During her Grand Ole Opry performance on Tuesday night (11/15), Crystal Gayle was surprised by Carrie Underwood with an invitation to become an official Opry member. Underwood surprised the sold-out crowd at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium by joining Gayle on her hit “Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue.” Moments after they finished the duet, Carrie turned to Crystal and said, “You are an inspiration to so many of us. You are important to country music, and you are important to the Opry, which is why I was asked tonight to ask you if you would like to join our Opry family officially.” Gayle then accepted the invitation with a hug and said “I have always felt like I was a member of the family and this is just so special.”

·         Gayle will be formally inducted into the Opry on January 21, 2017 by her sister, country legend Loretta Lynn.

·         Gayle made her Opry debut nearly 50 years ago on the Ryman stage, singing the classic “Ribbon of Darkness” at the age of 16.