Carly Pearce Invited By Dolly Parton To Join The Grand Ole Opry

Dolly Parton and Carly Pearce. Photo by Alexa Campbell.

The Grand Ole Opry has announced that Carly Pearce will be inducted as an official member this summer. Carly Pearce was surprised last week by Opry Member Dolly Parton with an invitation to become a member of the Grand Ole Opry family, and it was all caught on video. Opry Membership is one of the most coveted invitations in all of music, and Pearce will be officially inducted on Tuesday, August 3, 2021.

“When one of ours has a special moment, it’s an honor to be part of that,” said Dolly Parton. “Carly is a real songwriter and bright heart – and I loved getting to ask her to do something so very special.”

In the video, Carly Pearce believed she was taping a promotional video for the Dollywood theme park, where she worked and performed as a teenager. This marks the first time Dolly Parton, an Opry member since 1969, has asked someone to become a member of country music’s longest running institution.

“Dolly is not only one of America’s greatest living songwriters, vocalists, entertainers and superstars,” said Carly Pearce. “And the Opry? It’s been the greatest love of my life since I was a young girl listening with my grandparents. All of the greatest writers, legends and pioneers have been on that stage, and I feel them in my bones anytime I walk in the stage door...To actually be asked to join the Opry family, there are no words.”

Carly Pearce has performed at the Grand Ole Opry 85 times. She was a breakthrough artist with the PLATINUM-certified No. 1 “Every Little Thing,” followed by her award-winning PLATINUM No. 1 “I Hope You’re Happy Now,” and the critically acclaimed 29, featuring the Top 20-and-rising “Next Girl” released via Big Machine Records.

Watch Carly's induction ceremony August 3 at opry.com and wsmonline.com.