Three Pairs of Boots, One Night to Remember: Scotty McCreery’s Opry Induction Immortalized

On April 20, 2024, Scotty McCreery stepped into country music history, officially joining the Grand Ole Opry. Standing beside him were two figures who shaped his journey—mentor Josh Turner and country legend Randy Travis. It was the kind of moment steeped in tradition, the kind you pass down like a family heirloom.

Now, that night has been preserved in a permanent backstage display at the Opry titled Who’s Gonna Fill Their Shoes—a nod to the George Jones classic and the lineage it represents. At its heart are the actual shoes worn by the three men that evening: McCreery’s black Lucchese boots, Turner’s square-toe Ariats, and Travis’ well-worn Converse low tops. Together, they tell a story of tradition handed down through generations.

That night, Turner summed it up perfectly: “I stand here proud of the fact that I bridged the gap between the generation of Randy Travis and Scotty McCreery.” Quoting Jones’ immortal question, “Who’s gonna fill their shoes?” Turner answered it himself: “Scotty McCreery.”

The display also features Turner’s heartfelt induction speech—one that brought him to tears—praising McCreery not only as a gifted singer and songwriter but also as “a great man, husband, and now father.”

For McCreery, the moment was the culmination of a lifelong dream. “If you’ve listened to any of my interviews over the last 13 years,” he said, “you’d know my biggest goal was always to be a member of the Grand Ole Opry.” That dream became reality with his wife and their 18-month-old son Avery watching from the audience, as he sang “Five More Minutes” through tears.

Fans can now see the Who’s Gonna Fill Their Shoes display during backstage tours at the Opry House. It’s a simple exhibit—three pairs of shoes, a printed speech—but it carries the weight of decades of country tradition.

Because in Nashville, boots speak louder than billboards, and the Opry isn’t just about honoring artists—it’s about honoring what country music stands for: past, present, and future.