Jamey Johnson Invited to become a Member of the Grand Ole Opry

The stuff country music dreams are made of.

Country music stars may not care all that much about awards but they do care about one thing: the Grand Ole Opry. To even step into the circle* of the hallowed stage of country music is an honor but to be invited into the family as a Member is the highest honor and on March 19, 2022, that happened for Jamey Johnson, the multi-Grammy Award nominee who was on the stage as part of a “writers round” where they share songs they’ve written together. Bill Anderson and Buddy Cannon were part of the round.

Anderson opened their round by reflecting on the times the trio had written songs together and that during one session, Anderson asked Johnson what was going on in his life and he responded with the fact that he was in the middle of a divorce. The trio wrote the CMA Award winning “Give It Away” that day (it was recorded by and hit #1 for George Strait), and they next performed “Everybody Wants To Be Twenty-One,” a song from 2019 which was written by Johnson and Anderson. They next played a song that was a little less serious, “Chepaper Than A Shrink,” a song George Strait, Joe Nichols and others have recorded.

After the set, Anderson said “Jamey you made your Opry debut 17 years ago and you’ve been a frequent guest many times. But Opry management told me to tell you that this is going to be your last guest appearance.” And Johnson quipped, “Well, I’ve been kicked out of a whole lot of places.” “Well,” Anderson continued, “The next time you appear on this stage you will be the newest member of our Opry cast and family!”

As the audience was roaring to their feet Anderson stated to Johnson he needed to actually say yes, “I accepted it 20 years ago! I really don’t know what to say except the obvious. I love country music. I would have never moved here if it wasn’t for that; for the Opry keeping it alive and for the fans. I love you. Thank you.”

Anderson closed with, “The Opry’s going to be a better place because you’re a part of it.”  Johnson wrapped up the set with a solo performance of his song “In Color.”

An induction date for Johnson will be announced soon.

0 Comments