Debuting in 1984, Kathy Mattea broke through two years later with her third studio album, Walk the Way the Wind Blows. The record spawned four Top 10 country hits, including “Love at the Five and Dime.” Forty years later, she has released 17 studio albums, four Billboard chart-topping hits, and taken over as host of Mountain Stage, NPR Music and West Virginia Public Broadcasting’s celebrated live performance radio show. Now, the 66-year-old West Virginian will join the storied ranks of the Grand Ole Opry.
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Charlie McCoy Surprises Kathy Mattea With Grand Ole Opry Invitation
Kathy Mattea was in the middle of performing her 1988 No. 1 hit “Eighteen Wheels and a Dozen Roses” on the Opry stage Saturday (Aug. 9) when fellow Mountain State musician Charlie McCoy interrupted.
“Oh, Charlie,” Mattea exclaimed in surprise when she noticed the 84-year-old multi-instrumentalist had joined her onstage.
A dozen roses in hand, McCoy switched off the “Goin’ Gone” singer’s speaker. “You just turned my speaker off,” Mattea responded incredulously.
“I’m so sorry to interrupt, but I want to ask you a question,” he said. “How would you like to be the next member of the Grand Ole Opry?”
As the crowd cheered, Mattea’s hand flew to her mouth. Embracing the older musician, she leaned into the microphone, repeating one word about half a dozen times.
“Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes,” the four-time CMA Award winner said. “And thank you. Oh, my gosh.”
Accepting the bouquet of roses, Mattea gestured to the crowd. “And thank all of you,” she said. “I just want to take this in and just remember this moment.”
[RELATED: Premiere: Kathy Mattea Felt Compelled to Record “Turn Off the News (Build a Garden)”]
A “Long-Deserved” Honor
Judging by the fan reaction, Kathy Mattea’s invitation to the church of country music was long overdue. “should’ve been a member decades ago,” one Instagram user declared.
Added another fan on YouTube, “Totally amazing and long-deserved… She is pure talent and class. God bless her!”
Scoring her first No. 1 single with 1988’s “Goin’ Gone,” Mattea embarked on a hot streak that extended into the early ’90s. She is a two-time Country Music Association Female Vocalist of the Year, and won the 1990 Grammy for Best Female Country Vocal Performance with “Where’ve You Been.”
Featured image by Stephen J. Cohen/Getty Images
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