Carrie Underwood is one of the Grand Ole Opry’s most famous stars and it was on this day in 2008 that she was officially inducted into the hallowed institution.
Underwood’s Opry induction was a star-studded affair with appearances by fellow Opry members Garth Brooks and Vince Gill.
Brooks, a fellow Oklahoma native, was on hand to officially induct Underwood, while Gill joined her for a performance of “Jesus, Take the Wheel.”
“I can’t imagine what you’re feeling right now. I cried like a baby the whole time,” Brooks told Underwood as they stood in the Opry circle together.
“You will be rained with awards from the CMA, ACM, Grammys and all that stuff,” he went on to say. “Nothing will last as long or be more important than this award right here tonight. Congratulations.”
Underwood held her officially Opry trophy as she went on to perform several of her hits. She even got emotional as she accepted the honor.
“The induction award they gave me says, ‘Hey, you’re a part of the family,’” Underwood later recalled. “It means a lot to me because it’s the heart of country music, the church, the sacred place, the super-elite club that says you love this music.”
Underwood’s Opry induction came after one of her musical heroes, Randy Travis, surprised her with an invitation to join the Opry a few months prior.
Carrie Underwood made her official Opry debut on June 10, 2005, just two weeks after she was crowned winner of American Idol.
