Chris Young Invited to Join the Grand Ole Opry

Chris Young received the surprise of a lifetime when Vince Gill invited him to become the newest member of the Grand Ole Opry. 

Written by Lauren Jo Black
Chris Young Invited to Join the Grand Ole Opry
Vince Gill and Chris Young; Photo by Chris Hollo

Chris Young received the surprise of a lifetime Tuesday (Aug 29) when Vince Gill invited him to become the newest member of the Grand Ole Opry.

Gill, a Country Music Hall of Fame and Opry member, joined Young on stage at the Opry to perform their chart-topping hit “Sober Saturday Night.” Before they sang the first lines, Gill joked that he had never been paid for his session work on the single.

“I’ll make you a deal,” Gill told him. “I’ll forgive the session fees if you’ll be the newest member of the Grand Ole Opry.”

A overwhelmed Young happily accepted as fans in the packed Opry House rose to their feet and erupted with applause.

Vince Gill and Chris Young; Photo by Chris Hollo

Vince Gill and Chris Young; Photo by Chris Hollo

“You’re getting triple scale at this point,” Young laughed. “Dang, you got me good! I love you guys. I love everybody here. I love this place.”

“As a friend and someone that’s been out here for 30 years, you will not believe the friendships, the relationships, and the heart that you will gain from being out here for the rest of your life,” Gill shared with him. “It’s going to be really powerful to you, so congratulations.”

Young, who made his Opry debut on June 15, 2006, will officially be inducted on Tuesday, October 17, just days before his new album, Losing Sleep, is released.