Chris Janson Celebrates Five-Year Opry Member Anniversary

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Chris Janson performs wearing Johnny Cash’s topcoat on the Grand Ole Opry stage. Photo: Courtesy of the Grand Ole Opry/Chris Hollo

Chris Janson celebrated a special anniversary this week as he stepped back into the legendary circle to commemorate five years as a Grand Ole Opry member.

Cumulus’ Charlie Cook, BMLG Records’ Jimmy Harnen and iHeartRadio’s Gator Harrison joined Chris Janson with Minnie Pearl’s ‘85 Cadillac. Photo: Courtesy of the Grand Ole Opry/Chris Hollo

To mark this career milestone, Janson thought it was only fitting to honor the Opry legends who have come before him, rolling up to the Opry artist entrance Tuesday night (March 21) as the newest owner of Minnie Pearl’s famous yellow Cadillac, and performing a rendition of “Folsom Prison Blues,” sporting Johnny Cash’s topcoat.

In 2018 at Janson’s sold-out Ryman Auditorium show, Opry member Keith Urban surprised him live onstage with his official Opry invite. A month later, on March 20, the multi-Platinum singer became the newest member of the Grand Ole Opry. As superstar Garth Brooks handed Janson his Opry membership award, Brooks proclaimed, “Chris, it is my honor to welcome you to the family. This will be — no matter how many times you look back on it — the greatest night of your music career.”

“Wow, what a wonderful day! Humbled and grateful to be celebrating five years as a Grand Ole Opry member,” Janson exclaimed during the special evening. “The Opry is home and it’s one of my very favorite places to play. I cherish the history, the legends that came before me and all those that continue to play. I bought Minnie Pearl’s last yellow Cadillac and a coat from Johnny Cash to preserve the history of our beloved Country music because it’s important. I’m a proud Opry member!”

Lorie Hollabaugh
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