More than six years after making his Grand Ole Opry debut on March 2, 2012, Dustin Lynch was invited to join the esteemed organization during last night’s (Aug. 21) Opry showcase.
Dustin received the surprise invite from Trace Adkins, who was celebrating his 15th anniversary as an Opry member.
“Being a member of the Grand Ole Opry is at the top of my list of achievements in my career and always will be,” said Trace. “We want people to be members of the Grand Ole Opry that will have a respect for this institution that it deserves, that it has earned for 92 years. We think that Dustin Lynch is going to carry on in that proud tradition.”
“I can’t even talk cause I’m gonna start crying,” a stunned Dustin told the crowd. “I’ve got my family here tonight and a lot of my team members—a lot of guys and girls that are responsible for getting me on this stage for the very first time, getting my music played at country radio and all over the world now, and I wanna say we would not be here if it wasn’t for you. Thank you guys so much. A lot of things have happened over the past six years, but it started with that last song we just played. ‘Cowboys and Angels’ was the very first song I got to play on the Grand Ole Opry—March 2, 2012—I’ll never forget that day. I wanna say Mom and Dad, thank you so much. I’m glad you came tonight. We have so much to celebrate. I’m gonna attempt to sing a song with a frog in my throat and tears in my eyes.”
Dustin will be officially inducted into the Opry family on Sept. 18.
Congrats to Dustin.
Photo courtesy of Chris Hollo & Rachael Black/Grand Ole Opry
