Sara Evans welcomed into Grand Ole Opry family during 98th birthday weekend

Watch the moment here

Press Release

CMA and ACM Award-winning artist Sara Evans was officially inducted in to the Grand Ole Opry family on Saturday, by Opry member Crystal Gayle, during the Opry’s 98th birthday weekend.

"I want to thank the Opry for asking me to become a member because this is a country artist's dream come true," Evans said. "And I have been dreaming about this my entire life."

Evans was surprised with an Opry invitation by the Opry’s longest-serving member, Bill Anderson, at her sold-out concert in August at the Ryman Auditorium celebrating the release of “Sara Evans Still Restless – The 20 Year Celebration.” 

Jon Pardi, invited to join the Opry during this year’s Stagecoach Festival, is scheduled to be inducted into the Opry on Tuesday, Oct. 24. Among others coming soon to the Opry, “Opry Country Classics” and “Opry Country Christmas” shows include Trace Adkins, Lauren Alaina, Kelsea Ballerini, Priscilla Block, Vince Gill, Lady A, Scotty McCreery, Carly Pearce and Carrie Underwood. Tickets are on sale now for all 2023 shows at 615-871-OPRY and opry.com.

The Opry's 98th birthday celebration on Saturday night's show. (Photo by Chris Hollo// provided by Schmidt Relations)

Crystal Gayle welcomes Sara Evans in to the Grand Ole Opry family. (Photo by Chris Hollo// provided by Schmidt Relations)

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More About Sara Evans

Multi-Platinum entertainer Evans is at the top of her game. As the fifth-most-played female artist at country radio in nearly the last two decades – her five No. 1 singles include “No Place That Far,” “Suds In The Bucket, “A Real Fine Place To Start,” “Born to Fly” and “A Little Bit Stronger,” which spent two weeks in the top spot and was certified Platinum by the RIAA – she thrills audiences across the U.S. playing close to 100 shows each year. 

Evans has earned the prestigious Academy of Country Music Top Female vocalist accolade as well as numerous American Music Awards, Billboard Music Awards, Country Music Association, CMT and Grammy Awards nominations. In addition, the CMA awarded Video of the Year honors for her hit, chart-topping single, "Born to Fly," from her double-Platinum album of the same name. Evans’ discography also includes the Platinum-selling studio albums “Real Fine Place” and “Restless,” as well as the Gold-certified projects “Stronger” and “No Place That Far.”

In addition to a prolific country music career, Evans has been honored for her philanthropic work and, in 2018, was presented the NAB Education Foundation’s Service To America Leadership Award. A Red Cross ambassador, Evans received the national Crystal Cross award for her work with the disaster-relief organization and has donated her time and fundraising efforts toward the CMA Foundation, ACM Lifting Lives, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and Thistle Farms.

For more information on Sara Evans, visit SaraEvans.com and engage with her on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

More About the Grand Ole Opry

The Grand Ole Opry is the home of country music where artists and fans gather, in person and virtually, to celebrate and be part of country’s past, present and future. Founded in Nashville in 1925 and today the longest-running live broadcast show in the world, the Opry strengthens its roots by constantly evolving. The Opry’s members are country’s most emblematic artists, and the show regularly showcases country music’s top new talent. The Opry welcomes legions of fans to visit the Opry House in Nashville – Music City, USA – to experience one of the three to five live shows it hosts per week; take a backstage tour; listen to live broadcasts on opry.com and wsmonline.com, SiriusXM “Willie’s Roadhouse,” or its flagship home WSM Radio; and watch “Opry Live” on Saturday nights and Opry content all week long on the Circle Network.

The Grand Ole Opry is owned by Ryman Hospitality Properties and part of a strategic investment with Atairos and NBCUniversal. For more information, visit opry.com.