WATCH: Pam Tillis Invites Neal McCoy To Become A Member of the Grand Ole Opry
The surprise news broke during the Grand Ole Opry’s Opry 100 Honors Charley Pride.
Allyson Shaheer/Charley’s neice, Rozene Pride, Neal McCoy, and Pam Tillis; Photo by Chris Hollo for the Grand Ole Opry
The Grand Ole Opry will soon welcome a new member into its family. On Tuesday evening, Sept. 22, Neal McCoy was on-site at the historic venue to perform as part of the Grand Ole Opry’s Opry 100 Honors Charley Pride when Pam Tillis surprised him with the invitation to officially join the Opry.
The fact that the night honored Pride made the moment even more meaningful to McCoy given his longtime friendship and admiration for the Country Music Hall of Fame member and Grand Ole Opry member.
During his time in the circle, McCoy delivered three of Pride’s songs and opened up about the impact the country legend had on his career. He explained that early in his career, he would spend his weekdays mowing lawns before traveling with Pride on the weekends and opening for the legend’s shows. Looking back on the experience, McCoy credits Pride with helping pave the way for his own career. He even paid tribute to the hit singer/songwriter’s music and legacy in 2013 with the release of Pride: A Tribute to Charley Pride.
“If there had never been a Charley Pride there would never have been a Neal McCoy,” he admitted.
Later in the evening, Tillis took to the stage for her own set before welcoming Rozene Pride, Charley’s wife, to join her and share a few memories of her late husband. Rozene then asked McCoy to accompany her onto the stage, thus setting up the ultimate surprise that followed in the moments after.
Pride stated, “Charley would be so happy with what you’re going to do next, Pam.”
Tillis responded, “You know what I think he would say? ‘I think Neal McCoy needs to be an official member of the Grand Ole Opry.’”
McCoy showed a big smile as he realized what Tillis just said. He bent down to kiss Pride on the head, who was still clutching his arm tight, and gladly accepted the invitation as emotions flooded his face.
“So on behalf of Rozene, Charley Pride, all of us here at the Grand Ole Opry, Neal, what do you say?” Tillis asked him.
A nearly speechless McCoy nodded and said, “Oh my gosh. What a great night. What a great night to be invited.”
Along with McCoy and Tillis, Grand Ole Opry’s Opry 100 Honors Charley Pride also featured performances by Opry members Darius Rucker and Pride’s son Dion Pride, Tony Jackson, The Malpass Brothers, and The War & Treaty.
A portion of the proceeds from the Opry 100 Honors shows will benefit the Opry Trust Fund, which has spent more than six decades supporting members of the country music community facing medical expenses, emergencies and other financial hardships.
Neal McCoy will officially join the Opry family later this year on a date to be announced. Until then, he will remain busy on the road with a slew of tour dates scheduled through the remainder of the year.
Madeleine O’Connell graduated from North Central College with a bachelors degree in Journalism and Broadcast Communications before deciding to pursue her studies further at DePaul University. There, she earned her masters degree in Digital Communication & Media Arts. O’Connell served as a freelance writer for over two years while also interning with the Academy of Country Music, SiriusXM and Circle Media and assisting with Amazon Music’s Country Heat Weekly podcast. In addition to Country Now, she has been published in American Songwriter, Music Mayhem, and Holler.Country. Madeleine O’Connell is a member of the Country Music Association and the Academy of Country Music.
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