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Reba McEntire received an unexpected surprise as she celebrated her 40th anniversary as a member of the historic Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee.
McEntire, 70, recently celebrated her Opry anniversary with a cake, as other Opry members who reach the 40-year milestone receive. However, she uniquely got an edible arrangement made of 40 corndogs, and beamed, “y’all know me very well.”
Fellow country star Terri Clark carried the arrangement of 40 corndogs into the room, and said, “on behalf of the Opry, Reba, this is your 40th anniversary gift, and I’m happy to give it to you.” McEntire added, “because you want part of it,” and Clark confirmed, “yes, I do.”
“I have wonderful, wonderful memories at the Grand Ole Opry, so thank y’all for this,” McEntire said in a clip she shared on Instagram on Wednesday (January 21). The clip also shared glimpses of performances at the show that evening, and the moment McEntire inducted Grammy-winning artist Suzy Bogguss as the newest member of the Opry.
Trisha Yearwood made a surprise appearance to congratulate Bogguss, and introduce McEntire to the stage. In an emotional moment, McEntire said, “this is so special, Suzy. This family is incredible. They are loving. Everybody in this building. This stage is very important to all of us dating many, many generations back. To be able to give you this trophy is very special to me, to everyone sitting here, and to everybody in this building watching.
“Suzy Bogguss’s voice is like an angel’s voice,” McEntire continued. “When she sings you know it. You know it when you hear it on the radio. I am so proud to give you this trophy that tells you that you are the latest member of the Grand Ole Opry. Congratulations!”
Bogguss said she was “so proud” to become an Opry member, and brought “gal pals” McEntire, Clark, Yearwood and Kathy Mattea to the stage to perform “Hey Cinderella.” McEntire also took the stage with “Happy’s Place,” “I’m A Survivor” and more. Watch her receive her surprise arrangement of 40 corndogs here: