On July 8, we’d been asked to perform in a guest slot, as we had done many times before. Though I noticed several old and important friends milling around backstage, I still didn’t quite sense that anything different or special was about to occur. After our first song, as Joe was addressing the audience, we heard a ripple of laughter from the crowd, and turned to see ninety-year-old Opry legend “Little” Jimmy Dickens standing amongst us dressed as Golden, complete with long beard, cowboy hat and sunglasses. We still weren’t sure what was happening but, after a few jokes, he floored us by announcing that the following month we would become the newest members of the Grand Ole Opry.

The next month passed quickly and, in addition to tour dates and photo shoots and recording sessions, it was filled with many interviews to talk about the honor. When the night finally arrived, I couldn’t help but notice that I was nervous. I asked my partners about it and discovered that we each were feeling the butterflies of the moment. After all these years that’s a pretty rare occurrence; it emphasized how special this night was for us. We attended a reception, did more interviews—with our good friends, Charlie Chase and Lorianne Crook, and for several other outlets—and then, at 8:50 pm, during the Cracker Barrel portion of the show, it was time to be introduced onto the stage, by one of the grand ladies of the Opry, Jeannie Seely.

We hit the stage running and opened with “Bobbie Sue.” For some reason, the house lights were up—something else that doesn’t often happen—so, we could see the sold-out crowd, and they were all up and dancing, fueling us even more. Next, after a few words from Joe, we went straight into “Elvira,” and again, the crowd was on its feet. After “Elvira,” Pete Fisher, the Opry’s General Manager, joined us onstage and said some kind words. He, then, introduced Little Jimmy again, and, together, they made the official induction. I know my partners well enough to know that, like me, they were all trying to keep their emotions in check.

The point at which it became a losing battle was when Pete directed our attention to the huge video screen onstage, for there was “our president,” George H. W. Bush. He had taped a video message to honor our induction. Among his remarks, he said: “I cannot think of any group or any person who deserve this honor more. I think of the Opry and the Oaks, both as American icons, beloved from coast to coast and known around the world. I can’t think of a better union. I love you boys, and my best to everyone at the Grand Ole Opry, one of my favorite places in America.”