Lainey Wilson Inducted Into Grand Ole Opry: "This Feels Like The Highest Honour"

Lainey Wilson has dreamed of her induction into the Grand Ole Opry since she was a little girl and that moment has finally come true. The prolific, award-winning country star was officially welcomed into the prestigious organisation by Opry members and surprise guests Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood. They saluted Wilson during her performance with fellow Opry member Terri Clark and Hall of Famer Wynonna Judd.

Garth Brooks, known for hits like 'Friends in Low Places,' expressed his admiration for Wilson. “We are honoured to be here tonight. There can never be too many women at the Grand Ole Opry,” Brooks began. 

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“I have had the chance to know you, Lainey, just a little bit, and the biggest compliment I can pay you is that ‘you get it.’ You know what it means to love country music. You love the Grand Ole Opry, and that’s really what it’s all about.” He continued, “Your career is going to be as long as you want. There will be highs and lows. The awards you receive will fade in time, but the one thing that will continue is this family right here. Welcome to it.”

Trisha Yearwood, another country music icon, concluded their sweet tributes by bringing Wilson into the famous wooden circle and announcing, “On behalf of all the Opry members past and present, welcome, as the newest member of the Grand Ole Opry, Lainey Wilson.” 

An emotional Wilson then took the stage to share a moving induction speech. “Honestly, it feels like the biggest night of my life,” she said. “We have had a crazy couple of years and all the awards and everything, but this right here feels like the highest honour for me. It feels like the stamp of approval from everybody that stood right here. That just lights another fire under my butt.”

Wilson also brought her entire family onstage to stand in the iconic circle with her, saying, “I want my family to be up here because this is theirs too. They have worked so hard for me to have opportunities.”

-Sushmita Sarkar