Comedian Gary Mule Deer officially inducted into Grand Ole Opry

"I think this is the first time a GOAT has inducted a Mule Deer," joked comedian Gary Mule Deer onstage at the Grand Ole Opry on Friday evening as legendary country music artist — and fellow Opry member — Vince Gill officially inducted the 83-year-old into the permanent cast of the 97-year-old program. "Greatest of all time, right back there," Mule Deer continued about Gill.

Mule Deer is a native of Deadwood, South Dakota. His trademark upswept coiffure and dry wit have allowed him a six-decade-long comedic and musical career that has impacted the likes of Woody Allen, David Letterman and Steve Martin. He's a live crowd favorite as a regular addition to the Opry's hourlong programming.

Referring to the moment as a "dream come true," Gill added, "Comedy, the people who make us laugh have been a huge part of the Grand Ole Opry for these 97 years plus." After presenting Mule Deer with an Opry Member Award, Gill said to Mule Deer, "This place is special. You will be blessed by the family that you are going to inherit from this day forward. On behalf of all of us, congratulations on becoming the newest member of the Grand Ole Opry."

Alongside Asian-American comedian Henry Cho (the Opry's first-ever Asian-American cast member), Mule Deer represents the first comedian inducted into the Opry in a half-century since Jerry Clower's 1973 induction.

Grand Ole Opry Vice President and Executive Producer Dan Rogers refers to the Opry's current era of dynamic evolution as an "incredibly exciting time" for the program, venue and organization.

About the induction of comedians to the Opry's cast, he adds, "Comedy has been an integral — and more importantly, fun — part of the Opry for decades. It will be fabulous to have both Henry and Gary as Opry members and for many of their fellow comedians on Opry shows to keep ratcheting up the fun factor every night."

The venue has also debuted a new set and refurbished stage this year. Since 2021, over 150 acts have debuted on the program, while a dozen have been inducted into the program's permanent cast. Both numbers are unprecedented.

Offers 1961 Opry inductee "Whispering" Bill Anderson about the Opry's growth: "The Grand Ole Opry is country music's shining beacon on the hill that shines a guiding light for the genre's industry. If we can play a role [in the realms of] on social media, television and worldwide, I would be surprised if the Opry doesn't — in this coming generation — grow its overall audience to the largest it has ever had."

For more information about and tickets for the Opry, visit opry.com.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Comedian Gary Mule Deer officially inducted into Grand Ole Opry