Chris Young Fulfills Dream As He Becomes Newest Opry Member

Pictured (L-R:) Larry Fitzgerald, Fitzgerald Hartley Mgmt.; Sally Williams, GM Grand Ole Opry/Sr VP, Programming & Artist Relations, Opry Entertainment; Brad Paisley; Chris Young; Steve Buchanan, President, Opry Entertainment Group; Bill Simmons, Fitzgerald Hartley Mgmt.) Photo: © 2017 Grand Ole Opry Photo by Chris Hollo

Chris Young had a dream come true Tuesday night (Oct. 17) as he was officially inducted into the Grand Ole Opry family by his friend, Opry member Brad Paisley.

Before his induction, Young recalled first listening to the Opry as a four-year-old and how he first saw the show live when he was eight. “There is always such a respect for where we all come from here,” he said.

Young performed four songs for the sold-out audience, before Paisley took the stage to present him with the Opry Member Award presented to each official member.

“Just look where you are!” Paisley said during the moment, noting the pair’s presence in the Opry’s famed circle center stage. “When I was first made a member of this crazy family, I had no idea the actual way this is a family,” Paisley said. “I quickly was accepted and asked to be a part of so many things. Chris is one of those people that will make the most of this. … This is a great human being, and that’s what the Opry needs.”

Young closed out the momentous evening with Cassadee Pope, performing the pair’s number one single “Think Of You.” The show kicked off a big week for Young, who also releases his seventh album, Losing Sleep, this Friday, (Oct. 20).

Brad Paisley and Chris Young. Photo: Chris Hollo

Chris Young places his name plate on the member gallery backstage at the Grand Ole Opry. Photo by Chris Hollo

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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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