STEVEN CURTIS CHAPMAN HONORED TO BECOME A MEMBER OF GRAND OLE OPRY WITH RICKY SKAGGS / PHOTO CREDIT: GRAND OLE OPRY PHOTOGRAPHER CHRIS HOLLO
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – (July 27, 2024) – Multi-Grammy® and GMA Award winning Steven Curtis Chapman was invited to become a member of the Grand Ole Opry tonight by Opry member and longtime friend Ricky Skaggs. With 50 No. 1 hits, Chapman is the most awarded artist in Christian music history. The beloved singer made his Opry debut 42 years ago at age 19 when he was a performer at Opryland Theme Park singing the songs of Opry greats including George Jones, Ricky Skaggs and more.
STEVEN CURTIS CHAPMAN INVITED TO BECOME A MEMBER OF THE GRAND OLE OPRY BY OPRY MEMBER AND LONGTIME FRIEND RICKY SKAGGS VIDEO COURTESY OF GRAND OLE OPRY FOR TENN TEXAS MEDIA
After Chapman’s set, Skaggs approached his friend with a framed photo of a young Chapman from around the time of his Opry debut. “[The archives] have found a picture of [you]. We need to have a picture of this. Where’s Chris [Hollo, Opry photographer]? Get a good picture because this is going to go great beside that picture right there that he’s taking because you are going to be the next member of the Grand Ole Opry, if you want to!? Only if you want to!?” Chapman dropped to his knees excited and in disbelief. Skaggs said, “I think you want to.” Skaggs continued, “I’m so proud for you bud. You deserve to be here. There’s been greats that have been on this stage and been members of the Opry and we are glad you’re joining the Grand Ole Opry and doing what you do best.”
“That is incredible, brother,”
steven curtis chapman
“That is incredible, brother,” said Chapman. “I can not tell you all how surprised I am. This is a massive surprise. I had no idea, and I am so honored and just so grateful. What an amazing family to be a part of. I was thinking when I started singing tonight on this stage, I really did, this is my favorite place to sing these days. I feel at home, I feel like this is my family. Everyone here. I am so honored to be part of this family. Thank you guys. Thank you Jesus, and thank you all.”
Chapman’s induction date will be announced soon.
Chapman is also scheduled to perform on this season’s Opry Country Christmas. The Opry member-elect will be the Spotlight Artist on December 22. Presented by Humana, the series will also feature special performances by Spotlight Artists including Opry members Jon Pardi (Dec. 1), The Oak Ridge Boys (Dec. 4), Scotty McCreery (Dec. 5), Chris Young (Dec. 8), Chris Janson (Dec. 11), Trace Adkins (Dec. 16), and more. Tickets are on sale now at opry.com.
Hosted by Grammy®-winning Opry member Larry Gatlin, Opry Country Christmas will showcase songs of the holiday season beginning Dec. 1 and running through Dec. 23 for a total of ten shows. Each show features Opry members The Gatlin Brothers, Riders In The Sky, Mandy Barnett and Country Music Hall of Famer Charlie McCoy. Other Opry members, Spotlight Artists and special guests including Kathy Mattea (12/2), Priscilla Block (12/8), Chapel Hart(12/11), Mickey Guyton (12/16), John Berry (12/22) and more will round out the shows made up of artists’ original songs and timeless Christmas favorites.
For Opry Country Christmas tickets and more information on the full Opry schedule, visit opry.com
About Steven Curtis Chapman: In a career that has spanned more than three decades, Steven Curtis Chapman is the most awarded artist in Christian music history. With 59 Gospel Music Association (GMA) Dove Awards, five GRAMMY® Awards, an American Music Award, and a historic 50 No. 1 singles, he has sold more than sixteen million albums with ten RIAA-Certified® Gold or Platinum albums to his credit.
In his career, he has collaborated with and had his songs recorded by other renowned artists in the Christian music world including Amy Grant, Casting Crowns, Mercy Me, Tasha Cobbs Leonard, CeCe Winans, and others. His songs of hope have also crossed genres, seeing collaborations with Glen Campbell, Gary LeVox of Rascal Flatts, Ricky Skaggs, Brad Paisley, Lauren Alaina, Mitchell Tenpenny, and more. In 2017, Chapman also became a best-selling author with his memoir Between Heaven and the Real World: My Story.
His new album, Still, is filled with entirely fresh, life-giving songs for the masses, including his 50th #1 hit “Don’t Lose Heart”.
He is also the recent recipient of the BMI Icon Award. Given to him in June 2022, Chapman is the first Christian music songwriter to receive the honor, joining an elite list that includes Dolly Parton, Sting, Paul Simon, Carole King, and Stevie Nicks.
Along with touring the world, Steven Curtis Chapman has appeared on Good Morning America, The Tonight Show, CBS Sunday Morning and This Morning, CNN, MSNBC, 60 Minutes, E! Entertainment, The Today Show, Fox & Friends among others, along with appearing in the pages of People Magazine, Billboard, Parents Magazine, and more. As a vocal supporter of adoption, Chapman along with his wife Mary Beth founded Show Hope in 2003, a nonprofit organization that helps restore the hope of a family to orphans.
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, Tennessee – Music City, USA – to experience one of the 3-5 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 (NYSE: RHP) and part of a strategic investment with Atairos and NBCUniversal. For more information, visit opry.com.
