Loretta Lynn, Crystal Gayle Make Opry Induction a Family Affair

Loretta Lynn and Crystal Gayle. Photo: Chris Hollo

Proud big sister Loretta Lynn inducted sister Crystal Gayle into the Grand Ole Opry  Saturday night (Jan. 21) making her an official member during the show at the Ryman Auditorium. Gayle first sang on the hallowed Ryman stage 50 years ago when she performed “Ribbon Of Darkness” as a 16-year-old. The “Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue” singer was publicly invited to join the Opry by member Carrie Underwood in November.

“We’ve been together a long time, honey. And we’ve never had a fight,” Lynn said. “It was the greatest moment of my life when they made me a member of the Grand Ole Opry in 1962. I know she is just as happy as I was then.”

“Being a member of the Opry is just incredible,” Gayle said about the honor. “It’s really hard to comprehend. I have felt like a part of the Opry for all these years. Now, I’m official.”

The Opry induction is the latest in a long line of career accolades for Gayle, whose reign in the music business includes 20 No. 1 hits, six gold albums, and the distinction of being the first female artist in country music history to reach platinum sales with her 1977 album, We Must Believe in Magic. She was also honored by the ACM last year with the organization’s Cliffie Stone Pioneer Award during the 10th Annual ACM Honors Show.

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Lorie Hollabaugh

Hollabaugh, a staff writer at MusicRow magazine, has over 20 years of music business experience and has written for publications including American Profile, CMA Close Up, Nashville Arts And Entertainment, The Boot and Country Weekly. She has a Broadcast Journalism and Speech Communication degree from Texas Christian University, (go Horned Frogs), and welcomes your feedback or story ideas at lhollabaugh@musicrow.com.

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