This week, country music lost one of its most iconic performers in history after 90-year-old Loretta Lynn passed away. Among so many other accomplishments and roles that Loretta Lynn played in her life and career, one of the most significant was being a long-time and devoted member of the Grand Ole Opry, making her debut on the show in 1960. Now we know who she was. will do. she will take Loretta’s place among the Opry members, and the timing couldn’t be better, and the distinction more deserved.
Ashley McBryde will be the next member of the Grand Ole Opry. Advertised very clumsily and unconventionally in the cbs this morning TV show on Thursday morning (10-6), Garth Brooks invited her through a satellite link. Ashley McBryde was in the TV studio in New York, being interviewed for her excellent new album. Ashley McBryde Presents: Lindeville when Garth Brooks was contacted from the Grand Ole Opry House to make the invitation.
“It would be the great joy and the great honor of my life. Thanks Garth. McBryde responded.
“It’s the longest family in the history of country music,” Garth said. You belong to him. We need you. You will make us stronger for decades to come. I love you, congratulations, it couldn’t happen to a sweeter person.”
Only in #CBSMmorningstwo time grammy winner @garthbrooks just surprised singer songwriter @AshleyMcBryde with an invitation to join the “longest family in the history of music”, at the @opry! pic.twitter.com/c9S7A9EDfH
— CBS Mornings (@CBSMornings) October 6, 2022
But despite the awkward pauses, crocodile tears from Garth, and awkward interruptions from Gail King, it was still an important moment for Ashley McBryde. Usually such invitations occur on the Opry stage during a performance. Perhaps both the Opry and McBryde crews felt that being on national television would be a highlight.
While other names could definitely be mentioned for artists deserving of this honor, Ashley McBryde is certainly a smart and deserving choice from today’s class of mainstream country artists. His conceptualized album Lindeville just released last week proves it with the kind of incisive, punchy songwriting and country-sounding accompaniment that is helping to turn the tide for major-label country music.
Ashley McBryde also earned this invite by being a part of multiple “moments” at the Grand Ole Opry itself, which helps illustrate why it’s not just another stage and another radio show, but moments mean more when you’re standing inside. of the sacred. circle. McBryde singing her song “Girl Goin’ Nowhere” during her Grand Ole Opry debut on June 16, 2017 was the perfect Opry moment.
As well as being a member of the Grand Ole Opry (pending the proper induction), Ashley McBryde has been a highly awarded artist, despite her lack of giant sales. She was named CMA New Artist of the Year in 2019 and has been nominated three times for Grammy Awards.
“There’s the Grammys, and there’s being a member of the Grand Ole Opry, [they] They are the two best things that could happen to you as an artist.” McBryde said. “I’ve always said I’ll earn it. This is a pretty surreal moment.”
And he has earned it. If the Grand Ole Opry was going to pick anyone from the current generation of headliners, Ashley McBryde deserves it most.