As a child growing up in Oklahoma, Carrie Underwood watched the Grand Ole Opry on television at her grandparents’ house. Just three years into her country music career, childhood hero Randy Travis surprised Carrie with a Grand Ole Opry invitation at a performance on March 15, 2008—nine years ago today.

Less than two months later, fellow Okie Garth Brooks inducted Carrie into the esteemed organization.

“I think being a member of the Grand Ole Opry is just one of the most special things for anybody who has ever wanted to be a country music singer,” said Carrie to Nash Country Daily in 2015. “It’s just such a cool thing. There’s no other genre of music that has something like it—you can be a member of this club. It’s just such a special, elite family. It’s definitely one of my proudest moments and highest honors.”