Grammy Winner Kathy Mattea Invited To Become A Member Of The Grand Ole Opry

Two-time Grammy winner Kathy Mattea was invited to become a member of the Grand Ole Opry Aug. 9 by Opry member Charlie McCoy. The four-time CMA Award winner, longtime Opry favorite, and host of the popular “Mountain Stage” radio show will officially join the Opry on Oct. 11.

Mattea’s long-time friend and fellow West Virginian, McCoy surprised her onstage turning off her speaker during her performance of her award-winning hit “18 Wheels and A Dozen Roses.”

Surprised Mattea said, “Oh…Charlie, you just turned my speaker off!”

McCoy replied, “I’m so sorry to interrupt” as he presented her with a dozen roses. “I want to ask you a question,” McCoy continued. “How would you like to be the next member of the Grand Ole Opry?”

Mattea immediately answered, “Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, and thank you!”  As the audience rose to its feet. Mattea soaked it in and shared, “I just want to take this in and just remember this moment.”

During her career, Mattea has charted more than 30 singles including four No. 1s – “18 Wheels and A Dozen Roses,” “Goin’ Gone,”  “Come from the Heart,” “Burnin’ Old Memories” – and another 12 that charted in the Top 10 including “Where’ve You Been,” which won a Grammy in 1990. An esteemed artist with multiple gold and platinum certifications from the RIAA, Mattea has collaborated with Dolly Parton, Michael McDonald, Tim O-Brien and her husband Jon Vezner. Since 2021, Mattea has hosted Mountain Stage, which is aired by West Virginia’s NPR network once a week on 280 stations.

“I’ve personally watched for nearly 30 years now as Kathy Mattea has brought such great songs, so much artistic integrity, and sheer joy to the Opry stage,” stated  Dan Rogers, Opry executive producer in a release. “We all look forward to many more such performances in that circle she’ll call home.” 

The Opry will celebrate two of its longtime Opry members later this month on their milestone Opry anniversaries. On Aug. 20, the Opry will celebrate Connie Smith’s 60^th Opry anniversary with performances by Smith, Marty Stuart, Dailey & Vincent, Sierra Ferrell, Vince Gill, Chris Janson, Old Crow Medicine Show and more. Smith is the second female Opry member in its 100-year history to mark 60years as an Opry member. Jean Shepard celebrated her 60^th Opry anniversary in 2015. On Aug. 26 Pam Tillis will celebrate her 25^th Opry anniversary alongside Suzy Bogguss, Russell Dickerson, Vince Gill, Jamey Johnson, Lorrie Morgan, Emily Ann Roberts and more.

Steve Earle will officially be inducted into the Opry family on Sept. 17 by Emmylou Harris with appearances by Vince Gill, Marty Stuart and more.