Chris Janson‘s headlining debut at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium on Monday night became extra special when country music superstar Keith Urban invited him to become the newest member of the Grand Ole Opry.
“To see this guy come through that,” Urban said of Jason’s start in Nashville playing in honky-tonks, “slugging it out in the clubs playing night after night, the real deal, 24-7, to have a sold-out show at the Ryman, Chris … first of all, it’s one of my favorite places in the world; somebody once said it’s like playing inside an acoustic guitar. And it is, of course, one of the many homes of the Grand Ole Opry, which I’m a member of the Grand Ole Opry, and I remember the night I got invited. It was an incredible feeling, and I think it was about time you were invited.”
Watch Keith break the big news to Chris below!
It’s great to see Chris’ emotional reaction and we love that his wife Kelly hopped on the stage to give her man a big kiss!
Since first playing the Opry in 2013, Janson has performed more than 100 times at the Grand Ole Opry and his official induction will take place this spring. The last country artist to be inducted into the Opry was Chris Young back in October.
The Missouri native’s sold-out set included “Drunk Girl,” Merle Haggard and George Jones’ “Kickin’ Out the Footlights,” Hank Williams’ “Your Cheatin’ Heart,” Waylon Jennings’ “Lonesome, ‘On’ry and Mean,” Hank Williams Jr.’s “A Country Boy Can Survive” and Johnny Cash’s “Ring of Fire.”
“I’ll never forget the moment that I was invited by brother Keith Urban to join the Grand Ole Opry in front of a Sold out crowd in the Nashville Ryman Auditorium … I am so incredibly humbled in every way. I still cannot believe it. Thank you Lord, thank you Kelly and kids, thank you Opry and Keith, and so many people who have believed in me and continue to do so. It means the world to me,” Janson posted to social media.
“It was such an honor and a blessing last night to welcome my ‘brother from another mother’ @TheChrisJanson into the @Opry family. You played the clubs, you honed your craft, you walk the talk Chris- and now you’re an Opry member!!!! Congrats to you, Kelly, your family, and the whole CJ crew!” Keith Urban posted to Instagram.
Congrats to Chris Janson on the big honor! Share this news with other fans of the star.
