NASHVILLE, Tenn. - (May 10, 2008) Reigning Academy of Country Music and Country Music Association Female Vocalist of the Year Carrie Underwood became the newest member of the Grand Ole Opry tonight, inducted by fellow Oklahoman, Opry member Garth Brooks, before a sold-out Opry House audience.
Presenting Underwood with the Opry Member Award, Brooks said, Nothing will last as long or be more important than this award right here tonight. Congratulations.
Giving the award a kiss, Underwood beamed, This is going to have a very special place in my awards case. Her voice breaking, she continued, I want to thank everybody at the Opry for having me as part of your family because it is such a great family to be a part of. it really means everything to me. I am so blessed.
Underwood made her Grand Ole Opry debut on June 10, 2005, just two weeks after winning American Idol. Her love for the Opry started as a child as she grew up watching and listening to the show, dreaming of one day performing there and even becoming a member herself.
Since her debut nearly three years ago, Carrie has not only created many memorable Opry moments with her numerous appearances and extraordinary talents, but she has also shown us that she shares a heartfelt connection and a commitment to country music and its rich legacy, Opry Vice President and General Manger Pete Fisher said in March following Underwood's Opry invitation.. We could not be happier to welcome Carrie into the Opry family tonight, he said this evening. We look forward to many Opry performances in the future and to all of the bright moments that her future holds.
Underwood is currently headlining her Carnival Ride Tour with Opry member Josh Turner as special guest. Her current album CARNIVAL RIDE, which contains the #1 co-written smash hits So Small and All-American Girl and the current co-written hit, Last Name, was certified double-platinum within 2 months of its release. Her debut album, SOME HEARTS, was recently certified 7x-Platinum, becoming the best-selling solo female country debut in RIAA history. With this certification, SOME HEARTS also surpasses all other releases as the all-time U.S. top-selling album by any American Idol contestant.
The induction aired live on Opry Live on GAC: Great American Country. The Opry Member Award presented to Underwood is a 14-inch bronze and oak wood replica of the Opry's vintage microphone stand designed by renowned sculptor Bill Rains.
Underwood's next scheduled Opry appearance is set for Tuesday, June 3, when she will join Montgomery Gentry, The Oak Ridge Boys, Luke Bryan, and more on the Opry stage on the eve of the CMA Music Festival. The Grand Ole Opry® is presented by Cracker Barrel Old Country Store®. Opry performances are held every weekend of the year, and the Tuesday Night Opry continues through Dec. 18. To plan an Opry visit, call (800) SEE-OPRY or log on to www.opry.com.
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Replies for this News article
I <3 Carrie!
OMG!!! Carrie is my IDOL!!!! I LOVE HER!!! I have her ENTIRE some hearts album and some of her circus ride album memorized! I AM HER # 1 FAN! KEEP ON ROCKIN!
Congradulations Carrie !
I knew you would do well. I hope your getting a small break between shows.
Is the Vitamin Water working? Send me a jug, lol.
Don't strain that beautiful voice!
Dream about me!
Miss me a little will ya? LOL
Love,
Bryan
--
Bryan Garten
Duet
I'd love to sing a duet with you Carrie on an album or maybe 6 or more. Just amazing. Congrats on your walk of life into the Opry. One of my dreams as well. Continue the great work.
YOU ARE THE BEST
Congratulations Carrie on being the newest member of Grand Ole Opry. I have to admit that the whole time that Garth Brooks saying his speech to the time you were thanking you fans, I was crying. You really deserved it Carrie. You have been an amazing singer, down to earth person and a very good role model to the youths. You always give your best performances and never disappoint your fans. Like Garth said, your membership to the Grand Ole Opry is the most important of all the awards/accolades you have and will have. For only being around for over 2 years and became a memeber of the Grand Ole Opry proved only one thing and that is Carrie, you are an incredible singer.
congratulation
i can't write a lot of because my poor english.i can say "i love you very much and NEVER GIVE UP"
WOW!!!!!
Carrie You So deserve this!!!!!!
I wanna be just like you when I grow up you're SO amazing!!!! 
--
~Kimberly~
CONGRATULATIONS CARRIE!!!!
Satuday ...... woke up excited , can't wait for the evening to come ( put my VCR on timer to record the show !!! ) but I turn on the TV the screen is FROZEN!!!! OH!NO ! NO! NO! Not today! So I called our cable company what's going on , they're having technical problems and they're working on it! Thank God it's ok by afternoon !
Watched both show(My road to Opry and OPry) I am very happy for you and it make cry (tears of happpiness ). You said in your intervew that your Dad don't smile when you sing.And I finally saw your DAD!!! HE'S smiling from ear to ear 
Saturday night ! CONGRATULATIONS ONCE AGAIN CARRIE!!!!!! Watched over and over again ..... I am so happy for !!!!
Grand Ole Orpy
Congradulations Carrie!!!! I knew it was only a matter of time before you were inducted into the opry. I believed in you when I saw your audition on American Idol. Keep up the good work and continue to make excellent music!
RE:
Hey Carrie you should have reminded Garth he still owes you that Duet from when you were 10 at the Presentation of the trophy.Congradulations, Opry did a very smart thing by bringing you into the fold you have the academic skills to really help the Opry in PR and promoting their Brand.
--
Carrie is my new Favorite Vocalist
Thanks, Grand Old Opry!
I do so thank the Grand Old Opry for giving permission to post Carrie's induction on YouTube. Since I didn't get to watch it on TV, not getting the channel it aired on, this was the only way I could watch it at all. Carrie, you looked great, and I know you're going to be a great member of the Opry!
Now, if they would just post the songs you sang following your induction, after the commercial break--I want to see those, too!
YOU DESERVE IT :) CONGRATS :)
CONGRATS CARRIE!!!!! I am so proud of you for what you have done since Idol 2005. You are my role model and seeing you getting inducted into the Grand Ole Opry makes me happy! When Garth was talking to you, I burst in tears because I am so happy and SO PROUD OF YOU!!!! And seeing you smile, I totally knows that you have a big heart and it just glows just as you always glow on stage. I look forward to many more years to come in the future and you will be my favorite artist of all time! I love your voice and all of your songs in both of your albums! I play all of them 24-7 millions of times a day
I love you with all of my heart and thank you everything from the bottom of my heart from everything you have done in the last 3 years! You totally deserve this!!!!
YOU ARE ALWAYS GORGEOUS EVERY TIME I SEE YOU ON TV & MAGEZINES NO MATTER WHAT! God gave you the voice and I am blessed to be your BIGGEST FAN!!!!
I LOVE YOU CARRIE
--
Natalie Marie
Congrats Carrie Underwood!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YOU'RE THE BEST!!!!! GREAT JOB LAST NIGHT!!!
Congratulations Carrie Underwood!!!!!! That induction was so beautiful and well done last night, you did an awesome job!!!! You're an awesome person, a great singer with an amazing voice, you're very talented and you deserve that great honor with all of your hard work that you do! As a fan, I thank you from the bottom of my heart with everything that you do and keep up with the great work and I wish you the best, YOU'RE AWESOME AND I LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!! It was really awesome to see that last night, it was so beautiful to see you perform and get inducted with your family, friends and fans being there it was great! I had tears going when you did your acceptance speech, it was so beautiful and very inspirational you did a great job no worries!!!!!!!!!!! You're the most talented, most beautiful, and a very down to earth all american girl, you're a inspiration to many to me too, you're an idol, you're truly one of a kind Carrie, you're great!!!!!!!!!!!!! Once again Congrats with that great honor, many more to come Carrie!!! THANK YOU CARRIE UNDERWOOD FOR EVERYTHING AND I LOVE YOU, I'LL ALWAYS BE A FAN OF YOURS FOREVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Love your #1 Fan,
Lisa (Buffalo, NY Care Bear 4 Life!)
--
Carrie Underwood is the BEST!!!!!!!!!
Congradulations Carrie
I was going to check into Union Station until I found out I had to drive back up to where the Grande Ole Opry was. I grabbed a Hotel room near the Opry so I could change clothes real quick. I was a tad disappointed....Garth got to bestow the honors. I was hoping I could. I already knew what to say.
I left an old WW2 Bible with the sound mixer by section 20. I asked him to give it to you. I let someone else use my seat. I sat up across from the sound man. Did you see me? I was standing in section 25 for the early performance and induction.
If you have time in the morning we could do Church together or take a walk. Want to get a Waffle with me? LOL
Love,
--
Bryan Garten
859-509-5288
Goodnight Carrie.
Congrats Carrie!!!!
Congratulations Carrie! You are truly deserving of this and you prove it with every song you release/write/sing!!! What a great honor to be inducted into the Grand Ole Opry!! You are an outstanding artist and it does not go unnoticed!! Some Hearts and Carnival Ride are two amazing albums, and the album sales show that!
I hope to hear you for many years to come and keep up the WONDERFUL work! 
You are such an inspiration! 
--
"The world can be yours
If you let your heart
Believe in ever after"