The Legendary Songwriter Vince Gill Welcomed To Join The Grand Ole Opry — See Emotional Moment
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Artists

The Legendary Songwriter Vince Gill Welcomed To Join The Grand Ole Opry — See Emotional Moment

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Steve Earle will be the next member of the Grand Ole Opry. The 70-year-old was invited to join the Opry by Vince Gill, after Earle performed "Copperhead Road," one of his biggest hits.

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Gill surprised Earle by first telling him he was giving him a gift, before revealing the gift came with a stipulation.

"It came to my attention that you saw a strap that I've been wearing the last few weeks. And we decided we'd get you a gift," Gill says. Gill is speaking of a personalized guitar strap, celebrating the Opry's 100th anniversary. "This is a Grand Ole Opry strap that they made for the 100th year ... They wanted me to come out and give you this gift."

At first, it seems that Gill just wants to give him the gift, as he begins to walk away. But then Gill stops and turns around, issuing Earle the invitation.

"Oh, but one thing," Gill remarks. "What I forgot to mention is, to get one of these straps, you have to be a member of the Grand Ole Opry," Gill tells Earle. "And I get to invite you to be our newest member of the Grand Ole Opry. I'm a 40-plus year fan."

Gill tells Earle that one of the rules is that, because of the invitation, he needs to play one more song. Earle happily complies, performing "Hilbilly Highway."

"This is kind of like the biggest thing that's ever happened to me in my whole life," Earle says.

Vince Gill And The Grand Ole Opry

Gill has invited numerous artists to become members of the Grand Ole Opry over the years. Gill, a member since 1991, remains a big fan of the historic institution, 34 years later.

The Opry is just so dear to me," Gill tells American Songwriter. Like his musical heroes, Gill remains consistent in his support of the Grand Ole Opry. He also plays the Opry as often as he can.

"I try to do my part and be like Mr. [Roy] Acuff and be like Bill Monroe, and be like Porter Wagner and the people that were very well-established artists that supported this place," he adds. "If you're not here, it's not helping it."