Brendon Thorne, Getty Images
It was a night of great music and much love as Emmylou Harris celebrated 20 years as a member of the Grand Ole Opry Saturday (Jan. 21). After regular Grand Ole Opry performances by Little Jimmy Dickens, Mandy Barnett, Jesse McReynolds, Jim Ed Brown, Jean Shepard and Craig Morgan, Emmylou took to the stage to welcome her invited guests.
"They gave me an hour to have some of my friends come and be with me tonight," Emmylou explained to the full house at the Ryman Auditorium in downtown Nashville. "There is nothing better than having these friends I've worked with for years come and help me celebrate. Please welcome The Whites!"
Buck, Cheryl and Sharon took to the stage for a rousing rendition of 'San Antonio Rose,' while Vince Gill sat just offstage, strumming his guitar along with the trio. Emmylou waited on the sidelines as well, enjoying the music. When the song was over, she invited The Whites to stay onstage while she brought out the Red Dirt Boys, who joined them on 'Blue Kentucky Girl.'
The radiant Emmylou was beaming throughout the night, obviously having a great time with friends like Shawn Colvin, whom she introduced by saying, "This is a great chance to bring some of my good friends to the Opry for my 20th anniversary. She has been singing this song in her show for a long time and she sings it as good as anyone I know."
Buddy Miller accompanied Shawn on the Merle Haggard classic, 'That's The Way Love Goes.' Following their performance, the Opry Square Dancers entertained before Emmylou called another friend who was playing the Opry for the first time, Kimmie Rhodes. "I've
