Hit making trio Lady A received one of their professions’ highest honors last night (January 21), when Charles Kelley, Hillary Scott and Dave Haywood were surprised with an invitation to join the Grand Ole Opry.
The unexpected invite came during the group’s performance taping for the upcoming NBC special, Grand Ole Opry: 95 Years of Country Music, with Opry member Darius Rucker asking the “Champagne Night” singers to become part of country history. Country artists of all kinds can perform as guests on the long-running radio show, but only a select few are chosen to become full “members,” entitling them to regular appearances and special recognition. Lady A will now be enshrined in the same club as legends like Johnny Cash and June Carter, Roy Acuff, Loretta Lynn, Ernest Tubb, and contemporary icons like Reba, Carrie Underwood and Garth Brooks. Plus, the the NBC special will share the touching, onstage moment they got the news, as well as their first official performance as Opry members.
“What can you say about three friends of yours who together have become one of the biggest groups in Country Music history?” Rucker said to the group. “Well, how about this? This trio are multi-platinum superstars, seven-time Grammy Award winners and seven-time CMA Award winners, too. And I feel so honored to stand here in the Opry House and hope they accept the invitation I am thrilled to be offering them tonight. So, what do you say, Lady A? Would you like to become members of the Opry?”
“This is the best surprise we could ever ask for,” a stunned Scott says in response. “I’ve been coming here since I was a little girl so to say we are honored is an understatement. We are so truly grateful to officially be a part of this amazing family.”
The group’s membership to the famed organization is effective immediately, according to a post by the Opry on Twitter.
Lady A made their Opry debut in 2007. Grand Ole Opry: 95 Years of Country Music will be hosted by two other Opry members — Brad Paisley and Blake Shelton — tracing the history of the famous broadcast. The two-hour special will air February 14 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on NBC.