Scotty McCreery Fights Tears As His Lifelong Dream Comes True

Scotty McCreery officially became a member of the Grand Ole Opry family Saturday night (April 20), and it was a night full of excitement and emotion.

Scotty McCreery was only 17 years old when he won the 10th season of American Idol in 2011. The teen not only won the crown but won the hearts of country music fans. He became one of the most successful Idol alumni with BMI, CMT, and ACM awards to his credit and Platinum albums.

Despite all of his success, there was one goal Scotty McCreery dreamed of — membership in the Grand Ole Opry. The “Five More Minutes” singer saw that dream come true last weekend when he was officially welcomed to the Opry family.

Garth Brooks surprised McCreery with an invitation to join the hallowed family during a surprise appearance at the Opry in December. Brooks joined Scotty on stage and handed him a gift-wrapped box with a red bow. When Scotty began to open the gift, Garth stopped him, saying:

Watch out. I got a card in there that I hand-signed myself. Don’t open it. Not till Christmas. Seriously,” Brooks said. “The gift inside isn’t here yet. Tonight is merely an invitation.”

As McCreery and the audience began to realize what was happening, the crowd cheered.

“On behalf of the Grand Ole Opry, and this is a Christmas present to the Grand Ole Opry, we would love to invite you to be the newest member of the Opry.”

Scotty was clearly surprised and responded with a resounding, “Yes! I would love to.”

“I grew up listening to your records Garth and you’re a part of what made me want to do this for a living … I didn’t think that dream would become a reality,” Scotty told Garth.

Scotty McCreery’s Opry Induction

Scotty kicked off his Idol run with a cover of Josh Turner’s “Your Man” and earned a unanimous vote through to the Hollywood round. So it was only fitting that Turner was on-hand Saturday to welcome Scotty to the Opry family.