Vince Gill inviting T. Graham Brown to become the newest Grand Ole Opry Member. Photo: Rachael Black for Grand Ole Opry
T. Graham Brown has played the Opry hundreds of times going back to the 80’s. But, he was still surprised when Vince Gill broke the news that he was extending an invitation for Brown to finally become an Opry member.
On Tuesday (Feb 20), during a taping of Brown’s SiriusXM Show “Live Wire” with Vince Gill, the Grand Ole Opry member surprised him with the invitation.
“Awww, man. That’s amazing, Vince. Oh my goodness. Please tell me you’re not kidding me,” Brown responded. “This is the greatest thing. You don’t know what that means to me. I so wanted this; you just don’t know. I’m so proud of the Opry. I’m just so proud to be there every time. I’ve never taken it for granted. It’s just amazing.”
Brown was visibly moved by Gill’s invitation from the Opry (watch the invite below).
“I am still speechless,” beamed Brown. “I have been playing the Grand Ole Opry since I got my record deal. Every time I step into that “circle,” I have to pinch myself. Thank you to Dan Rogers, Gina Keltner, and EVERYONE at the Grand Ole Opry for everything! This is such an honor, and I am so thankful to share it with my wife, Sheila Brown. She has been my rock since the beginning! I love you all, and God has been so good! I can’t thank Him enough.”
Pictured (L-R): Vince Gill, Opry’s Gina Keltner, T. Graham Brown, and Opry’s Dan Rogers. Photo: Rachael Black for Grand Ole Opry
“T. Graham Brown feels like family every single time he walks through the backstage doors of the Grand Ole Opry House,” says Dan Rogers, Opry executive producer. “He adds a special spirit and a great performance to every Opry show he’s part of. It’s not lost on me that immediately after having been invited to join the Opry at the SiriusXM studios, within minutes, he was on the road to the Opry for yet another performance, adding to his 300+ count of Opry appearances.”Brown, 69, was also excited to announce his “I Tell It Like It Used To Be” 2024 Tour. Serving as one of Brown’s most requested hits, “I Tell It Like It Used To Be” was his second national single and first Top 10 hit, reaching #7 on Billboard in 1985. While stopping in cities all over the country, fans will also hear favorites from throughout Brown’s career, including “Hell And High Water,” “I Wish I Could Hurt That Way Again,” “Brilliant Conversationalist,” “The Last Resort,” “Darlene,” “Come As You Were,” “If You Could Only See Me Now,” “Wine Into Water,” and more.
