Ashley McBryde became a member of the Grand Ole Opry last year, and as a member of one of the most notable institutions in country music, she has some sage advice for those coming after her. Sara Evans is the next artist to be inducted into the Opry, with her ceremony set for October 7.
Ashley McBryde’s Advice For Sara Evans Ahead Of Opry Induction
“I’m so proud for Sara to become the newest member,” McBryde told Music Mayhem. “My advice would be not only to soak in the moment, but however you have mentally prepared yourself – because I know it took me a couple of days to be like, ‘I can’t lose it on stage. I really want to be present and not just a blubbering mess when I become a member,’ – whatever you’re doing to prepare yourself, it isn’t enough.”
“There’s no way to prepare yourself to receive so much love at one time,” she explained. “But, allow yourself to receive all the love and to be celebrated. Remember, you wouldn’t be becoming a member if you hadn’t earned it, if you didn’t deserve it. The only way to become a member is to have earned it.”
McBryde Was Inducted Into The Opry In December Of 2022
McBryde, who recently released her latest album, The Devil I Know, was invited to become an Opry member by Garth Brooks in October and was officially inducted in December by her good friend Terri Clark.
“It’s such an honor to join as a member, along with so many of my role models and friends,” she said of life as an official Opry member. “I feel so at home; I’ve always felt so at home, but never more so than I do now.”
The Arkansas native shared that she still gets “that weird feeling like I’m watching a movie about it when I talk about it,” adding, “There’s nothing that tells you you’re made for this or that you’ve made it, nothing will ever come close to the longest standing country music institution saying, ‘You are a member. Welcome home.’”
Sara Evan Was Invited To Become An Opry Member In August Of 2023
Evans was asked to join the Opry by Bill Anderson while on stage at the Ryman Auditorium celebrating the 20th anniversary of her fourth studio album, Restless. Lady A’s Charles Kelley and Dave Haywood and Carly Pearce were also on hand to perform at the event, sharing covers of Evans’ songs including “Tonight” and “Suds in the Bucket.”
Later in the evening, arrived on stage to ask Evans two questions, the first of which was a request for her to sing a rendition of his song “Walk Out Backwards.”
“The second question is from me and Carly [Pearce] and Lady A, and a bunch of other people. And the question is, would you like to become a member of the Grand Ole Opry?” he asked Evans as the audience cheered.
Evans became visibly emotional and put her head in her hands before joking telling Anderson, “No.” Anderson replied, “All day long, I said to myself, ‘What would I say if you said no?’”
On a more serious note, Evans shared, “There is no way that I would say ‘No,’ first of all. I’ve been waiting to be asked to join the Opry for a long time and it’s always been a dream of mine. I’m so honored that you’re here to ask me that question. Thank you. It means everything to me.”
To get tickets for Sara Evans’ Opry induction, visit the ticketing website HERE.
