Charlie Daniels Invited To Join The Grand Ole Opry
Less than a month after officially inducting Josh Turner, the Grand Ole Opry surprised Charlie Daniels by extending an invitation to make him the newest member of the Opry family. While he was hosting his annual Christmas For Kids benefit at the Ryman Auditorium, Martina McBride walked on stage with a small gift box containing a large gift for the fiddle maestro. McBride opened the box and removed a Christmas card reading:
“Peace, joy, love, and wishes fulfilled.
These are the timeless treasures of Christmas.
Thank you, Charlie, for all you’ve done to make Christmas wishes come true for thousands of children through the years.
Now it’s time to make a wish come true for you, too.
You’re officially invited to become a member of the Grand Ole Opry.
Merry Christmas!”
The emotional Daniels accepted the invitation, saying “I can not even begin to tell you folks…this is very emotional for me. I never ever in my wildest dreams when I came to Nashville with my precious wife and son dreamed that this would happen. To think that now my name will be added along with all these great country artists. Thank you.”
Daniels will be officially inducted into the Opry during an Opry at the Ryman performance later this winter.
This marks the third invitation the Opry has extended in 2007; Mel Tillis and Josh Turner were invited and duly inducted earlier in the year and there was speculation that Carrie Underwood would become the next invitee. The invitation to Charlie Daniels came as a complete surprise and coupled with the induction of Mel Tillis, it may mark a willingness by the Opry to bring in aging, but long deserving artists into the Opry family. Congratulations to Charlie Daniels on his well deserved invitation.
Watch Charlie’s invitation:
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Carrie Underwood // Charlie Daniels // Grand Ole Opry // Josh Turner // Martina McBride // Mel Tillis // Ryman Auditorium
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18 Comments
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November 20, 2007 at 9:00 am Permalink
Where’s Ted Nugent’s invite?
November 20, 2007 at 9:30 am Permalink
That picture reminds me of something. Oh, yeah…
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dick_in_a_Box
November 20, 2007 at 11:02 am Permalink
Chris, that made me laugh out loud. Martina just adds to the funny.
November 20, 2007 at 11:21 am Permalink
Another surprising choice from the Opry, especially because I don’t recall a great frequency of guest appearances from Daniels (unlike Mel Tillis, who appeared often immediately preceding his invitation). This invitation, like Tillis’, also doesn’t do much for the long-term future of the Opry. My guess is that Opry management is coming to terms with the fact that Porter is gone and icons like Little Jimmy Dickens don’t have much time left. The Opry will need recognizable statesmen in the period between the death of the current generation and the time when Opry superstars like Martina McBride and Brad Paisley slow their touring and have more time to appear on the Opry. A Charlie Daniels certainly qualifies.
Congratulations to Charlie. For the record, invitations like this that no one except Pete Fisher could predict don’t count, so my Carrie Underwood prediction is still alive.
November 20, 2007 at 1:25 pm Permalink
Now that you point it out, Chris, that’s a truly unfortunate screen capture. Good call, though. And like C. Eric said, the Martina part is what adds to the hilarity.
November 21, 2007 at 5:25 am Permalink
I don’t know how often Daniels has been on the Opry but it seems to me that I’ve seen him quite a bit on the televised segments of the Opry. He’s a very good entertainer and a worthy addition to the show
November 21, 2007 at 8:56 am Permalink
did you say dick in a box? or dick WITH a box? :)
November 21, 2007 at 9:12 am Permalink
This is quite a career accomplishment for Charlie Daniels, so why don’t you put your personal differences aside and congratulate him instead, or at least just don’t say anything. The vitriol is uncalled for.
November 21, 2007 at 9:42 am Permalink
Congrats Charlie on a well deserved honor!!
-dave
November 21, 2007 at 9:43 am Permalink
Speaking of uncalled-for vitriol:
http://charliedaniels.com/soapbox-2007-main.htm
Start reading anywhere and you’ll discover why so many people find it difficult to be nice to Charlie: because he routinely says horrible things about anyone who even mildly disagrees with any aspect of his ultra-right-wing politics.
November 21, 2007 at 9:50 am Permalink
That wasn’t directed at you, Chris, I thought the correlation was hilarious and there’s no way I can read any of that stuff with that background, it’ll make my eyes bleed.
November 21, 2007 at 10:08 am Permalink
From the CD website: “Too many of our schools are failing social clubs where the mention of God is forbidden…”
That’s the point at which I walk away, because I realize the person speaking has no idea what he or she is talking about. Simple fact: the mention of God is NOT forbidden in any public school.
November 21, 2007 at 10:27 am Permalink
I agree with Brady. I don’t agree with everything he says, but that doesn’t negate his music to me any more than it does Steve Earle’s, since I don’t agree with him either. And if I had to venture a guess I would say there are more people in the Opry audience that agree with Daniels than disagrees.
The bottom line is, the man can put on a show. And, in my opinion, he (along with a few others) laid the groundwork for the “Outlaw Movement.”
November 21, 2007 at 10:50 am Permalink
he certainly does belong in the opry. i never said he didn’t. get a sense of humor. i have met the guy. he was a dick to me. that’s why i wrote it. vitriol? you bet. but try reading his blog. it defines vitriol.
November 21, 2007 at 1:34 pm Permalink
USA USA USA USA USA USA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
November 21, 2007 at 2:07 pm Permalink
I’ll be honest, he isn’t for me. his politics (i agree with Eric above on being uncomfortable with totally right or left wing) and his music have never made ar real connection with me. Good for him for getting in behind Josh Turner, who has been around for a slightly shorter amount of time. does that cheapen it at all, or is he glad that people consider him relevent outside of his fan-club?
November 21, 2007 at 3:00 pm Permalink
@ Brady: Yeah, I know it wasn’t directed at me. I’m just saying.
November 24, 2007 at 2:57 pm Permalink
Congrats Charlie! He is sure talented with the fiddle. I hope Carrie isn’t inducted next. She hasn’t paid her dues. Give it another 3 years.
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