Warner Music Nashville country artist Chris Janson was inducted as the newest and youngest living member of the Grand Ole Opry this evening by Garth Brooks, an Opry member since 1990.
Addressing Janson on stage, Brooks said, “Driving in here tonight, I passed a billboard that says ‘Welcome To The Family.’ Family is a great name for this place. Another great name for this place is church. That’s what it’s all about. Because if anytime you are at your lowest, these people are going to be here for you. And they’ll expect the same out of you, and they’ll get the same out of you.”
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Handing Janson his Opry member award, Brooks added, “Chris, it is my honor to welcome you to the family. This will be– no matter how many times you look back on it– the greatest night of your music career.”
“How do you not cry on a night like this?” Janson began. “To know me is to know I really, truly love the Grand Ole Opry. … This will be a moment I will never forget. … Thanks for making my dreams come true, and thanks for buying a ticket to the Opry to see it happen! I hope you come back a million times! I’ll buy the ticket for ya. I don’t even care. I love you that much!”
Janson’s surprise membership invitation from Opry member Keith Urban occurred during his sold-out concert at the Ryman Auditorium in February.
“Chris Janson showed us all again tonight why we are so excited to welcome him into the Opry family,” said Opry General Manager Sally Williams. “Like he has during every Opry appearance he’s made, he exuded passion and enthusiasm for this iconic show he loves so much. Whether he’s playing his own hits, songs he’s written for fellow artists, or his all-time country favorites, he brings Opry audiences to their feet with his performances. Backstage, it’s amazing to watch him connect with both the artists who have come before him and those who are following in his footsteps. We could not be more thrilled about the excitement, loyalty, and great music he will bring to our Opry family for years to come.”
About Chris Janson:
Warner Bros. / Warner Music Nashville country artist Chris Janson was born to entertain crowds. He recently released his “heart-piercing ballad” (People) “Drunk Girl” to radio, where it is drawing praise from fans and critics alike. Called “quite possibly the most important song to come out of Nashville in years” (CMT), the single was named one of Rolling Stone’s 25 Best Country Songs of 2017.
The singer/songwriter earned his second chart-topping single in November with the summer anthem “Fix A Drink” from his sophomore album Everybody. Janson’s breakthrough No. 1 Platinum-certified single “Buy Me A Boat” was the 7th bestselling country song of the year in 2015, although his professional music career began more than 10 years ago. The singer/songwriter has also penned multiple top-charting hits including “Truck Yeah” (Tim McGraw), “That’s How I’ll Always Be” (Tim McGraw), “I Love This Life” (LoCash), and over 25 additional hit songs recorded by a long list of established artists.
The electrifying multi-instrumentalist is known as much for his hit songwriting as his “infectious” (Billboard) performances, with Rolling Stone describing him as having “a mesmerizing stage presence that most arena-headlining artists would kill for.” Janson was recently selected by legendary entertainer Garth Brooks to open the final show on his massive World Tour and is currently hitting arenas across the nation alongside label mate Cole Swindell on the Reason To Drink Tour. He will join Jake Owen this summer for the Life’s Whatcha Make It Tour. The breakout country star, who received a surprise invitation to join the Grand Ole Opry from Keith Urban during his sold-out headlining show at the Ryman Auditorium, is the youngest living member of the hallowed organization. Janson has also made numerous national television appearances including The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Late Night with Seth Meyers, Conan, Today, Megyn Kelly Today, Live with Kelly & Ryan and more.
