After Years of Dues Paid, T. Graham Brown Invited as Opry Member
T. Graham Brown is one of the numerous country music legends who’s performed on the Grand Ole Opry hundreds of times in his career, but for whatever reason has always evaded a formal invitation as a member, despite already feeling like part of that family. But years of paying dues and logging performances has finally paid off for him.
During a taping of T. Graham’s SiriusXM Show “Live Wire” on Tuesday (2-20) with Vince Gill, the Grand Ole Opry member surprised Brown with the invitation.
“Awww, man. That’s amazing, Vince. Oh my goodness. Please tell me you’re not kidding me,” T Graham Brown responded. “This is the greatest thing. You don’t know what that means to me. I so wanted this; you just don’t know. I’m so proud of the Opry. I’m just so proud to be there every time. I’ve never taken it for granted. It’s just amazing.”
“They love you,” Gill said. “That’s a special place, and you’ll be a valued part of that place. I didn’t mean to make you cry. Congratulations!”
Grand Ole Opry executive producer Dan Rogers says that T Graham Brown feels like family every time he walks through the doors of the Opry, and now he officially will be. “He adds a special spirit and a great performance to every Opry show he’s part of. It’s not lost on me that immediately after having been invited to join the Opry at the SiriusXM studios, within minutes he was on the road to the Opry for yet another performance, adding to his 300+ count of Opry appearances,” Rogers said.
The 69-year-old Brown celebrated the invitation by appearing in the 7:00 hour of Tuesday night’s Opry along with Canadian Corb Lund who is preparing to release his new album El Viejo this Friday, as well as Crystal Gayle and Don Schlitz. Texas supergroup The Wilder Blue also made their official Grand Ole Opry debut Tuesday night in a segment that also featured Sierra Ferrell and Riders in the Sky, underscoring the Opry mix of legends and legends-in-the-making.
T. Graham Brown is best known for his big hits in the ’80s, including #1’s “Hell and High Water,” “Don’t Go To Strangers,” and “Darlene.” Brown’s signature is mixing a bit of an R&B influence with his country, and he’s also been successful in the Gospel music arena. Well liked in Nashville, Brown always seems to be involved whenever a tribute concert transpires.
The SiriusXM episode featuring Brown’s invitation will not air until April, but you can watch the moment HERE. T. Graham will be formally inducted at a time to be announced soon.
February 20, 2024 @ 10:15 pm
I’ve seen and met T Graham, and his wife, several times in recent years following his show. He really enjoys meeting his fans and always puts on a fun show. Congratulations!
February 21, 2024 @ 1:17 am
Brown’s got to be the only country star whose “signature” song is one that he recorded after his major league career was over, and that was not a hit. He might be able to get away without singing “Darlene,” but I don’t think T. can give a concert anywhere and walk off the stage without performing “Wine Into Water” (and milking it for all it’s worth).
February 23, 2024 @ 5:43 pm
Agreed. One of the greatest songs ever.
February 21, 2024 @ 1:52 am
Amazing singer.
February 21, 2024 @ 2:35 am
Well deserved… and way overdue! His royal T-ness is a fantastic singer and performer. His first hit song “Tell It Like It Used to Be” is one of my all time favorites. T. Graham Brown probably gets more airplay these days on beach music radio stations for his hits “Brilliant Conversationalist” and his remake of “With This Ring.” His latest single (December 2023) is an R&B flavored holiday tune “Santa’s Got His Baby Something Good.” Cheers & Twangs!
February 21, 2024 @ 6:22 am
❤️
February 21, 2024 @ 9:24 am
Class move by the Opry. “Wine Into Water” is my favorite as well.
February 21, 2024 @ 9:37 am
I love Country music and have never heard his voice or songs. It’s really a shame how so many professional people in many arts, are ignored but so called Heavy Metal is not my cup of tea. Music makes us happy and sad sometimes, but it is music.
February 21, 2024 @ 12:25 pm
So excited for him and his wife. Congrats
Great preformer and he has a great testimony
February 21, 2024 @ 1:47 pm
So so happy for him.He is truly so humble and kind. I love his song “turn wine into water ”
So honest and humble. Congratulations ????
February 21, 2024 @ 3:43 pm
Very much deserved. So glad for him and Sheila.
February 21, 2024 @ 6:44 pm
Another upshot for T is that since many fans and some writers do not distinguish Induction to the Opry from the Hall of Fame,it’s inevitable that he’ll be referred to is some articles as a H-o-F’er, and a lot of fans will think he’s in.
February 21, 2024 @ 9:58 pm
Love this man and all his songs❤❤❤❤❤❤
February 21, 2024 @ 11:14 pm
Are the Opry clowns throwing darts at a large board with names on it, or pulling names out of a giant hat? There’s no rhyme or reason for most of the their choices in recent years (decades?). T should have been inducted a long time ago. Happy for him.
February 22, 2024 @ 12:50 am
SO well-deserved! One of the last remaining TRUE country artists! This is a good day! George, Merle and the boys would be proud! Congratulations, T! This is long overdue!
February 22, 2024 @ 10:10 am
Except that Merle Haggard was never an Opry member, and George Jones only showed up once every couple years when he was a member. So, I don’t think either one of them would really care that T was asked to join the Opry.
February 22, 2024 @ 7:12 pm
What a absolute heart-renching Opry Induction ask !! T Graham is a total class act and shoulda been in back in the 80s. I’ve booked a few T .shows over the years and he has giving 110% every single time. Congratulations to him and Sheila for being the epitome of a country music couple !!!!