Ashley McBryde received the surprise of a lifetime on national television on Thursday morning when Grand Ole Opry member Garth Brooks invited her to become the newest member of the Opry.
McBryde was in the middle of an interview in support of her brand-new project Ashley McBryde Presents: Lindeville, on CBS Mornings when Brooks appeared via video from the stage of the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville.
Appearing completely stunned, McBryde greeted Brooks as he told her, “I’m here for a proposal.”
Noticeably confused, McBryde replied, “Oh?”
Brooks went on to deliver the good news.
“Miss Ashley, this is part of a family that keeps growing. You know where we’re at. We’re at the Grand Ole Opry. I’m standing in the circle of wood right now where you stand. Miss Ashley McBryde, on behalf of the Opry and myself as an Opry member, I’m gonna try not to cry, we would love for you to consider becoming the newest member of the Grand Ole Opry.”
As tears began to flow, McBryde accepted the invitation.
“It would be the great joy and the great honor of my life. Thank you, Garth,” she shared as she wiped tears away from her eyes.
Brooks was proud to welcome her to the Opry family. “It’s the longest-living family in music history. You belong in it. We need you. You will make us strong for decades to come. I love you, congratulations. It couldn’t happen to a sweeter person.”
With her emotions running high, McBryde expressed her gratitude.
“This is a lifelong…this is, I mean, there’s Grammys and there’s being a member of the Grand Ole Opry are the two greatest things that could ever happen to you as an entertainer. I’ve always said I will earn it and this is a pretty surreal moment.”
Before bidding farewell, Brooks explained what it means to be a member of the coveted institution.
“Grammys, CMAS, they’re all gonna fade. This won’t,” he reminded McBryde. “This will be until the day they put you in the ground you will be part of the coolest show on the planet.”
McBryde appeared to be speechless and uttered, “Wow, what a morning!”
Brooks, who is a big fan of McBryde, began performing his own rendition of McBryde’s song “Girl Goin’ Nowhere,” which he dubbed , “Boy Going Nowhere.” His version quickly became a fan-favorite and prompted the country hitmaker to record it for his live album.
“We didn’t think he was gonna put it on the record,” McBryde told The Boot in 2018. “So, it was really cool when he called and said, ‘Miss Ashley, can I put “Boy Going Nowhere” on my record?’ I was like, ‘Yes sir, you can.’”
In addition, Brooks praised McBryde for being “wise beyond her years” during a separate interview featuring the pair. “When you talk about a true songwriter is, you have her standing right here,” Brooks added before he went on to share that her talents are rare and unmatched.
McBryde released her fourth studio album this Friday (Sept. 30th), Ashley McBryde Presents: Lindeville, in collaboration with a team of writers including Aaron Raitiere, Connie Harrington, Brandy Clark, Benjy Davis and Nicolette Hayford. Ashley McBryde Presents: Lindeville includes performances from McBryde, Raitiere, Clark, Davis, Brothers Osborne, Pillbox Patti, and Caylee Hammack.
Produced by Brothers Osborne’s John Osborne, the 13-track album takes fans into a fictional small town of drinkers, cheaters, sinners and Jesus believers called Lindeville.
