Craig Morgan: From the Army to the Opry

Craig Morgan photo courtesy of SonyBMG Nashville.

September 18, 2008 — Craig Morgan played a homecoming concert in North Carolina Thursday night that led to him forming a permanent home at Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry. Craig performed for U.S. troops at Fort Bragg in Fayetteville, where he was stationed for two years in the 1990s, and was surprised with an invite to join the Opry in the middle of his performance.

Craig was singing John Conlee’s 30-year-old classic "Rose Colored Glasses" when John walked on stage to extend the formal invitation. Craig didn’t hesitate to say yes.

"I do love the Opry," he said. "And I gotta tell you, it’s cool to be invited right here."

"This was the perfect time and place to invite Craig to become the Opry’s newest member," Pete Fisher, Opry vice president and general manager, said. "Craig consistently displays such a high degree of quality and integrity in all he does, from serving our country, to making great country music, to his frequent performances at the Grand Ole Opry. Whether at a military installation or on the Opry stage, audiences admire his character and love his music."

Craig’s induction takes place Oct. 25, four days after the release of his next studio album, That’s Why. That’s not the only CD on the docket for Craig, though: A greatest-hits pro ject is also slated for release Sept. 30.

The hits compilation coincides with Marty Stuart’s 50th birthday, and Marty plans a big to-do at the Opry on Sept. 27 to celebrate. He’ll occupy the entire hour on GAC’s Opry Live that night, with his band the Fabulous Superlatives, plus guests Keith Urban, Connie Smith and the string band Carolina Chocolate Drops.

Craig’s induction will cap a heavy lineup of star acts in October during the annual Opry Month celebration. The performance roster includes Eric Church, Sara Evans, Josh Turner, Wynonna, Jimmy Wayne, the Charlie Daniels Band, the Del McCoury Band, Lorrie Morgan, Kenny Rogers, Lady Antebellum, Montgomery Gentry, Kellie Pickler, Tracy Lawrence and Chuck Wicks.

This weekend’s edition of Opry Live — beginning Saturday at 9 p.m. ET on GAC — features Alan Jackson, Little Big Town, Darius Rucker and Kathy Mattea.