Reba McEntire asked the country star on live TV
2024 ACM Entertainer of the Year Lainey Wilson has been invited to become the next member of the Grand Ole Opry. The invitation happened during tonight’s (Tues, May 21st) finale of NBC The Voice when coach and Opry member Reba McEntire extended the honor after Wilson performed her latest single, “Hang Tight Honey.”
“Lainey, I am so proud of you. You did a wonderful job. I have heard that I’ve inspired you and what you’ve done so far, and I am thrilled to death if I had anything to do with your career, ’cause you are blowing it up,” Reba shared. “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, keep ’em all goin’. I’d like to be the person who invites you to be an official member of the Grand Ole Opry.”
Wilson tearfully accepted as the pair shared an emotional hug on stage.
“My family’s over here tonight, and I will say, they took me to Nashville when I was nine years old and we went to the Grand Ole Opry, and we saw Bill Anderson and Crystal Gayle and Little Jimmy Dickens, and I knew that I wanted to play there, I wanted to do it. It is so crazy that you’re asking me to be a member ’cause I look up to you so much. I’m not talking about just musically, but the way that you carry yourself and your work ethic, you inspire me every day,” Wilson stated to Reba directly.
McEntire 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.
The multi-platinum Louisiana native will be inducted into the Opry family on Friday, June 7th. She made her Opry debut on Valentine’s Day (Feb. 14), 2020.
Next week, Wilson will open Bell Bottoms Up in partnership with TC Restaurant Group in Nashville on May 31st. The 27,000-square-foot three-story venue will have two stages, four bars, and a mezzanine floor with a lounge bar that overlooks the first-floor stage and dining area. The rooftop level will house a ’70s Western aesthetic including, a lively dancefloor, disco-inspired décor, and frozen drinks. Guests will get a glimpse of the Bayou through a fun basement-level space slated to open later this summer with craft cocktails, immersive décor, and a live music experience to remember.
Her headlining Country’s Cool Again Tour kicks off on May 31st in Nashville with Jackson Dean, Ian Munsick, and Zach Top supporting. More than 35 dates are set through the fall. Her highly anticipated third album, Whirlwind, will be released on August 23rd via Broken Bow Records.
