The big news from Saturday night as Vince Gill inviting Steve Earle to become the newest member of the Grand Ole Opry. Here is the official press release from the Opry:
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - (April 26, 2025) – Multi-Grammy® Award winning Steve Earle was invited to become a member of the Grand Ole Opry tonight by Opry member and longtime friend Vince Gill. The Academy Award winner and Nashville Songwriter Hall of Fame member has been called one of the most influential singer/songwriters of the past 30 years. His songs have been covered by artists including Johnny Cash, Emmylou Harris, Waylon Jennings, Patty Loveless, Willie Nelson, Tom Petty, and Eric Clapton to name a few. Earle is the first artist invited to join the Opry in this, the Opry’s 100th year, and will officially be inducted later this year.
Gill took the stage after Earle’s performance of “Copperhead Road”, presenting Earle with a personalized guitar strap created in celebration of the Opry’s 100th. “You have to be an Opry member to have one of these,” Gill continued. “We want to invite you to become a member of the Grand Ole Opry.”
Clearly moved, Earle said, “This is kind of the biggest thing that has ever happened to me in my life.” He then obliged Gill’s request for another song, “Hillbilly Highway.”
About Steve Earle:
Steve Earle is one of the most acclaimed singer-songwriters of his generation. A protege of legendary songwriters Townes Van Zandt and Guy Clark, he quickly became a master storyteller in his own right. 1986 saw the release of his record Guitar Town, which shot to number one on the country charts and is now regarded as a classic of the Americana genre.
Earle’s 1988 hit “Copperhead Road” was made an official state song of Tennessee in 2023. His most recent album, Jerry Jeff (2022) consisted of Earle’s versions of songs written by Jerry Jeff Walker, one of his mentors.
Earle has published both a novel I’ll Never Get Out Of This World Alive (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt 2011) and Dog House Roses, a collection of short stories (Houghton Mifflin 2003). Earle produced albums for other artists such as Joan Baez (Day After Tomorrow) and Lucinda Williams (Car Wheels On A Gravel Road).
As an actor, Earle has appeared in several films and had recurring roles in the HBO series “The Wire” and “Tremé.” In 2017, Earle wrote music for and appeared in “Coal Country,” for which he was nominated for a Drama Desk Award. Earle is the host of the weekly show “Hard Core Troubadour” on SiriusXM Radio’s Outlaw Country channel.
In 2020, Earle was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.
As I have been reading on various sites over the past day, the news seems to have been well received. There are those who have their own personal favorites, but in my opinion, Steve understands what the Opry is all about and I firmly believe that he will make a good member. It has been a dream of his to be an Opry member. I get it that Steve's musical tastes are not for everybody, but that is what the Opry is all about: offering a variety of country music. Steve has been supportive of the Opry, generally appearing on a monthly basis. I am sure that will continue.
Now moving on to the Tuesday Night Opry, there will be an Opry debut on Tuesday as HARDY will be making his first appearance on the show. He will be joined by members Dailey & Vincent, The Isaacs, Mandy Barnett and T. Graham Brown. Comedian Killer Beaz is also listed on the schedule.
Tuesday April 29
7:00: Dailey & Vincent, T. Graham Brown, Kylie Frey, The Isaacs
Intermission
8:20: Mandy Barnett, Killer Beaz, Stephen Wilson Jr., HARDY
Opry Country Classics is back for another show on Thursday night. The Spotlight Artist this week is Craig Morgan.
Opry Country Classics Thursday May 1
Host: Larry Gatlin
Spotlight Artist: Craig Morgan
Also Appearing: Gatlin Brothers, John Berry, Victoria Shaw, Mandy Barnett, Chapel Hart, Sierra Hull
Glad to see Chapel Hart getting to appear on the 'Opry fairly regularly lately.
ReplyDeleteThe 'Opry can use a little enthusiasm every now and then.
Steve will be a great member. He is also a great dad of a teenager with Autism Spectrum Disorder. (Thats part of why his Opry appearances are generally on Saturday nights and usually between September and May.) So thrilled by his invitation. He is a tie to the Guy Clark, Townes Van Zandt songwriter era and his membership will make the Opry better.
ReplyDeleteWell, HARDY's appearance last night was interesting, wasn't it ?
ReplyDeleteGot a standing ovation I guess.
Byron, do you know why The Gatlins have been removed from the Opry Country Classics schedule on Opry.com?
ReplyDeleteRight now, I do not have an answer. I do know that Riders In The Sky was added in their place. 2 weeks ago, the Gatlins cancelled due to Larry being under the weather. I am sure they will post or say something.
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