Loretta Lynn Inducts Crystal Gayle Into the Grand Ole Opry
Loretta Lynn was on hand at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville on Saturday night (Jan. 21) to induct her sister, fellow country legend Crystal Gayle, into the venerable country music institution.
Gayle's induction took place at the legendary Ryman Auditorium in downtown Music City. The 66-year-old country singer made her debut on the Opry 50 years ago at the age of 16, singing "Ribbon of Darkness" on the stage of the Ryman back when it was still the home of the Opry.
"We’ve been together a long time, honey. And we’ve never had a fight," Lynn said during the induction. "It was the greatest moment of my life when they made me a member of the Grand Ole Opry in 1962. I know she is just as happy as I was then."
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"Being a member of the Opry is just incredible," Gayle states. "It’s really hard to comprehend. I have felt like a part of the Opry for all these years. Now, I’m official."
Gayle's long career has seen her score 20 No. 1 hits in the 1970s and ’80s. She also became the first female artist in country music history to reach platinum sales with her 1977 album, We Must Believe in Magic. Gayle won the CMA Award for Female Vocalist of the Year in 1977 and 1978, and is also a three-time ACM Female Vocalist of the Year winner. Carrie Underwood joined her onstage for a joint rendition of Gayle's signature hit, "Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue," on Nov. 16, 2016, before surprising her with the invitation to join the Opry.
“You are an inspiration to so many of us," Underwood said. "You are important to country music, and you are important to the Opry, which is why I was asked tonight to ask you if you would like to join our Opry family officially.”