Grand Ole Opry Invites Brad Paisley to Be the Next Opry Member Granting Paisley His Ultimate Christmas Wish
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Grand Ole Opry Invites Brad Paisley To Be The Next Opry Member Granting Paisley His Ultimate Christmas Wish December 18, 2000 NASHVILLE, Tenn., Dec. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- The Grand Ole Opry extended the invitation of membership to Arista/Nashville recording artist Brad Paisley tonight and made a Christmas wish come true for the already mainstay Opry guest. Paisley has performed 36 times on the world's longest running live radio show since May 28, 1999, one week prior to the release of his debut album Who Needs Pictures. His formal induction will take place on February 17, 2001 at the Ryman Auditorium where the Opry is being held for the months of January and February 2001. Paisley will also make an appearance on January 6, the weekend that commences the Opry Ryman shows. After Paisley performed an acoustic version of his current hit single "We Danced," Opry member Bill Anderson surprised him by showing a video clip of Paisley at twelve years of age performing a self-penned Christmas song during a WWVA "Jamboree USA" broadcast. At the close of the clip, Anderson invited Opry members Jeannie Seely and Little Jimmy "Tater" Dickens, disguised as Mr. & Ms. Claus, onto the stage. As those members surrounded Paisley, Anderson informed the 28-year-old singer-songwriter of his official invitation to become the newest member of the Grand Ole Opry. Paisley immediately lowered his head and was speechless. "Yes, West Virginia, there is a Santa Claus," exclaimed Seely. Then Dickens said, "Brad, this is what you wanted for Christmas. You've been a good boy." Literally speechless for several seconds after the overwhelming onset of emotions, Paisley responded, "How can you ask me to sing now?" before performing "Born On Christmas Day," a song Paisley wrote and performed when he was twelve years old. Paisley then expressed, "Thank you for being so supportive," -- a remark made to the Opry and fans in the audience. "Not unlike our first 75 years, the Grand Ole Opry's future will be secured by a group of dedicated and talented artists distinguished as Opry members. In only 18 months, Brad Paisley has built an impressive list of career accomplishments. As a result of these achievements, along with a sincere commitment he has shown through his numerous Opry appearances, we look forward to naming him as the newest addition to the Opry family February 17th at the Ryman Auditorium," says Opry manager Pete Fisher. This occurrence takes place almost 16 years to the day on which Paisley made his live radio performance debut at age 12 on WWVA's Jamboree USA on the stage of the Capitol Theatre in Wheeling, WV. Jamboree USA is the second longest running live country radio show in the world. Paisley is the most awarded and most nominated new artist of the year 2000. This country star's list of awards include CMA Horizon Award, ACM Top New Male, TNN/Country Weekly's Discovery Award as well as Song of the Year and Video of the Year for "He Didn't Have to Be". Since the release on his debut album Who Needs Pictures on June 1, 1999, Paisley has achieved Number One status with two singles -- "He Didn't Have to Be" (topped Billboard, R&R and Gavin country airplay charts) in late November 1999 and most recently with "We Danced" (reached the ultimate spot in all trade publications and held #1 in Billboard for 2 consecutive weeks). Paisley's Who Needs Picture disc was certified Gold (500,000 units sold) by the R.I.A.A. last April, and is approaching Platinum certification. It also achieved the Number One position on Billboard's Heatseekers sales chart on multiple occasions this past year. Paisley is the only country artist that debuted in 1999 to score a #1 single in Billboard. Many music critics, fans and fellow artists applaud Paisley for his songwriting skills, musicianship and love of traditional country music. The Grand Ole Opry is part of Gaylord Entertainment Company (NYSE: GET), a diversified entertainment company operating as two business groups: hospitality and attractions, and music, media and entertainment. Gaylord Entertainment is headquartered in Nashville, TN, and its stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (symbol: GET). SOURCE Grand Ole Opry CONTACT: Jessie Schmidt or Darlene Bieber, both of Schmidt Relations, 615-846-3878, for the Grand Ole Opry; or Allen Brown of RLG Label Group, 615-301-4340/.