On Monday 18 April 2022, Gene Watson reflected on his time at The Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, on the evening of Friday 8 April 2022.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v=78WLthzgwbE

‘Last Friday, 8 April 2022, was one for the history books.

‘I was completely taken by surprise, when Charlie Mattos, The Grand Ole Opry announcer, called me over after my performance and announced I was receiving a plaque to commemorate my 60 years in the music business.
Dan Rogers, General Manager of The Opry, walked out with it (and my drummer, Todd Hines, helped to hold it up).
It may be the biggest plaque ever made. The inscription reads: ‘To commemorate 60 years of hits, countless miles on the road, millions of fans impacted and one timeless country voice’.
I was just speechless. It has taken me all week to process it all, but even now, I can’t find the words to say how grateful I am to everyone that worked on this and, of course, a huge thank you to all my fans, who’ve allowed me to sing for my living for all these 60 years.
I’m just very grateful for this honour’

During a performance on Friday 8 April 2022, Dan Rogers, Vice President / Executive Producer, Grand Ole Opry, presented Gene Watson with the plaque, after his show-stopping rendition of his octave-jumping, ‘Farewell Party‘, which was written by Lawton Williams (Monday 24 July 1922 – Thursday 26 July 2007), to commemorate his six decades as an artist, receiving a standing ovation from the packed Opry House audience.
Source
• Gene Watson on Facebook