Carly Pearce thought she was doing her idol Dolly Parton a solid by filming a testimonial for the country icon’s Dollywood theme park. But then her dreams came true in the most unexpected way possible.
In a video filmed backstage at the Opry House in Nashville on June 17, Pearce was about to dive into the story of how she first visited the park when she was five years old and later performing there as a teenager when the unexpected happened. Little did she know that Dolly was sneaking up on her with some news that would change her life.
“Nuh uh,” Pearce said in shock as she spotted Parton walking onto the set.
“What are you doing, get in here!” Parton told the gobsmacked Pearce. “I just want to tell you how proud I am of you,” the country icon said while grabbing Pearce’s hand. “Did you know she started singing at Dollywood when she was 16 years old? You do remember don’t you? And I know that they told me that you have been on the Grand Ole Opry 80 times you’ve performed? How’d you do that? Like 80 times?”
“Oh my goodness, I’m just trying to follow in your footsteps,” the flustered Pearce said.
“You should be a member of the Grand Ole Opry, what’s wrong with them?” Parton wondered, as Pearce seconded that emotion. “Well, I came here today to tell you you are now an official member of the Grand Ole Opry!”
Pearce, as you might imagine, was overwhelmed, doubling over and covering her mouth as she cried through the surprise announcement for Parton, who has been an Opry member for half a century. The “I Hope You’re Happy Now” singer — who made her Opry debut in 2015 as an unsigned artist — will be inducted on Aug. 3.
See the special moment below.
