Christian Singer Celebrates Grand Ole Opry Induction With Special Song
Movieguide® Contributor
Steven Curtis Chapman was over the moon when he was asked to be a member of the Grand Ole Opry and even wrote a new song just for his induction ceremony.
“Multi-Grammy and GMA Dove Award winning Steven Curtis Chapman was officially welcomed into the Grand Ole Opry family tonight by Opry members Lady A,” The Christian Beat reported Nov. 5. “In addition to Lady A, Chapman personally requested these artists be a part of his special night: Opry members Ricky Skaggs — who invited Chapman to become an Opry member this summer — and Carly Pearce, plus Russell Dickerson and rock band Colony House, which featured two of Chapman’s sons, front man Caleb Chapman and drummer Will Franklin Chapman. For the special occasion, Chapman wore a custom suit designed by Manuel Cuevas’ son Manny Jr.”
Chapman performed a new song he wrote just for the ceremony, called “Grand Ole Opry Stage.” He followed it with the Carter Family’s 1964 hit, “Will the Circle Be Unbroken.”
“The song ends with the lyrics, ‘We’ve all been invited to the unbroken circle of the Grand Ole Opry stage,’ and I’ll go into ‘Will the Circle Be Unbroken,’ and my family and Ricky Skaggs and any artists that are there that will join me and finish out my induction by singing that song,” Chapman told Billboard earlier this month. “Of course, I’ll be a blubbering mess by the end of it, just taking it all in.”
Christian artist Steven Curtis Chapman got invited to be a member of The Grand Ole Opry last week — a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity…
READ MORE: YOU WON’T GUESS WHO THE GRAND OLE OPRY JUST INDUCTED
“More than we can ask or imagine, God has promised,” Chapman said on the stage. “I know it doesn’t always look like this moment, but I do believe God has so much more for us. And sometimes we get to see it in very tangible and real ways. Like standing in this circle on stage tonight. As I look down, there is an actual light that glows all the way around it. A full circle, an unbroken circle. God is in front and back and side to side, he has us surrounded.”
For his first performance of the night, Chapman started with “Cinderella.” He followed it with “He Stopped Loving Her Today” and a story about how he forgot the words to that song when he was a teenager singing at Opryland Theme Park. Then, his father and brother joined him to perform “My Redeemer Is Faithful and True,” which fulfilled Chapman’s father’s dream to sing on the Ole Opry stage.
“Chapman and the Opry kicked off National Adoption Month today by donating $5 from each ticket sold to benefit Show Hope, the nonprofit organization founded by Steven Curtis Chapman and his wife, Mary Beth, that provides ongoing care and support to children who have been orphaned and families impacted by adoption and foster care,” TCB said.
Skaggs completely astonished the singer when he announced on stage one night that Chapman would be the next Grand Ole Opry member.
Chapman keeled over in amazement. “Are you kidding me?” he said. “If you ever wonder if this is a surprise, yes, I promise you this is a massive surprise.”
The Grand Ole Opry shared a video of Chapman screwing his nameplate into the member wall.
“Look at that!” Chapman said when he was done, touching his nameplate and smiling proudly.
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