Lynn joined the Opry family on Sept. 25, 1962. "There is no one at the Opry, in country music or on earth quite like Loretta Lynn," said Pete Fisher, Grand Ole Opry vice president and general manager. "Her influence as a recording artist and songwriter reaches across musical genres, cultures, and generations. She's earned her place among America's musical icons, and we look forward to celebrating 50 years of Opry membership with her next month."

Lynn credits Ernest Tubb and the Wilburn Brothers for her first appearance on the Opry stage at the historic Ryman Auditorium. She sang her debut single I'm A Honky Tonk Girl that night, but says all she can remember about that first performance is tapping her foot. As she exited the building, her husband "Doolittle" was said to have remembered her exclaiming, "I've sung on the Grand Ole Opry. I've sung on the Grand Ole Opry."