Mel Tillis on the red carpet on November 6, 2006, for "The 40th Annual CMA Awards" in Nashville.
Photo courtesy of the Country Music Association
May 14, 2007 — Country legend Mel Tillis was surprised Saturday night on the stage of the Grand Ole Opry with news that he would be inducted as a member of the long-running show on June 9, The Tennessean reports.
"When you look back at Mel Tillis' career, it is really incredible what he has accomplished," said Pete Fisher, Opry vice president/general manager. "We feel he is very deserving of Opry membership."
Mel will be the second member of the Tillis family to be an Opry member; his daughter, Pam, became a member in 2000. "Mel has expressed an interest in becoming an Opry member for the last few years, especially around the time when we welcomed Pam into the family," Fisher said.
Now that Mel no longer performs regularly in Branson, Mo., he is able to appear frequently at the Opry, which is one of the requirements for membership. Indeed, he has appeared on the Opry 11 times this year. "We have always known that he had a real special connection for the Opry," Fisher said. "We are really happy that we're going to bring him into the family."
Fisher told Pam in advance so that she could be there for Saturday's announcement. "I mentioned to Pam that we were going to invite him, and she got a big smile on her face," he said. "She has known for a long time how really special Opry membership would be to her father. I think probably when she became a member a few years back, there was a little awkward feeling that she was going in before her dad, but it's all good."
"There are many examples of where legends have joined the Opry later in their career," Fisher said. Charley Pride joined in 1993, and Ralph Stanley became a member in 2000.