On Chris Janson Being Invited to Join the Grand Ole Opry
Of course there are bigger names. Of course there are better names. Of course traditionalists won’t be happy, and neither will the respective fan bases of certain artist who will feel passed over once again. Obviously Chris Janson will be a polarizing pick, because he’s a polarizing artist. In one moment he’s writing “Truck Yeah” and singing “Fix A Drink,” and in another he’s singing songs of much greater depth like “Holdin’ Her” and “Drunk Girl.” I don’t know if it’s fair to call Janson an enigma, because that would probably assign a bit more gravitas to him than he might posses. But he’s certainly a slippery one, and prone to cause mood swings in his audience depending on what song he’s signing at a given time.
But what Chris Janson has proven beyond a shadow of a doubt over the last few years—and the reason he makes a fine pick for the next inductee to the Grand Ole Opry—is a deep commitment to the Opry as the historic and important institution to country music that it is, as well as a reverence for the Opry stage by regularly taking time in his performance slots to sing classic country songs, which the Opry stage is meant for.
Is this an ideal pick? Of course not. Do fans of artists as far ranging as Miranda Lambert to Gene Watson have a reason to feel slighted once again? You betcha. But the biggest complaint about many recent Opry picks such as Darius Rucker, Little Big Town, Rascal Flatts, and other more contemporary stars is that they just don’t care enough about the honor and opportunity to fulfill their performance obligations to the institution. Meanwhile you have non-Opry members, like Chris Janson, playing the Opry stage on a regular basis for little pay because they respect the institution, and revel in the opportunity.
In 2015, Chris Janson led all non-Opry members in performances with a total of 26. In 2016, Janson was tied for 3rd for most non-member Opry performances with 17. In 2017, he once again came in 3rd with 21 performances (source: Fafare’s Opry Blog). Compare these performing commitments with many other official Opry members, and Janson laps them, including Keith Urban, who did the honor of inviting Janson on Monday (2-5) night. Urban only appeared on the Opry four times in 2017. The Opry sets the mark at 10 performances per years for members to honor their commitments.
Under the leadership of new Grand Ole Opry General Manager Sally Williams, the show has shown a renewed commitment to the roots of country, and the stars who show reverence toward it by giving membership invitations to Crystal Gayle, and Dailey & Vincent. At the same time, the Opry needs to stay fresh and relevant if it is to survive the current era in music where mega tours—not radio shows—are how country stars get by in the world. Chris Janson is a pragmatic pick that can appeal to younger audiences, yet still honor the importance of the Opry stage as a mostly traditional country forum.
But most importantly, Chis Janson has proven that he cares, because you don’t play the Opry for the money. And as soon as the Opry membership is refreshed with names of artists who show passion for the Opry, then perhaps a renewed passion for the Opry itself will also appear in fans and other artists.
wayne
February 6, 2018 @ 1:36 pm
I am surprised Urban had the time to invite him. Would have rather seen Marty Stuart invite Gene Watson, but Kudos to Janson for showing commitment.
Sereng3ti
February 6, 2018 @ 2:49 pm
Why isn’t Elizabeth Cook in yet?
jessie with the long hair
February 6, 2018 @ 7:08 pm
Because she’s a disc jockey that makes albums no one hears. Hell, let’s put Mojo Nixon and Shooter Jennings in there too.
Hillbilly
February 6, 2018 @ 8:30 pm
She’s a good DJ and has a sweet voice but her music doesn’t do anything for me.
jessie with the long hair
February 6, 2018 @ 8:36 pm
A better question would be “Why isn’t Jim Lauderdale in the Grand Ole Opry yet?”
Isaac
February 11, 2018 @ 2:26 pm
THIS
Ralph
February 13, 2018 @ 3:15 pm
Elizabeth used to make much more frequent Opry appearances because she used to date Pete Fisher. The relationship ended, and so did Elizabeth’s appearances for quite a while. She still appears occasionally now, likely due to her popular radio show.
Elizabeth Cook
February 18, 2018 @ 10:25 pm
#fakenews #1000%madeup #andhurtful
Joe
February 6, 2018 @ 3:01 pm
Couldn’t have said it better. If Miranda or anyone else wants in the Opry, they should start by playing it more than once or twice a year. If anything, I think this sets the standard that a whole lot of artists can be members if they really want to. It’s a matter of which artists want it.
Lord Honky Of Crackersley
February 6, 2018 @ 3:38 pm
Similar to the Hall Of Fame, The Opry has rendered itself illegitimate.
Similar to the Royal Family, it also no longer serves a purpose.
Lil Dale savin country music hall of fame membre class of 2015
February 6, 2018 @ 4:14 pm
cris jensen is a grate choise to the opry hes sound is a lil new a lil old and I think hes tryin reel hard so at leest hes out there tryin bet the haff of yalls bands dont sound as good as he dose
amd trigg r u gonna get a round addrressin mayer barrys sex skandall here in nashville Im wurryed its gunna have a bad affect on cuntry music and the city thoss r not the ecsampalls we need to set for the yung peeple
Steve
February 7, 2018 @ 9:35 am
Don’t drink and type.
Mike W.
February 6, 2018 @ 5:59 pm
I have no problem with the choice for the reason Trigger laid out, as well as the fact that a few of the YouTube performances of Janson at the Opry that I have seen have indicated that yes, the man does have talent and can perform songs that are not absolute drek, when he wants to/is given the chance.
Marie
February 6, 2018 @ 6:18 pm
Chris Janson deserved it. Very talented , good songwriter ,and a very nice guy. That Take a Drunk Girl Home is a great song with a good message. He performs at the Opry all time. The only fans that I saw complaining on twitter were Miranda Lambert fans. Which is just typical. Miranda doesn’t even bother to perform at the Opry so what do they expect.
albert
February 6, 2018 @ 6:29 pm
Can we get a Kickstart fund going for a spellcheck app for L’il Dale ?
Lone Wolf
February 6, 2018 @ 7:07 pm
Trigger, does the Grand Ole Opry give these artists enough notice allowing them to get away from their recording and touring schedules and play the GOO? I’m under the impression artists who are invited but don’t play there enough either can’t because of prior commitments. Or maybe they just aren’t interested. I’m asking because I don’t know how the GOO regulates their performers.
Trigger
February 6, 2018 @ 9:26 pm
If Carrie Underwood can honor her commitments, everyone else can. If they can’t, don’t accept the invitation.
One of the important things about the Chris Janson invitation is it sets a precedent that commitment to the Opry will be rewarded. It’s a start.
hoptowntiger94
February 6, 2018 @ 7:10 pm
Never heard of her
hoptowntiger94
February 7, 2018 @ 11:15 am
Was he the third wheel in Lady Antebellum?
Biscuit
February 6, 2018 @ 7:29 pm
Is Jim Lauderdale a member? If not, he should be, he seems to be on there a lot and is a good PR rep for the Opry. I was surprised Jim and Elizabeth Cook’s numbers for non member appearances weren’t higher in the linked article.
So if I get this right, a non member could play hundreds of shows and not receive membership (so what’s the motivation to show up) and higher profile members won’t lose membership if they don’t play (so what’s the motivation to show up). It seems there ian’t a lot of incentive on either end of that equation to show up.
Trigger
February 6, 2018 @ 9:24 pm
Jim Lauderdale is not a member. A few years back Elizabeth Cook was the Opry’s go to fill in artist. She hasn’t played as much in the last few years.
Leroy
February 6, 2018 @ 8:48 pm
Wrong as usual.
Leroy
February 6, 2018 @ 8:50 pm
That was supposed to go under someone else’s comment. But I’ll just leave it.
sbach66
February 6, 2018 @ 8:52 pm
I don’t know about the ins and outs of playing the Opry, but it seems to me that if the powers that be would revoke the membership of some high profile names for not honoring their commitment, you might see a sea change.
Isaac
February 11, 2018 @ 2:29 pm
SHOULD happen, never GONNA happen.
Ken Morton Jr
February 6, 2018 @ 9:10 pm
The video of him being inducted is worth the watch. The surprise genuinely rocked his world and brought out a sea of emotion: https://youtu.be/WWgQ1y7lJgA
Sarah
February 6, 2018 @ 9:49 pm
Not knocking Chris Jansen but once again pointing out that no solo contemporary female has been inducted since Carrie in 2008! Little Big Town & Crystal Gayle are the only others in the time frame. Leeanne Womack, Kellie Pickler, Musgraves, Miranda, Ashley Monroe, Brandy Clark, etc. would be great, Sunny Sweeney has performed more than 50+ times but they must not have right label connections.
Yes people complain b/c it’s embarrassing that the Opry seems to be just as bad as country radio.
Amanda
February 12, 2018 @ 2:49 pm
Damn time for Ashley Monroe to get inducted into the Opry. Kacey Musgraves and Miranda Lambert would be great choices too.
Dan Morris
February 7, 2018 @ 1:46 am
Screw the Grand Ole Opry! Until the powers that be do the right and proper thing and show Hank Williams the respect he deserves by reinstating him as a member I, for one, will never attend or even listen to one of their shows. The man was the epitome of country music and a real ‘man of the people’, the common folk who were the Oprys’ most ardent supporters. I had hopes that, just maybe, he would be reinstated on the 65th anniversary of his death last month but was disappointed once again.
Joe
February 7, 2018 @ 7:49 am
People like Dan Morris is why the Opry will no longer enforce the appearance requirements on artists like Alan Jackson, Garth Brooks, Reba, and countless others that are members in name only. Membership should not be taken purely as a gift.
CT
February 7, 2018 @ 7:30 pm
yes. I like classic country music. I don’t like rap music. It’s not my cup of tea. A few days ago, I came across this song by Blake Shelton with the lyrics “chew tobacco chew tobacco chew tobacco. spit. Terrible lyrics and terrible music if you want to call “country rap”, “music”.:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tEQC2y-Rtgk
They need to be shown what real country music is, and is about. Here’s a real classic country song (with good lyrics) that was a hit and on the Billboard chart (s) years before rock and roll even existed. Now, THIS IS REAL COUNTRY MUSIC:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PwfZpTthwQM
OlaR
February 7, 2018 @ 3:07 am
Not a fan of his music. But he is committed & cares about the Opry.
Charlie
February 7, 2018 @ 7:46 am
Great choice. He’s paid his dues, he deserves it.
‘ . . .as soon as the Opry membership is refreshed with names of artists who show passion for the Opry, then perhaps a renewed passion for the Opry itself will also appear . . .’
True dat!
‘Under the leadership of new Grand Ole Opry General Manager Sally Williams . . ‘
What is the turnover rate for this position over the last 20-30 years? Their membership choices seem to be skewed by whichever way the wind is blowing down Broadway. The opry was about stability for so many years. it’s unfortunate to lose that.
Isaac
February 11, 2018 @ 2:46 pm
Williams had been running the Ryman since 2008 or so, so she was already within the company and understood the Opry’s business for a decade before getting the job. Before her was Pete Fisher, who pushed a lot of older stars OUT of the Opry and off its membership roster, and he had the job for nearly 20 years.
Greg
February 7, 2018 @ 12:03 pm
Still don’t understand why they don’t make Rhonda Vincent an Opry member.Sally Williams,are you reading this?
jessie with the long hair
February 11, 2018 @ 2:32 pm
Sally Williams doesn’t know shit about country music and is too busy being impressed with herself that she gets to hang around stars and feel important. If you ever had a conversation with her, you would walk away wondering how the hell someone like that gets a gig like this.
Isaac
February 11, 2018 @ 2:47 pm
She’s been running the Ryman for a decade or so, so as a longtime attendee of Ryman shows, she seems to know what she’s doing.
Dave
February 7, 2018 @ 8:18 pm
Good grief! If you don’t take Carrie, then you have to take Elizabeth. That’s all there is to it.
Leroy
February 7, 2018 @ 9:23 pm
I worship the Grand Ole Opry. I kiss it’s feet. Crawl on my hands and knees to get there. It’s the only place that makes me shine my shoes and change my shirt and sit up straight and listen. It’s a reverential venue, it should never be disrespected, it’s just plain bad energy pointed in the wrong direction. No wonder Chris Janson was overwhelmed from his induction.
Leroy
February 7, 2018 @ 10:11 pm
BTW, Truck Yeah and Fix A Drink are great songs. If you don’t have a love affair with your truck you’ll never get your high caliber girlfriend. Without it, I wouldn’t be married to the woman of my dreams. It shows a man’s character. Separates you from the drug dealers. Ford is better than Dodge. And Fix A Drink is how we turn this mess into good times and memories with friends. So give your trashing these good songs a break!
Isaac
February 11, 2018 @ 2:48 pm
I don’t agree with anything you said, but I admire your gusto!
Tina Richards
February 9, 2018 @ 8:39 am
Chris Janson is an amazingly talented singer, songwriter and he can play just about any instrument out there! He is truly the embodiment of country music! His dedication to the Opry is Bar none! He has been working and playing in Nashville for 13 years. He went from sleeping in his car behind a bar to a sold out show at the Ryman Auditorium. He is very deserving of this honor !
Isaac
February 11, 2018 @ 2:51 pm
I’m as big a fan of the Opry (as a show) as anyone, but I really don’t understand why everyone feels that artists should have this reverence for the place. It’s not a nonprofit org, folks, they’re in it to make as much $$$ as anyone else in country music. At a time when musicians are ONLY able to pay the bills by taking every weekend gig they can find, expecting them to drop lucrative spots for $100 at the Opry is ridiculous.