With 50 No. 1 hits, Steven Curtis Chapman is one of the most decorated Christian music artists in history. It’s no wonder that Ricky Skaggs officially invited Chapman to be the newest member of the Grand Ole Opry.
“This is my favorite place to sing. I feel at home,” said Chapman.
Steven Curtis Chapman Feels ‘At Home’ as the Newest Member of the Grand Ole Opry
For nearly 100 years, the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee, has been said to be the “true home of country music.” Country legends as well as rising stars are invited to join the elite group, based on their “passion for country music’s fans” and “connection to the music’s history.”
After Steven Curtis Chapman spent “35 years writing and performing genre-defining songs that shaped a generation,” the Grand Ole Opry management officially invited the Christian music artist to be a member.
After Chapman performed at the Grand Ole Opry on July 27, country music legend and Grand Ole Opry member Ricky Skaggs took the stage, while holding a framed picture. Chapman recalled a “memory from some 40 years ago.”
The framed picture Skaggs held was of Chapman at his first performance at the Grand Ole Opry. Chapman remembered, “That’s my George Jones outfit, right there.”
“I was 19 years old the first time I performed on the stage of The Grand Ole Opry,” shared Chapman. “I’d grown up listening to my dad tell me stories about this magical stage where some of the greatest moments in music took place.”
Chapman grew up with a musical family in rural Kentucky. “When the weather was just right we could tune it in on our staticky AM radio in Paducah, Kentucky, and hear the magic happen,” he said.
“The wonder of that stage was in ‘full force’ as the one and only Ricky Skaggs invited me to be an official member of the Grand Ole @Opry family,” Chapman said of the evening.
“You’re going to be the next member of the Grand Ole Opry,” offered Skaggs. “You deserve to be here.”
Chapman was visibly shocked and knelt down on the floor of the stage. “Are you kidding me?” he asked. “If you ever wonder if this is a surprise, yes, I promise you this is a massive surprise.”
“I am so honored and just so grateful. What an amazing family to be a part of,” Chapman said. “I feel like this is my family.”
