Lainey Wilson inducted into the legendary Grand Ole Opry by Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood

As of last Friday night, Lainey Wilson is officially a member of the Grand Ole Opry and said that the honor only “lights another fire” to keep her working even harder.

Listen to Lainey Wilson’s Bell Bottom Country and more on the free Audacy app

Lainey Wilson ’s biggest dream has finally come true- with the help of country icons no less! Following the announcement made by Reba McEntire on TV show The Voice , the up-and-comer turned powerhouse artist has been inducted into the Grand Ole Opry by Trisha Yearwood and Garth Brooks .

“We are honored to be here tonight,” Yearwood began, with a nervous Lainey standing by in her classic brim hat. “And I may be a little bit biased, but there can never be too many women at the Grand Ole Opry. I have had the chance to know you Lainey just a little bit and what I know, and the biggest compliment I think I can pay you, is that ‘you get it.’ You know what it means to love country music.”

“When I think about the future of country music, I know with you in it, we are going to be ok,” Yearwood said, with the crowd cheering in agreement.

Garth Brooks, another fellow Opry member, was also visibly proud to help induct the 32-year-old Lainey. “I would say I’m so happy for you, but I’m so dang happy for the Grand Ole Opry. I really am,” Brooks said, practically beaming. Giving Lainey some advice about her future, he continued, “The awards they give you now and you continue to receive will fade in time. The one thing that will continue is this family right here. Welcome to it.”

And for the country world- the Grand Ole Opry is even more than just a family of legendary artists. As the world’s longest running radio show, the Opry stage is known as the very heart of country music itself. What started out as a ‘barn dance’ turned into a performing epicenter that pulled in the likes of Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton, Elvis Presley and more. It is a cultural symbol of the past, present, and future of country music- and all the very best of the artform.

Thus, Lainey Wilson is a great inductee. From her ‘Making Country Cool Again’ movement to settling records just as she got on the scene, Lainer has been a force of retro-modernism in the country industry. Her classic twang voice brings listeners back to the old days of country, but her songwriting is clearly focused on the tougher conversations of the present. “Of course, there’s nothing wrong with a beer-drinking song,” she once told Billboard , “but even with that, I think you can dive a little deeper and get people to think a little bit.”

Lainey clearly knew the significance of the Opry tradition, saying in part, “Tonight, it honestly feels like the biggest night of my life. We’ve had a crazy couple of years with all the awards, but this right here is the highest honor. It feels like the stamp of approval. It lights another fire under my butt.”

“As a little girl, I didn’t dream about my wedding day,” she said in her speech. “I didn’t dream about what song I’d play at my wedding, I dreamed about this right here. I dreamed about what song I would play in the circle if I got the opportunity.”

And that she did! In addition to receiving membership, Lainey performed a total of seven songs that night, including duets with artists Terri Clark and Wynonna . Be sure to check out her performance of song “Things a Man Oughta Know” at the fan video link above, and check out Lainey Wilson’s Bell Bottom Country anytime on the free Audacy app. Congratulations Lainey!