32 years ago is a day that Garth Brooks will never, ever forget. It was on October 6, 1990, when the Oklahoma native was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry. It was Johnny Russell who officially inducted Brooks into the Opry family.

“To be recognized as a member [of the Grand Ole Opry] is among the class of honors that will never be topped, no matter how long or how far my career goes,” Brooks said (via Taste of Country).

Brooks made his debut on the Grand Ole Opry on June 24, 1989. From early on, he knew he wanted to be part of the Grand Ole Opry family, and it is a commitment he feels just as strongly, even after all these years. He has also inducted others into the Grand Ole Opry, including Carrie Underwood.

“It is a marriage, and it is a marriage that you try to uphold the best that you can,” Brooks told The Boot of being an Opry member. “[Underwood is] from Oklahoma, which, to me, is the land of common sense. I think she gets it. The coolest thing she said was, ‘I know I didn’t come here by the conventional road.’ That was very cool, so I think she’ll love it and respect it enough.”

Brooks’ anniversary was full-circle for him, when he also invited Ashley McBryde to join the Opry on the anniversary of his own induction.

“There isn’t anybody in this family who hasn’t [earned their membership], because it’s the love they show for the Opry, it’s the respect they show for country music,” Brooks said on  CBS Mornings. “And try to remember, it is the longest living family in music history, so Grammys, CMAs, they’re all going to fade. This won’t. This will be until the day they put you in the ground, you will be part of the coolest show on the planet.”

Brooks just wrapped up his massive Stadium Tour, and now says his primary goal is to support his wife, Trisha Yearwood, in whatever she wants to do next.

“Here’s a spoiler alert,” Brooks hinted to CMT. “How about being married to someone who has more Grammys than you do? Then you say, ‘What is her future, and how do I be a mate to her and whatever she wants to do?’ She’s kind of in the same place in her life where she’ll be starting new chapters. I want her to, without pause or hesitation to go, ‘I want to do this.’ Then my job is to be her love and her support.”