Congratulations Pouring in for Country Star Bill Anderson's Opry Milestone
Congratulations are in order for Whisperin' Bill Anderson.
On July 15, 1961, Anderson became a member of the Grand Ole Opry. Sixty-five years later, he continues to celebrate a historic legacy as the Opry's longest-serving continuous member.
"It'll be fun to think back on 65 years," the country legend told Taste of Country in an interview earlier this year.
"That's kind of a marker number, I guess, for a lot of things. People retire at 65, and heck, I'm just celebrating," he said before envisioning the headline, "Most people retire at 65, Bill celebrates."
Anderson is proud of the milestone, but he'll be the first to say he isn't the Opry's oldest member.
"I'm not the oldest member at the Opry, I know two people that are still living," Anderson said, naming fellow Opry greats Bobby Bare and Jeannie Pruitt. "But in terms of longevity on the show, I've been there longer than everybody … that's ever been a part of the show. So I'm very grateful for that, very thankful for it, and looking forward to celebrating in July."
Even though his anniversary lands on a Wednesday, the singer's always been "kind of a Saturday night Opry guy."
"I was raised on the Opry on Saturday nights before they did all the weekday shows. I said, 'Let's celebrate it on the 18th,'" he said.
For Saturday, July 18's celebration, Anderson will share the Opry stage with Lorrie Morgan, Crystal Gayle, Rhonda Vincent, John Berry, the Isaacs and Steve Dorff.
Anderson had a hand in the lineup, but he knew July's busy touring schedule would make it difficult to bring many artists together.
The celebration also comes with a bittersweet reminder. "Of course an awful lot of my Opry buddies have unfortunately passed on. The ones that were there when I joined the Opry, very few if any of them are left," he added.
Still, Anderson has grown close with a younger generation of Opry stars, including Vince Gill, Steve Wariner and Jamey Johnson. He's looking forward to celebrating alongside them, and his longtime friends, on his big night.
"I'd love it if they could be there that night, and we can all overdose on birthday cake," he quipped.
Fans have already taken to social media to send their congratulations. "That is a very long time. Dedication!! I'll be celebrating that," one person wrote, while another reflected, "So awesome to have seen him at the Opry many times ... what an honor."
"Congratulations on 65 years as member of Grand Ole Opry," a third added. "He's always been one of my favorites. Congratulations Bill!" another shared.
"Loved seeing Bill on many Stages, but the biggest goose bumps moments is when he come out on the Ryman or Opry Stage," a fan exclaimed.
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