Country music is all about celebrating family traditions and values, so it was only fitting that Crystal Gayle’s sister, Loretta Lynn, was the one who inducted the Grammy winning singer into the Grand Ole Opry last week.
In November 2016 country music sensation and Opry member Carrie Underwood invited Gayle to join the elite list of Opry membership.
Country legend Lynn presided over the induction ceremony at the Ryman Auditorium on January 21, 2017.
Both sisters have lifelong ties to the Ryman, a longstanding country music institution. Lynn has been an Opry member for years, and Gayle made her Opry debut 50 years ago. That night the pretty brunette singer known for her signature long tresses, was just 16 when she sang, “Ribbon of Darkness.”
Gayle was overjoyed when she learned of her induction…
Being a member of the Opry is just incredible,” she said. “It’s really hard to comprehend. I have felt like a part of the Opry for all these years. Now, I’m official.”
Lynn was thrilled for her sister, and said…
It was the greatest moment of my life when they made me a member of the Grand Ole Opry in 1962. I know she is just as happy as I was then.”
Gayle signed her first recording contract while she was still in school. Lynn wrote her sister’s debut single, “I’ve Cried the Blue Right Out of My Eyes,” and the song reached the Top 25 on the national country music charts.
But music lovers worldwide know Gayle for her 1977 country-pop hit, “Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue.” The iconic song earned Gayle a Grammy for Best Female Vocal Performance.
During her long and illustrious career Gayle has recorded 20 number one country hits, six gold albums, and she was the first female country artist to score a platinum album with the 1977 runaway hit, “We Must Believe in Magic.”
She has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (near her sister Loretta Lynn’s star) and in 1983 was voted one of the 50 Most Beautiful People in the World by People magazine.
Last year Crystal was awarded the Cliffie Stone Pioneer Award during the Academy of Country Music’s 10th Annual ACM Honors.™
When not on tour, Gayle resides in Nashville with her husband, Bill Gatzimos. She has two grown children and one grandson.
For more information, including tour dates, visit: crystalgayle.com
Written by Tanya Clark
