Steve Wariner Marks 20th Year As Grand Ole Opry Member

Pictured (L-R): Pete Fisher and Steve Wariner. Photo: Grand Ole Opry

Pictured (L-R): Pete Fisher and Steve Wariner. Photo: Chris Hollo/Hollo Photographics for the Grand Ole Opry

Steve Wariner celebrated his 20th anniversary as a member of the Grand Ole Opry on Saturday (May 14). Pete Fisher, Grand Ole Opry Vice President and General Manager, presented Wariner with a special plaque during the singer/songwriter’s performance.

Country Music Hall of Fame member Bill Anderson, who inducted Wariner into the Grand Ole Opry 20 years ago, also was on hand to pay tribute to his longtime friend.

Pictured (L-R): Bill Anderson and Steve Wariner. Chris Hollo/Hollo Photographics for the Grand Ole Opry

“Wow! I can’t believe I’ve been an Opry member for 20 years,” said Wariner. “It’s still one of the greatest honors of my career. I remember my first time on the Opry in 1973 as a member of Dottie West’s band back at the Ryman as if it was just yesterday. It seemed like an impossible dream back then that I would be asked to join…but it happened a few years later! Dreams can come true. Glad to call the Grand Ole Opry my home!”

Earlier in the evening, the Opry threw a backstage party for Wariner, complete with a special cake decorated with an illustration of Wariner’s red telecaster guitar.

Wariner is in the studio working on a new album to be released later this year. His next concert performance will be at City Winery in Nashville on June 11 at 8 p.m. The show will be filmed for a future project.

Between 1981 and 2000, Wariner charted 33 Top 10 country singles. His 10 No. 1 hits include “All Roads Lead to You,” “Some Fools Never Learn” and “Holes in the Floor of Heaven.”