Scotty McCreery was inducted as the latest member of the Grand Ole Opry on Saturday, April 20.
As part of this momentous occasion, McCreery was presented with his own personal mailbox at the Opry, labeled with the number 148.
This mailbox carries a profound significance as it once belonged to the esteemed country music legend Loretta Lynn, who passed away on October 4, 2022, at the age of 90.
This honor was particularly meaningful for McCreery, given the significant role Lynn’s music has played in his life.
Before his long-awaited induction into the Grand Ole Opry, the country music star sat down with Music Mayhem to discuss the upcoming night and the personal meaning behind acquiring the Opry mailbox previously held by the late singer of “Coal Miner’s Daughter.”
“I have been assigned mailbox 148 and that was Loretta Lynn’s former mailbox,” McCreery disclosed. “Her music has meant the world to me growing up, and I even named my truck after Loretta.”
The truck in reference is the Ford F-150 pick-up truck that he was awarded when he won American Idol in 2011, a vehicle he admitted he “still drive[s] that truck today.”
McCreery added, “It’s pretty cool to share that little piece of history with one of the country icons.”
@musicmayhemmagazine.com @Scotty McCreery revealed that his @Grand Ole Opry mailbox previously belonged to late country music icon, LorettaLynn.
Scotty McCreery’s Dream Come True
Scotty McCreery’s dream of joining the Grand Ole Opry has finally become reality as he was inducted as the 227th member.
This significant moment was marked by the presence of renowned country artists and Opry members Randy Travis and Josh Turner, who not only praised McCreery’s talent but also highlighted his potential to inspire future artists, bridging the generational gap within the genre.
“Scotty is not only a fine singer and a songwriter but he’s a great man, husband, and now father. I’m proud of him and I’m proud that he is filling the shoes of the artists before him. With artists like him, country music is in great shape,” Turner shared.
Expressing his gratitude for the warm welcome from the sold-out crowd on the night of his induction, Scotty McCreery became emotional as he addressed the audience, reflecting on the fulfillment of his long-held aspiration.
“Y’all, this night is just, it’s unbelievable. It really is,” McCreery expressed. “If you’ve listened to any of my interviews from the last thirteen years of doing this, they’d say, ‘What’s your biggest goal?’ and I’d always say, ‘One day, I wanna be a member of the Grand Ole Opry.’ I gotta go home and start writing a new bucket list.”
Watch the full moment where Scotty McCreery officially became a member of the Grand Ole Opry below!
Watch the full moment where @ScottyMcCreery officially becomes a member of the Grand Ole Opry!
Opry star @joshturnermusic gave a heartfelt speech alongside @randytravis stating "country music's in great shape" with Scotty before handing him the member award! ♥️ pic.twitter.com/k4Qkdrldxw
— Grand Ole Opry (@opry) April 24, 2024
Scotty McCreery’s Full-Circle Moment At The Grand Ole Opry
During his induction into the Grand Ole Opry, Scotty McCreery experienced an emotional full-circle moment.
Notably, he performed his first No. 1 hit, “Five More Minutes,” which marked a significant turning point in his career when he debuted it on the Opry stage in 2016. This song received an overwhelming response from the audience and became the first song to chart in country music history without the backing of a label.
As McCreery adds his plaque to the Opry member wall, he gears up for the release of his latest album, Rise & Fall, on May 10th. Following this will be an extensive tour schedule to promote the new album.
McCreery is also scheduled to appear on American Idol as a guest performer on Sunday night’s episode (April 28). He’ll share a performance of his new single, “Slow Dance,” which is featured on his new album.
Take a listen to the song below!