers coming in and singing. It’s just something that’s been a huge part of country music, and it’s wonderful to think that I’m going to be a part of it.”