Steven Curtis Chapman invited to become member of the Grand Ole Opry cast
On Saturday evening, Ricky Skaggs invited 50-time Christian chart-topper Steven Curtis Chapman to be the latest member of the Grand Ole Opry.
The four-decade veteran performer and 59-time Gospel Music Association (GMA) Dove Award winner will be the first Christian artist added to the Opry's cast since The Issacs in Sept. 2021.
His induction will mark the 18th Opry cast addition since Jan. 2021.
The current era marks the busiest the Opry has been insofar as multiplying its cast membership in six decades.
Chapman, 'honored and grateful'
After Chapman's Saturday night set, Skaggs approached him with a framed photo of a young Chapman from around the time of his Opry debut. "[The archives] have found a picture of [you]. We need to have a picture of this. Where's Chris [Hollo, Opry photographer]? Get a good picture because this is going to go great beside that picture right there that he's taking because you are going to be the next member of the Grand Ole Opry, if you want to!? Only if you want to!?"
Chapman, excited and in disbelief, dropped to his knees. Skaggs, in response, deadpanned, "I think you want to."
"I'm so proud for you bud. You deserve to be here. There's been greats that have been on this stage and been members of the Opry and we are glad you're joining the Grand Ole Opry and doing what you do best."
"That is incredible, brother," said Chapman. "I can not tell you all how surprised I am. This is a massive surprise. I had no idea, and I am so honored and just so grateful. What an amazing family to be a part of. I was thinking when I started singing tonight on this stage, I really did, this is my favorite place to sing these days. I feel at home, I feel like this is my family. Everyone here. I am so honored to be part of this family. Thank you guys. Thank you Jesus, and thank you all."
Chapman's induction date will be announced soon.
Chapman's storied history
At 19, some of Chapman's earliest professional musical roots include performing songs by George Jones, Skaggs and more at Opryland Theme Park.
Over time, that career has included his record-setting GMA Dove Award victories and 50 No. 1 singles, alongside five Grammy Awards, an American Music Award, plus selling more than 16 million albums. Plus, in June 2022, he joined Dolly Parton, Sting, Paul Simon, Carole King, and Stevie Nicks as the first Christian music songwriter to receive the BMI Icon Award.
As well, he's collaborated with chart-toppers and hall-of-fame country talents including Glen Campbell, Gary LeVox of Rascal Flatts, Ricky Skaggs, Brad Paisley, Lauren Alaina, Mitchell Tenpenny, plus Christian and inspirational icons like Amy Grant, Casting Crowns, Mercy Me, Tasha Cobbs Leonard, CeCe Winans, and others.
Chapman at the Opry for the holidays
Chapman will close 2024 as a spotlighted artist on Dec. 22 during the Grand Ole Opry's "Opry Country Christmas" celebrations. He joins Opry members Jon Pardi (Dec. 1), The Oak Ridge Boys (Dec. 4), Scotty McCreery (Dec. 5), Chris Young (Dec. 8), Chris Janson (Dec. 11), Trace Adkins (Dec. 16) and more, including Kathy Mattea (12/2), Priscilla Block (12/8), Chapel Hart (12/11), Mickey Guyton (12/16) and John Berry (12/22).
For 10 shows between Dec. 1-23, 2024, Grammy-winning Opry member Larry Gatlin hosts special Opry shows featuring The Gatlin Brothers, Riders In The Sky, Mandy Barnett and Country Music Hall of Famer Charlie McCoy alongside the spotlight artist performing original songs and timeless Christmas favorites.
For Opry Country Christmas tickets and more information on the full Opry schedule, visit opry.com.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Steven Curtis Chapman invited to become member of the Grand Ole Opry- cast
