On Jan. 16, Grammy Award-winning artist Suzy Bogguss officially joined the Grand Ole Opry cast.

Inducted by her friend and fellow Opry member Reba McEntire, Bogguss became the country music institution's 235th member.

Bogguss, a country singer-songwriter, is a platinum-selling CMA Award winner and has performed on the Opry stage for more than three decades, making her debut on May 12, 1989.

She's best known for her '90s country hits, which include tunes "Outbound Plane" and "Drive South." 

Kathy Mattea, who invited Bogguss during her induction last fall, performed a three-song set to open the night. She spent the last few minutes as the newest member of the famed venue before rejoining after Bogguss’s introduction a short time later. She received a standing ovation after performing her hit, “Eighteen Wheels and a Dozen Roses.”

Next was Clark, who was recently appointed to the Order of Canada in her home country. She started her set off with “I Just Wanna Be Mad,” before performing her debut single, “Better Things To Do.” She kept the momentum rocking with her famous rendition of Linda Ronstadt’s “Poor, Poor Pitiful Me” to wrap her set.

On her Opry induction night, Bogguss sang three songs: "Someday Soon," "Aces" and "Outbound Plane," hits from her '91 album "Aces."

After her performance, Trisha Yearwood surprised the audience.

“I love this woman. It’s really an honor to be here on such a special moment," Yearwood told the crowd. "To get to be here on the night you were invited and to be here tonight is just amazing," she said.

“Suzy Bogguss is one of those artists who doesn’t just sing songs, she lives them. Her voice, her heart, her commitment to the music have inspired so many, including me.” 

Then, Reba McEntire walked out onto the Opry stage to a thunderous applause. 

Bogguss' induction coincided with McEntire's 40th Opry anniversary; she was inducted into the cast in January 1986.

“This is so special, Suzy," McEntire said.

"This family is incredible. They are loving. Everybody in this building. This stage is very important to all of us dating many, many generations back. To be able to give you this trophy is very special to me, to everyone sitting here, and to everybody in this building watching.

“Suzy Bogguss’s voice is like an angel’s voice," she continued.

"When she sings you know it. You know it when you hear it on the radio. I am so proud to give you this trophy that tells you that you are the latest member of the Grand Ole Opry. Congratulations.”

The two shared a hug before Bogguss addressed the crowd.

“This place is so special," Bogguss said. "Honestly, I have always been nervous up here. Tonight, sitting in the circle, I feel so calm. It’s like being in the eye of the hurricane or something.

"I am so proud to be a part of (the Opry). Thank you for including me in this amazing cast, and the past cast. I feel a lot of pretty special spirits in this room right now. I was lucky enough to get to be here with some of the real greats starting here in 1989 and feeling welcome from the very first time of stepping into the circle.”

Bogguss welcomed her friends Kathy Mattea and Terri Clark to the stage alongside her, McEntire and Yearwood.

Mattea invited Bogguss to join the Opry cast months earlier on Oct. 11 on the night of her own induction.

Together, the group performed her 1993 song “Hey Cinderella.”

"Hey, hey Cinderella what's the story all about I've got a funny feeling / We missed a page or two somehow," they sang. "Oh, Cinderella maybe you could help us out / Does the shoe fit you now?"

And the festivities didn’t stop there! After Suzy’s induction, Reba closed out her anniversary celebration with a set that included “I’m A Survivor,” “Happy’s Place,” and “Back To God.” To cap it all off, Reba brought Suzy, Clark, Mattea, and Yearwood back out for a spirited rendition of “Why Haven’t I Heard From You.” 

As the curtain fell, the five ended their performance with a spirited kick line and big smiles. 

It was truly a magical night to remember.

Congratulations to Suzy!

More on Suzy:

Bogguss is a living legend of country music with an impressive resume, having earned eight Top 10 hits throughout the 1990’s before exploring new music influences. You can call her a country singer, but that’s really just the beginning.

Her string of hits has stood the test of time. From Grammy Award-winning performances to platinum-selling records, she has earned her stripes as a versatile singer-songwriter, producer and road warrior along the way.

In addition to her touring gigs, Bogguss hosts Wine Down Wednesdays, a monthly livestream at 5 p.m. CST featuring singers and songwriters such as Brandy Clark, Mandy Barnett and Billy Dean. Launched in 2020, the livestreams have strengthened her bonds with both musician friends and fans. “I didn’t know how good it would be for my heart, and I didn’t predict how much it would increase the attendance at my concerts,” she comments.

Her latest album, “Prayin’ for Sunshine,” was written during the lockdown and recorded at her home. “This is the first time I’ve written my whole album,” says Bogguss. It offers a mix of Southern storytelling, gorgeous vocals and organic instrumentation that showcases her country and Americana roots. 

Bogguss loves to cook, and every year for her December birthday, she hosts a party at her home in Tennessee. These evenings feature not only big pots of soup for 70 guests, but also jam sessions among her dinner guests, including Tommy Emmanuel, Keb’ Mo’, Sam Bush, Mac Davis, Gary Nicholson, and even Reba. 

Her birthday dinners are memorialized in her recent book, “Suzy’s Soup Night,” a celebration of soups, stews, chilis and chowders that pairs recipes with photos by her husband, songwriter Doug Crider. Pre-autographed copies—an ideal Christmas gift for friends and family—are available for sale on her website.