T. Graham Brown inducted as latest member of the Grand Ole Opry
Two months after being invited by Vince Gill, on May 3, 2024, T. Graham Brown officially became the 228th cast member of the Grand Ole Opry.
The bluesy, soulful veteran country performer had already become a favorite Opryland Drive favorite with more than 300 appearances since his 1986 debut.
The Georgia native's late 1980s mainstream country hits include "I Tell It Like It Used To Be," "Hell And High Water," "I Wish That I Could Hurt That Way Again," "Don't Go To Strangers," "Darlene" and the 1990s-era Tanya Tucker duet "Don't Go Out."
He's also a 1993 Country Music Association award-winner for George Jones' 1993 hit "I Don't Need Your Rockin' Chair," alongside Gill, Mark Chesnutt, Garth Brooks, Travis Tritt, Joe Diffie, Alan Jackson, Pam Tillis, Patty Loveless, and Clint Black.
Brown's journey to maintaining sobriety in recent decades has involved a deeper religiosity and genuine joy in being welcomed, more deeply, into the Opry as a community of artists whose love of country music's fundamental connection to faith and family is part of why they become members of the cast.
Thus, he was joined onstage by Opry members Gill, John Conlee, The Isaacs, Don Schlitz, Jeannie Seely, and Mark Wills, who all wanted to be part of the induction.
"As great as this night is for you, you have to know it is equally as great to us," said Gill. "I brought all the other members out to the stage to be a part of this for you tonight because you are now a part of our family. And the family that goes on here is way deeper than any hit song you'll ever have. Congratulations and welcome."
"T. Graham Brown feels like family every single time he walks through the backstage doors of the Grand Ole Opry House and adds a special spirit and a great performance to every Opry show he's part of," said Dan Rogers, Opry senior vice president and executive producer.
"Hallelujah! I'm going to try not to cry," Brown said before thanking God, the fans, the Opry staff, his wife Sheila and his son Acme, who played drums in the band during his performance.
Regarding his ability to succeed as an artist in both the country and Christian realms, during his performance, Brown performed hits including "I Tell It Like It Used To Be" and "Darlene." He also earned a standing ovation alongside Country Music Hall of Famer and Statler Brothers member Jimmy Fortune, who joined him on "Wine Into Water."
In particular, "Wine Into Water" has been recorded by over 100 artists, including Loretta Lynn on her critically acclaimed project, Full Circle.
Brown's voice isn't just familiar to Christian and country music.
While achieving acclaim in Music City, the University of Georgia graduate was a pitchman and vocalist for Taco Bell's "Run For The Border" TV campaign for over four years in the 1990s. His work with McDonald's, Burger King, Hardee's, Coca-Cola, Dr. Pepper, 7-Up, Almond Joy, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Ford, Dodge and Harrah's Casinos supported his initial Nashville rise.
"I'm so proud of the Opry. I'm just so proud to be there every time. I've never taken it for granted. It's just amazing," added Brown.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: T. Graham Brown inducted as latest member of the Grand Ole Opry
