Craig Morgan Is the Opry's Newest Member

In front of family, friends and fans, Craig Morgan of BNA Records was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry Saturday, Oct. 25. He was inducted by Opry member John Conlee who said, “I had the great pleasure of being the Opry member to first bring him on this stage the first time he guested on the Grand Ole Opry, and what an honor that was. As we’ve become friends, it was plain to me that no one loves the Grand Ole Opry more than this young man right here. He loves it as much as he loves his country, and he’s proven that with his service to his country before. I’m proud to call you friend, and I’m proud to call you brother Grand Ole Opry member, Craig Morgan. Welcome to the family, sir.”Morgan accepted the honor by saying, “Thank you so much. I didn’t prepare a speech because I knew I would probably mess it up  I am extremely honored and grateful to the Grand Ole Opry. I am proud to be  apart of it, and I hope I can uphold its standards.”Opry Vice President and General Manager Pete Fisher said, “If you love Country Music, you have to love Craig Morgan. Everything about Craig speaks quality, from the way he writes and sings his songs to the way he lives his life.” Fisher continued, “The Grand Ole Opry is proud to welcome such a fine man to our esteemed membership roster.” Having made his debut at the Grand Ole Opry on April 21, 2000, Morgan was excited to receive his invitation to become a member on Sept. 18 during a concert for U.S. troups at Fort Bragg in Fayetteville, N.C. From 1990 to 1992, Morgan had been stationed at Ft. Bragg, so the invitation was very special and meaningful to him.Morgan is a Nashville resident who developed his esteem on the radio by receiving a great amount of airplay. Some of his hits include: “Almost Home,” “Redneck Yacht Club,” "That's What I Love About Sundays" and “International Harvester,” Billboard’s 2005 Most Played Country Song.Morgan has performed 103 times at the Grand Ole Opry and plays more than 200 sold-out concerts each year. He spent 10 years in the U.S. Army on active duty before his music career took flight. In 2006, he received the USO Merit Award for his support of U.S. soldiers and their families.Morgan’s induction into the Opry aired live on GAC's Opry Live. Morgan received a replica of the Opry’s vintage microphone stand for his induction which is covered in 14-in bronze and oak wood.Visit www.youtube.com/OpryLive to see Morgan’s induction and his live performance of his new single, “Love Remembers.”