The iconic Bluegrass artist has finally been formally inducted into the Grand Ole Opry.
The wait is over: Legendary bluegrass artist Rhonda Vincent was formally inducted as a member of the Grand Ole Opry Saturday by Opry member Dierks Bentley. She had been invited to join the Opry one year ago this month — but the original March 24 induction date had to be rescheduled because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
During the onstage event, Vincent recalled with a laugh that “It’s been 343 days, seven hours, three minutes, and five seconds” since the original invitation. “This is a night I will never forget and will cherish the rest of my life. I am proof that dreams really do come true.”
Bentley waxed nostalgic while paying tribute to the bluegrass icon during his introduction: “I’ll never forget the night that our mutual friend Marty Stuart made me an official member of the Opry — and I’m so pleased to get to do the same for you tonight. Rhonda, you are now an official member of the Grand Ole Opry! I know you will carry the Opry banner proudly wherever you go!”
Grand Ole Opry vice president and executive producer Dan Rogers added: “It’s great to have the supremely talented and very patient Rhonda Vincent as an official Opry member. She brings with her countless fans, industry respect, and heartfelt passion for keeping the Opry vibrant and entertaining for generations to come. We look forward to Rhonda spending the rest of her career with us as part of the Opry family.”
Vincent spoke with C&I last year about being invited to join the Opry by her good friend Jeannie Seely. You can read that interview here. And here is a YouTube video commemorating Vincent's induction.
