Photo: Grand Ole Opry, photos by Chris Hollo
Lauren Alaina is officially a member of the Grand Ole Opry!
Country icon — and a friend and mentor to Alaina — Trisha Yearwood inducted the “Road Less Traveled” artist in Nashville on Saturday evening (February 12). It was an emotional night for Alaina, who gushed on stage that she was realizing a lifelong dream:
“Ever since I was a little girl I dreamed of this moment. Both of my parents raised me with an appreciation for country music and all that it is, and all of the people who have come before me. I just want to say I promise to do everything I can to represent country music. I promise to represent this family well. I have felt like family here as long as I remember. Everyone at the Opry has always made me feel like family so for me to finally be officially in is the biggest dream come true of all time. Most little girls dreamed of their wedding; I dreamed of this. God Bless you guys and God bless country music.”
Alaina’s induction was complete with a performance of “Walkaway Joe” with Yearwood, and Garth Brooks accompanying with his guitar. Yearwood also included a special message from Dolly Parton, who told Alaina in a recording: “You and I have a lot in common. We both started young, we love country music and we love the Grand Ole Opry, and I’d give a million dollars if I could be there with Trisha and Garth and everyone who loves you to get you inducted into the Grand Ole Opry. I just want to wish you the best in your whole career.”
Yearwood also extended Alaina’s invitation to become the newest member of the Grand Ole Opry, surprising her on stage in December. On that night, Alaina had performed at the Opry more than 50 times, beginning with her 2011 debut shortly after finishing runner-up on Season 10 of American Idol. Alaina said at the time that she “could not have picked a more perfect person to ask me” to become a member of the Opry than Yearwood.
“What I have gotten to observe in knowing you for the couple of years I have known you is how genuine you are,” Yearwood said on Alaina’s induction night. “I think country music is in good hands. You are exactly the kind of artist that the Opry loves, and wants and looks for. Usually when someone gets inducted they say ‘it’s on behalf of all the members of the Grand Ole Opry,’ and I’m going to say that, but I also want to say every single person from the house band, to the crew, to who is parking cars, everybody tonight says how deserving you are and it’s about time. So on behalf of myself, all the members of the Opry, the crew and everyone who is associated with the Opry, you are now officially a member of the Grand Ole Opry, Miss Lauren Alaina.”