Following her live performance of her new single “Hang Tight Honey” on NBC’s The Voice last night (May 21), Lainey Wilson was surprised by Opry member Reba McEntire with an invitation to become an official member of the Grand Ole Opry family.

The ACM Entertainer of the Year made her Opry debut on Feb. 14, 2020, and will be inducted on Friday, June 7.

“Lainey, I am so proud of you. You did a wonderful job. I have heard that I have inspired you in what you have done so far, and I am thrilled to death if I have had anything to do with your career because you are blowing it up. I was so proud of you at the ACMs the other night and I couldn’t be more proud to be the one that helps you continue to bridge the gap between our generations. I’d like to be the person to invite you to become an official member of the Grand Ole Opry,” said McEntire.

She then presented Wilson with a gift commemorating the occasion, a custom-made belt buckle reading “Opry” and “Lainey” with “2024” emblazoned on its reverse side.

“I am so incredibly honored to be invited to become an official member of the Grand Ole Opy, and to have the legendary Reba McEntire surprise me during tonight’s show was such an unforgettable moment,” shared Wilson. “This is something I’ve always dreamed of, ever since my first trip to the Opry when I was nine years old. I will never forget this moment!”

“There is not a doubt in my mind that Lainey will make an impact on country music and the Grand Ole Opry for generations to come,” says Dan Rogers, Senior Vice President & Executive Producer, Grand Ole Opry. “On the eve of the Opry’s 100th year, we’re so very excited to say ‘welcome home’ to one of country music’s great voices and personalities.”

The 59th Academy of Country Music Awards took place Thursday night (May 16) at The Star in Frisco, Texas.

Lainey Wilson was crowned ACM Entertainer of the Year, her first time receiving the honor. Chris Stapleton led the night in total wins with four awards, followed by Wilson with three wins, and Luke Combs and Jordan Davis with two wins.

Music icon Reba McEntire hosted the two hour show that featured 18 performances from 19 artists, along with several collaborations. She kept things lighthearted and funny during her opening remarks, often highlighting the popularity of country music at the moment.

“From Mother Maybelle to Cowboy Carter, country music is so big in 2024 that there’s room for everybody,” she said. “We all love country [music] and we all are country. We’re keeping the circle unbroken, but growing it to even bigger and better.”

Wilson kicked off the night’s music with a cover of “God Blessed Texas” before transitioning into an exciting performance of her new single “Hang Tight Honey.” Jelly Roll continued the party with a performance of an unreleased song “Liar.”

The first award presentation, for Song of the Year, came swiftly. It went to Davis’ “Next Thing You Know,” co-written by Davis, Chase McGill, Greylan James and Josh Osborne.

Davis thanked the songwriting community for embracing him when he accepted. McGill and James stood grinning widely behind him, embracing each other. “I love songwriting because of songs that have won Song of the Year,” Davis said.

In one of the night’s best musical moments, Kelsea Ballerini was joined by folk-pop artist Noah Kahan for a mashup of her “Mountain With A View” and his “Stick Season.” It was the first of many successful collaborations throughout the show.

The next ACM Award went to Dan + Shay for Duo of the Year. The two thanked their families and teams and shared that despite their journey of highs and lows, “the one thing that has remained the same is the love and support from the country music community.”

For the next award, Old Dominion took home their seventh consecutive win for ACM Group of the Year, tying Rascal Flatts for the most consecutive wins in the category.

Speaking of groups, sister duo Tigirlily Gold gave a warm performance of “I Tried A Ring On.” The sisters, who were crowned New Duo or Group winners earlier in the week, hugged each other with excitement after they wrapped up their ACM Awards debut.

After another musical highlight of the night, a performance of Cody Johnson‘s touching “Dirt Cheap,” viewers heard some new music. Thomas Rhett excited the crowd with his new song “Beautiful As You” and Miranda Lambert set the stage ablaze with the television premiere of her new single, “Wranglers.”

Georgia native Kane Brown sang a soulful rendition of Ray Charles’ classic “Georgia on My Mind,” which Charles performed on the ACM Awards stage 40 years ago. Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani only had eyes for each other as they sang their latest duet “Purple Irises.”

About mid-way through the show, the party subdued for a tribute to the late, great Toby Keith. His close friend and fellow Okie Shelton spoke about the icon before introducing Jason Aldean to perform one of Keith’s biggest hits. Aldean did an excellent job with a reverent version of “Should’ve Been A Cowboy” with accompaniment from a small string section. There wasn’t a dry eye in the room as pictures of Keith took over the screens.

Stapleton was presented with Male Artist of the Year. Wilson got emotional as she accepted Female Artist of the Year. She thanked McEntire and all of the other women in country music who paved the road before her.

Another highlight of the night came when Stapleton and surprise guest Dua Lipa shocked the audience with an unexpected performance of “Think I’m In Love With You.” The exceptional singers, complete with Morgane Stapleton‘s signature harmonies, sounded perfect together on the funky song.

Wilson earned her next trophy alongside Jelly Roll for Music Event of the Year with “Save Me.” Jelly shared how important the song was to him and his “high school friend” David Ray Stevens who he wrote it with.

Soon came Post Malone‘s highly-anticipated ACM Awards performance. The Texas-bred artist proved his country cred with a performance of “Never Love You Again” before thrilling the crowd with the history-making “I Had Some Help.”

Before he left the stage, McEntire joined him for a few acoustic verses of the Allman Brothers Band‘s “Ramblin’ Man,” in tribute to the band’s recently-passed Dickey Betts. Malone gushed at McEntire and the country music community’s acceptance of him, often bowing his head in gratitude and respect.

In another sweet moment, the son and widow of the late Country Music Hall of Famer Charley Pride appeared to present the ACM Album of the Year award. Rozene and Dion gave the honor to Stapleton for Higher.

With his co-producers wife Morgane and Dave Cobb behind him, he shared, “We do our best to make an album that’s a complete body of work. I hope that’s what this means.” Morgane added, “I am so proud every day to get to work with the love of my life… I feel like the luckiest girl in the world.”

After Parker McCollum performed his ACM Award-winning “Burn It Down,” the fire moved over to the big stage with a fun collaboration from New Male Artist of the Year winner Nate Smith and pop icon Avril Lavigne. The two traded verses and smirks on Smith’s “Bulletproof.”

The award of the night, Entertainer of the Year, went to Wilson. She was emotional when she accepted the trophy.

“I remember being a little girl and I would open my window, climb out on our roof and count the stars. I’d see the planes flying over my little town of 200 people. I would dream about being up there in one of those planes,” Wilson shared. “The funny thing is that I still feel like that little girl. I still climb out on the roof and look at the stars—but I feel more eye-level with them now.”

For the last performance of the night, McEntire set the stage on fire and brought the house down with her new single “I Can’t” backed by a 20-person choir. She revealed that she would be back to host the 60th Academy of Country Music Awards next year, which is sure to be a historic night.