On This Day: Charlie Daniels Inducted Into Grand Ole Opry
The Charlie Daniels Band / Facebook
Charlie Daniels, who became a treasured icon in both rock and country music, reached the pinnacle of his success when he was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry in 2008.
On a remarkable evening in November 2007, Charlie Daniels received an unexpected invitation to join the Grand Ole Opry. The singer and his band were performing at the Opry House in Nashville, Tennessee, for his annual “Christmas For Kids” benefit show. The music legend, who was 71 years old at the time, stood onstage when someone approached him with news of an exciting announcement.
The Invitation To Join The Ranks Of Country Music Legends Was Extended By Opry Member Martina McBride.
As the crowd erupted in cheers, McBride revealed she had an early Christmas present for Daniels—a box adorned with a bow. Opening the box, she retrieved a card and proceeded to read its contents to both Daniels and the captivated audience.
The card read, “Peace, joy, love, and wishes fulfilled. These are the timeless traditions of Christmas. Thank you, Charlie, for all you’ve done to make Christmas wishes come true for thousands of children over the years. Now it’s time to make a wish come true for you. You’re officially invited to become a member of the Grand Ole Opry.”
RELATED: The Unforgettable Moment Charlie Daniels Was Asked To Join The Opry
Following the sacred invitation, Daniels took a step back in astonishment, embracing McBride while the crowd erupted in cheers of excitement. The singer, visibly moved, wiped away a few tears, regained his composure, and expressed the profound significance of the invitation to him.
“When I was so young, when I first started listening to music, some of my first memories of music were happening right here where I’m standing right now,” Daniels told the audience. “When I listen to all the greats of country music sing over the airwaves of WSM when I was a kid in North Carolina before I could even play a chord on a guitar, I never, ever in my wildest dreams — when we came to Nashville, my precious wife, son and myself in 1967 with a twenty dollar bill and the clutch out of our car, I never dreamed that this would ever happen.”
Charlie Daniels was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry on January 19, 2008, by his longtime friends and Opry members Marty Stuart and Connie Smith.
“Tonight will be frozen in my mind as one of the most special nights in my life, absolutely,” he remarked.
Charlie Daniels Made A Legendary Impact On The World Of Country Music.
Throughout his illustrious career, Daniels achieved nine Gold, Platinum, or multi-platinum albums. He was best known for his number-one country hit “The Devil Went Down to Georgia.”
Much of his output, including all but one of his eight Billboard Hot 100 charting singles, was credited to the Charlie Daniels Band.
Daniels passed away on July 6, 2020 in Hermitage, Tennessee, from a hemorrhagic stroke. He was 83 years old.
Watch the exciting moment when McBride extended the invitation to Daniels below!
