Mark Wills’ Grand Ole Opry Support Reciprocated in Invitation
Late 90’s-early 2000’s country star Mark Wills will be the 193rd member of the Grand Ole Opry. This was the news coming out of the Opry Friday Night (12-21) when Vince Gill invited Wills to join the historic country music institution near the end of the evening’s presentation. On a night dedicated to the 60th Anniversary of guitar player Jimmy Capps—who is part of the Opry’s staff band and played his first as a teenager in 1958 with the Louvin Brothers—it was the Wills invitation that was the big news heading into the Holidays.
“This boy has been the greatest supporter and proponent of what the Opry stands for,” Gill said as Mark Wills was crying after the invitation. “Now I like him even more. He’s a crybaby like me!”
Mark Wills’ Top 40 career spanned about seven years between 1996 and 2003 when he scored two #1 hits, six Top 5 hits, and a platinum record with his 1998 album Wish You Were Here, anchored by his first #1 single of the same name. His second #1 was the well-known “19 Something,” which appeared on his Greatest Hits package released in 2002. “19 Something” has gone on to become his signature song, but before the hit, Mark Wills was mostly known as more of a soft country artist, specializing in ballads. When his singles began to struggle, he was dropped by his label Mercury Nashville in 2004. His last release was 2011’s Looking For America.
On paper, Mark Wills seems like a strange pick, but as Vince Gill said, “…supporter and proponent of the Opry” is the likely reason for the invitation. Mark Wills is not someone who you would consider as a flashy name from the crop of current stars known well to many current mainstream country fans, nor is he a performer whose legacy looms large among country music traditionalists and older listeners. However when it comes to non Opry members making regular appearances on the legendary show, nobody has made more of them in recent years than Mark Wills.
In 2016, Wills made 17 appearances on the Grand Ole Opry, which tied him for 3rd among non Opry members. In 2017, he made 27 appearances—the most of any non Opry member, and many more than most performers who are officially members of the institution (numbers via Fayfare’s Opry Blog). Wills has also made many regular appearances in 2018, and will probably once again lead the pack of non member performers. He will be officially inducted into the Opry on January 11th, 2019.
Over the last few years, one of the concerns for many of the Grand Ole Opry faithful is the lack of appearances by members. Performers who choose to accept an Opry invitation are expected to perform around 10 times each year to fulfill their Opry obligations. With touring schedules and personal commitments, the Opry doesn’t enforce hard and fast rules on performances, however they do hope that when a performer accepts the invitation, they pledge their support. Clearly over the last few years, Mark Wills has been showing dedication to the institution as many of its members continue to shirk their duties, and the Opry has decided to reciprocate that loyalty to Wills.
Mark Wills is not an exciting pick, and will not resonate beyond his fan base. But he is a smarter pick than the institution’s last invitee, Dustin Lynch, and someone who has earned it by appearing regularly on the show.
Ronald
December 24, 2018 @ 9:22 am
The Opry should tell mainstream radio where to stick it and invite Aaron Watson. Aaron Watson is everything good about country music and in his song Fence Post even says he loves the Opry. His music is such a great example of what modern country should be. Saying that I am happy for Mark Wills and it is a well deserved honor.
albert
December 24, 2018 @ 1:38 pm
You know Ronald …this is actually a terrific idea . If the Opry was committed to preserving tradition and the roots of country in terms of songwriting , virtuoso instrumentalists and singers who’s performances ALWAYS resonate for the RIGHT reasons THIS is the perfect way to show it . Lord knows there is no shortage of authentic and dedicated COUNTRY writers and singers out there-veterans and newbies – who don’t get the time of day and would be the fair and RIGHT way to tell radio , labels and psuedo-country fans that the OPRY stands for and stands by COUNTRY music .
Joe
December 26, 2018 @ 7:58 pm
I understand the sentiment, but the Opry needs those stars even if they only appear 2-3 times a year instead of the 10. However, because of those members, they need other members to step up and appear much more than the 10 and as has been noted before, the members currently carrying most of that load are really getting up there in age. That is why Mark is such a smart pick as someone who is young enough to appeal to mainstream fans yet veteran enough to be in a position to play the Opry more. Lower Broadway is full of 90s country and I think that is a spot the Opry should continue to look for their “new veterans” that will carry the load for the next generation. Of course they shouldn’t exclusively look there (or in any portion of country) and I feel they’ve done a good job of that lately with a variety of artists invited.
Cobra
December 24, 2018 @ 9:22 am
Wills is an artist I often forget how much I like. Like you said, there are probably more exciting picks and even better picks, but it seems clear that he appreciates the meaning of being a member and will be one who does the membership honor. I like this pick and am happy for Wills.
Jeff Tappan
December 24, 2018 @ 10:48 am
Maybe I’m wrong, but didn’t I see him in the clip of the 1999 CMA show? I mean the one of Alan Jackson flipping the bird to the CMA over them blowing off Deacon George.
AT
December 24, 2018 @ 2:22 pm
Yes, when they cut to the audience giving Alan a standing ovation, Mark is prominently featured. There’s also a video produced for the CMAs were Mark talks about the impact of that performance.
Tyler Dunn
December 24, 2018 @ 10:52 am
I grew up with my dad playing Mark Wills consistently and hearing songs like “Jacobs Ladder” bring back memories. He hasn`t had a consistent output lately, but he hasn`t gone off the deep end to produce some absolute crap either. I am happy for Mark Wills for receiving some recognition when it seemed like his career was on its last leg. Opry membership may not mean what it used to, but it is still a big deal and it seems like some sort of validation for a career that may not have been filled with trophy cases filled with awards, but one of hard work and dedication
OlaR
December 24, 2018 @ 12:51 pm
Good choice. Solid performer & the members/hosts (like Bill Anderson) are not getting younger.
Music Jedi
December 24, 2018 @ 12:55 pm
Very glad to see Mark asked to join and I’d say particularly nice to be asked by Vince Gill. He is one of those ’90s artists we tend to forget about until you hear “19 Something” which he said recently on the Terri Clark podcast (Country Gold Backstage) was pitched to him one day and they were in the studio the NEXT DAY to record it. He knew immediately that it was a hit.
Steve Prentice
December 24, 2018 @ 1:56 pm
Would love to see a resource list of authentic country music producers, and publishers of lyrics. Create an open page for untried talent to offer up some down home, next to the soul, tear shedding materials. The industry tries to dictate and loses itself to fads.
King Honky Of Crackershire
December 24, 2018 @ 3:34 pm
Other than “Jacob’s Ladder”, his singles all sucked.
He was murdering C(c)ountry Music a dozen years before this site was created.
Sara Ross
December 24, 2018 @ 9:07 pm
It’s about time people who sang country music when it was genuine and not country pop, got the recognition they have been denied. I still don’t understand how Carrie got invited before Charlie Daniels and the Oak Ridge Boys. Congratulations Mark – more than well deserved.
Luckyoldsun
December 24, 2018 @ 9:32 pm
Who knows or cares who is or isn’t an Opry member?
I get the sense that nowadays, the chief determinant is whether or not the artist wants to be a member.
These artists (among others) are members: Trace Adkins, Terry Clark, Joe Diffie, Diamond Rio, Chris Janson, Dustin Lynch.
There artists (among others) are not members: Alabama, John Anderson, Moe Bandy, Mark Chesnutt, Radney Foster, Mickey Gilley, Lee Greenwood.
I defy anyone to come up with any plausible basis for predicting who would be a member and who would not.
Music Jedi
December 25, 2018 @ 7:30 am
It simply comes down to: “who can make a commitment AND have a willingness to make significant sacrifices to uphold that commitment.” That’s from the Opry’s Website. So guys like Mickey Gilley and probably Alabama can’t commit to playing there as many times a year as is required. They must appear consistently so that keeps some out that we would expect to see in.
Luckyoldsun
December 26, 2018 @ 1:43 am
Did Garth make a commitment to play the Opry? Did Clint? (He was real big back when he was “inducted.”) I wouldn’t put much stock in the “rules” posted on the website. Maybe that’s a starting point
Greg
December 26, 2018 @ 7:49 am
I saw Mark @ the Opry a few years ago,when Little Jimmy Dickens was still with us.He sang “Jacobs Ladder” for Little Jimmy,because that was a favorite of his.Great song.
There are a lot of other people who have paid their dues and should be Opry members.Like Rhonda Vincent.She has been appearing on the Opry since the mid 90’s,and still appears on the Opry off and on to this day.So,it’s hard to understand why she’s not already a member.Still,though,at least Mark has shown he loves and appricates the Grand Ole Opry,so,IMO,better he becomes a Opry member than one of the people being heard on many of the so called Country radio stations out there today.It could be worse.
Congrats to Mark on his Opry induction.
hoptowntiger94
December 26, 2018 @ 11:01 am
Was he the one busted for soliciting sex in a male restroom?
Brian
December 26, 2018 @ 12:46 pm
That was Ty Herndon.
Luckyoldsun
December 26, 2018 @ 5:13 pm
@hoptown: You’re full of crap. If you genuinely “wanted to know” that, you would just Google it. You’re just trying to insinuate that the guy is gay for some malicious reason or just for amusement.
hoptowntiger94
December 26, 2018 @ 10:24 pm
Genuinely, that was my first reaction!
I did google “country singer soliciting sex” and the first four articles are about a country singer soliciting sex from a minor, Daniel Lee Martin (never heard of him). Then an article about country music singers’ mugshots. Then an article about Ty Herndon coming out.
Because it happened so long ago and almost before the internet, there isn’t an easy google.
hoptwowntiger94
December 27, 2018 @ 1:58 am
And Ty Herdon has a song “Heather’s Wall;” Mark Willis has a song, “Jacob’s Ladder.” And they both look and sound a lot a like.
Brian
December 26, 2018 @ 12:57 pm
I actually think people like Mark Wills are kind of the bread and butter of the Opry. Regardless of what people think about memberships, the Opry is a huge draw in Nashville and people consistently go. What people like the most are seeing some people that they know a few songs and can have fun. A guy like Mark Wills fits this perfectly, he will shop up a bunch, has songs that people can sing along to and will probably transition to one of those people who are hosting nights eventually. People like John Conlee have been vital to the Opry. I don’t think Mark is John Conlee by any means, but now being a member he could become one of this people who shows up 30-40 nights a year and that is important. I do think the Opry should address its membership situation, it makes things look worse now why certain artists aren’t in, maybe they should designate those who don’t do their duties as honorary members and not actual members.
Mike Honcho
December 27, 2018 @ 6:26 pm
I cant stand the guy for making that pandering piece of shit ‘Don’t laugh at me’. Courageous.