Im just extremely grateful, thankful, blessed to be able to have this opportunity."
Chris Hollo
Saturday night, April 20,Scotty McCreerysbiggest lifelong dream finally came true.
He is now the newest member of the Grand Ole Opry.
Credit:Chris Hollo
The crowd leapt to their feet and the applause rumbled in the rafters.
He reflected on how Randy Travis had been that voice for him.
Hes a great person, a great husband and now a father.
Credit:Chris Hollo
With an artist like him, country music is in great shape.
He then declared McCreery the newest member of the Grand Ole Opry with Travis beaming beside him.
Turner spoke with us after the show and said, Tonight was pretty fun.
Credit:Scotty McCreery
And I feel good about the Opry and country music.
You know when guys like Scotty come along and take their craft seriously.
So it was a fun night to be a part of.
Im glad I was asked.
He admitted to being extremely nervous.
Im just extremely grateful, thankful, blessed to be able to have this opportunity.
Its all the emotions.
My head is going a mile a minute right now and Im thrilled to be here, he said.
He shared that his earliest memories about the Opry were from his childhood.
His mother had attended a show when she was younger and often talked about it with her children.
He said she played him and his sister the music of Opry members around the house.
I think Whispering Bill Anderson was playing that night and she was talking about him.
At an early age, I understood the Opry was a big deal.
But once I got to Nashville, I understood, oh wow, this is the pinnacle.
Being a member of the Grand Ole Opry is more than just one night of celebration and a trophy.
For those few fortunate enough to be selected, they arent there just because of a few hit songs.
They are chosen for the lifetime commitment of being a steward of country music.
Its a responsibility you know?
As Turner announced that his membership was official, he handed the mic over to his friend.
and Id always say, One day I wanna be a member of the Grand Ole Opry.
I gotta go home and start writing a new bucket list.
Opry announcer Bill Cody then cued McCreery to give the crowd one more song to end the show.
The singers normally smooth-toned, deep voice wavered as he shakily began to sing.
The crowd stepped in as the emotions momentarily overcame him.
They pushed me at a young age to do this.
I didnt want to play for strangers you know.
So they were like lets go get you out there.
And they pushed me to my first competition, first time doing country music showcases at Johnston Community College.
Little by little I started getting that confidence to get out there and do it.
But it wouldnt have been without their help and them encouraging me along the way.
He also gives credit to another member of the McCreery family.
My sister gave me confidence.
She was never ashamed to have her little brother tagging along which meant a lot to me.
Judy McCreery absolutely beamed with pride after watching her son welcomed into the prestigious Opry Family.
And the best part to me, as a mom, is not the talent but the character.
Hes humbly handled this fame with no bragging, no arrogance.
Hes still just Scotty.
Thats a life you could hang your hat on.
Shes the rock to our family and does so much.
wiping a tear away.
The induction was the main event for Saturday nights live broadcast and show from the Opry House in Nashville.
He told us, Ive honestly never been more proud of a project top to bottom.
Congratulations, Scotty McCreery!
