Why Did It Take So Long For This Artist To Be Honored?

What’s wrong with people? No, it’s not a rhetorical question, I’d really like to know. This is a bit of a rant, but I think it must be said. Again, I’ll repeat, what’s wrong with people? 

I guess now is a good time to clue you into what I’m talking about? This past Saturday night, country singer Kathy Mattea was asked to become the next member of the Grand Ole Opry. It’s such an honor for singers to be in that membership group.  

The honor helps recognize a career and music that has impacted people and helped them through tough times or was a part of them enjoying the good times in life.  

Who Is Kathy Mattea? 

Even if you weren’t a country music fan, if you were around in the late 1980’s you at least knew of Kathy’s song “18 Wheels and a Dozen Roses”. The song talks about a truck driver who is on his last run before he retires and spends the rest of his life with his wife. 

This song was impactful for a lot of people, especially if your dad or brother drove a truck.  

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Kathy’s career became a national one in 1984, but it wasn’t until 1986 that she began to become a strong force in country music when she released “Love at the Five and Dime” which peaked at #3.  

I got into radio October 1st, 1988, and quickly became a fan of Kathy. That year she gave us “Goin’, Gone” which went to #1, as did the next song “18 Wheels and a Dozen Roses”. In 1989 we were listening to “Come from the Heart” and Burnin’ Old Memories”, and those were followed by maybe my favorite by Kathy Mattea “Where’ve You Been” and “She Came from Ft. Worth”. 

Her career continued into the 1990’s and all total Kathy Mattea had 30 songs hit the Billboard Hot Country Charts, 16 of those were Top 10 hits and 4 went straight to #1.  

Why did it take this long?

Many fans who commented on The Grand Ole Opry’s Facebook page were asking the same question. So many modern artists who have been around a much shorter time have already been giving the invite. 

It's not like she hasn't been at the Grand Ole Opry, a Google search says that Kathy Mattea has played the Opry 170 times, so she's been around. It is a requirement of the Opry if you're a member to play there fairly often, I'd say that she's done that already.

Kathy’s beauty and beautiful voice have lasted through the generations, and as she has been an awesome ambassador for country music and she could have been for years for The Grand Ole Opry. 

I guess it’s better to be late than never. But again I ask, “What’s Wrong With People?