Steven Curtis Chapman will be the next member of the Grand Ole Opry. The Christian singer was invited to join on Saturday, July 27, by his good friend, and fellow Kentucky native, Ricky Skaggs.
Skaggs began the invitation by bringing out a picture of Chapman from his Grand Ole Opry debut 42 years ago, when he performed country classics at the now-closed Opryland Theme Park.
“We need to have a picture of this,” Skaggs said, holding a photo of a young Chapman in a tuxedo, trying to imitate George Jones, asking for Chris Hollo, the Opry’s photographer. “Get a good picture, ’cause this is going to go great beside that picture right there that he’s taking, because you are going to be the next member of the Grand Ole Opry, if you want to.”
A stunned Chapman dropped to his knees as Skaggs continued to praise his longtime friend.
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“I’m so proud for you, bud,” Skaggs said. “You deserve to be here. There’s been greats that have been on this stage and been members of the Opry and we are glad that you’re joining the Grand Ole Opry and doing what you do best.”
Chrapman, who was just announced as a performer for the upcoming Opry Country Christmas celebration, was shocked as he accepted the invitation.
‘I cannot tell you all how surprised, No. 1, I am,” the 61-year-old said. “If you ever wonder, ‘Is this a surprise?’ Yes, I promise you, this is a massive surprise. I had no idea, and I am so honored and just so grateful. What an amazing family to be a part of. I was thinking when I started singing tonight on this stage, I really did, I thought, ‘This is my favorite place to sing these days.’ I feel at home, I feel like this is my family. Everyone here, backstage, the band, everybody. I am so honored to be part of this family. What a crazy, crazy thing. Thank you guys. Thank you Jesus, and thank you all.”
After the invitation, Chapman shared his thoughts on the monumental evening, a full-circle moment after decades of performing on the sacred stage.
“I was 19 years old the first time I performed on the stage of The Grand Ole Opry,” Chapman reflected. “I’d grown up listening to my dad tell me stories about this magical stage where some of the greatest moments in music took place. When the weather was just right we could tune it in on our staticky AM radio in Paducah, KY and hear the magic happen. Last night the wonder of that stage was in ‘full force’ as the one and only Ricky Skaggs invited me to be an official member of The Grand Ole Opry family.
“I was and still am completely blown away!” he continued. “To the many many people who’ve been a part of the journey that led to an amazing moment last night…Thank You! And to the Giver of every good gift…Thank You for yet another moment to ‘Taste and SEE how good you truly are!'”
An induction date for Chapman has yet to be announced. Find all of Chapman’s music and upcoming shows at StevenCurtisChapman.com.
Photo Credit: Courtesy of the Grand Ole Opry / Chris Hollo