After Vince Gill invited him to join the Grand Ole Opry on Jan. 17, Gene Watson was inducted into the esteemed organization by Opry member Steve Wariner on Feb. 7.

“I remember my induction night as humbling and overwhelming,” said Steve. “But tonight, it’s about Gene who is a great ambassador for country music and one of the best interpreters of a country song that ever lived.”

Gene, who made his Opry debut 55 years ago at the age of 21, scored a number of Top 10 hits in the 1970s and ’80s, including “Love in the Hot Afternoon,” “Paper Rosie,” “Fourteen Carat Mind,” “You’re Out Doing What I’m Here Doing Without” and more.

“It’s hard to find the words to say, so I guess better than talking I ought to sing,” said Gene. “So many people contributed to this wonderful night, and I make a promise to everyone to keep up the tradition of country music.”

Gene’s induction into the Opry follows recent inductees Luke Combs (July 2019), Kelsea Ballerini (April 2019), Mark Wills (January 2019), Dustin Lynch (September 2018) and Chris Janson (March 2018).