Dustin Lynch Invited to Become an Official Member of the Grand Ole Opry

Trace Adkins extended the invitation to the unsuspecting Lynch.

Written by Lauren Laffer
Dustin Lynch Invited to Become an Official Member of the Grand Ole Opry
Trace Adkins and Dustin Lynch; Photo credits: © 2018 Grand Ole Opry | Photos by Chris Hollo and Rachael Black

August 21, 2018 will be a day that Dustin Lynch won’t soon forget. It’s the day he was officially invited to join the Grand Ole Opry as a member.

During the Tuesday night show, Trace Adkins, who was celebrating his 15th anniversary as a member, interrupted Lynch’s set. Joking that it was his anniversary and he could do whatever he wanted, Adkins shared that Lynch had been playing the Opry stage for six years and that the next time he took the stage, it would be as the newest member of the Grand Ole Opry.

“Being a member of the Grand Ole Opry is at the top of my list of achievements in my career and always will be,” Adkins said. “We want people to be members of the Grand Ole Opry that will have a respect for this institution that it deserves, that it has earned for 92 years,” he added. “We think that Dustin Lynch is going to carry on in that proud tradition.”

Shock was written all over the Tennessee native’s face, and he immediately embraced Adkins.

“Thank you! I wish you weren’t so big. I want to pick you up, but I couldn’t,” laughed Lynch.

The singer went on to thank his family, friends and band for their support over the years before launching into his latest single, “Good Girl.”

Tuesday’s show was jam-packed with memorable moments for the fans in the audience, as well as the stars onstage. In addition to Lynch’s Opry invitation and Adkins anniversary celebration, Montgomery Gentry’s Eddie Montgomery performed alongside his nephew, rising country star Dillon Carmichael for Carmichael’s Opry debut. The moment was special for many reasons, one of which was that Carmichael’s mother Becky joined him for background vocals and another being that he’d previously worked for the Opry’s security and had not allowed himself to step inside the famed circle until his debut.

Adkins was also surprised with a presentation from Universal Music Group’s Mike Dungan, who presented the singer with a plaque commemorating a double platinum certification on his songs “You’re Gonna Miss This” and “Honky Tonk Badonkadonk,” as well as a platinum certification on “Ladies Love Country Boys.”

Lynch’s induction will take place on September 18.