Scotty McCreery got the ultimate surprise on Sunday evening (Dec. 3) when Garth Brooks asked him to become the newest member of the Grand Ole Opry during his performance at the iconic Nashville venue, which was part of the Opry Country Christmas celebration, hosted by Larry Gatlin.
On Sunday evening (Dec. 3), Brooks handed the 30-year-old Spotlight Artist a Christmas gift, “Merry Christmas. This is for you, I wrapped it myself.” He jokingly told the “Cab In A Solo” singer not to open till Christmas, as “the gift inside isn’t here yet.”
While McCreery attempted to open the box, Brooks told him, “That right, tonight, is merely an invitation,” to which McCreery replied, “oh Lord.”
Watch Scotty McCreery Be Invited To Join The Grand Ole Opry Below
“On behalf of the Grand Ole Opry and this is a Christmas present to the Grand Ole Opry. We would love for Scotty McCreery to be the newest member of the Grand Ole Opry,” Brook said, extending the invitation for McCreery to become the newest member of the Grand Ole Opry family.
Scotty McCreery Was Speechless And Overcome With Emotion
McCreery, in a state of shock, was speechless and walked away from the microphone with a massive smile on his face as his wife, Gabi McCreery, and 1-year-old son, Merrick Avery McCreery, watched the special moment unfold from side stage. He also admitted that he wouldn’t be sleeping much tonight after receiving the invite that all country artists dream of.
“I don’t think I’m sleeping tonight, Garth,” McCreery said. “Holy cow, Garth Brooks, yes, I would love to, first and foremost,” McCreery said, accepting the invitation after finding the words. “I grew up listening to your records man, and you’re what got me wanting to do this for a living, and I didn’t think that dream would ever become a reality, and it is because of y’all sitting in this [Grand Ole Opry] House tonight. So, thank you very much. God bless y’all.”
“When I got started doing this, people asked, ‘what are your goals,’” McCreery continued, becoming overcome with emotion. “And I’d say, ‘one day I’d like to be a member of the Grand Ole Opry,’” he said as he touched the sacred Opry circle beneath him.
In addition to Brooks and his family, Opry members Mandy Barnett, The Gatlin Brothers, Charlie McCoy and Jeannie Seely also got to witness McCreery’s Opry invitation. Hailey Whitters was also there as she performed earlier in the evening.
Scotty McCreery’s Grand Ole Opry induction date has yet-to-be announced, but will be in the coming weeks.
A Dream Come True Invitation
This invitation to become a Grand Ole Opry member is a dream come true for Scotty McCreery, who recently told Music Mayhem that becoming an Opry member was at the top of his bucket list.
“Being an Opry member, that’s definitely at the top of my list as far as goals,” McCreery said. “So if you love country music and tradition, the Grand Ole Opry is right there in the middle of that. It would be a great honor, but you know. It’s on the dream board.”
He also told us that he loves playing the Opry during the holiday season, so the invitation couldn’t have come at a better time. “I love the Opry. I love Christmastime. So for me, it’s like the best of both worlds. I sing Christmas music all year round,” McCreery shared with us. “Ask my band, like, I’ll be walking down the bus singing ‘White Christmas’ in July. So for me, it’s fun when you get to combine the Opry and Christmastime.”
During another interview with Everything Nash, McCreery opened up about why the Opry is very important to Country music.
“I think everybody knows for me, I grew up on traditional country, and I love where country is at currently,” McCreery previously told Everything Nash. “I will always love the genre. I’ll always love the storytelling aspect of country music. And I think the Opry has done a great job of carrying on that classic traditional country while also embracing what’s going on currently in the format as well. I think they’ve struck a great balance there, and I think the Opry will always be very important to Country music.”
When Did Scotty McCreery Make His Opry Debut?
The Opry was the first major stage McCreery played just over two weeks after he was named the Season 10 winner of American Idol, making his Opry debut on June 10, 2011. At the time, 17-year-old McCreery performed his single, “I Love You This Big” as well as “Check Yes or No,” a song recorded by his musical hero, George Strait.
“Wow! This is such an honor to be here tonight,” he told the crowd as he made his debut on the Opry stage in 2011 before recalling, “I was bagging groceries just a couple of months ago. I owe all my success to you. Thank you. It’s a day I’ll never forget.”
Since making his Opry debut, McCreery has performed in the sacred circle on the iconic Nashville stage many times.
