Emotions erupt as Kathy Mattea is named the next member of the Grand Ole Opry

It was just over a week ago that the country music world mourned the loss of “Miss Country Soul” Jeannie Seely, and a week to the day that the Grand Ole Opry remembered the woman that holds the all-time record for appearances on the Opry stage with 5,397.

Now country music’s oldest institution is making sure the legacy of country music women continues on well into the future, surprising Kathy Mattea with an invitation to become the Opry’s next member during Saturday night’s (8-9) Opry presentation.

“Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, and thank you!” was Mattea’s response after fellow West Virginian Charlie McCoy posed the question. McCoy came out on stage while Mattea was singing her iconic “18 Wheels and A Dozen Roses” with a dozen roses in his hand. He then switched Mattea’s speaker off, disrupting the performance.

“I’m so sorry to interrupt,” McCoy said, “I want to ask you a question. How would you like to be the next member of the Grand Ole Opry?”

“Oh my, I’m here to tell you, I will not forget this night. Ever. Ever. Ever,” Mattea said later. You can watch the moment HERE.

Of course country fans know Kathy Mattea well after her major run in the late 80’s into the early 90’s, minting four #1 singles, and a pretty incredible string of 15 Top 10’s, turning songs like “Eighteen Wheels and a Dozen Roses” into bonafide standards. But when the big radio hits gave out, she didn’t give up, she just kept on doing her thing, and is considered invaluable to the roots scene in Appalachia.

In fact, in 2021, Mattea was named the newest host of West Virginia Public Broadcasting’s long-time show Mountain Stage. Now she will have another major point on her resume: Grand Ole Opry member.

Kathy Mattea will officially become a member when she returns to the Grand Ole Opry on Saturday, October 11th.