'Etched in history': Terri Clark celebrates 100 years of Grand Ole Opry as proud, proud Canadian

"When we got to the border, the customs officer said, 'Where are you ladies going?' and we said, 'the Grand Ole Opry.'"

That's country music superstar Terri Clark describing her move to Nashville in the mid 1990s.

Fast forward to 2004 and Clark is inducted into the Opry as the first Canadian female to become a member. She still stands alone in that regard.

Now, Clark says, it's time to recognize 100 years of country music that honours the pioneers. A three-day celebration of the Opry's centennial starts Wednesday night in Nashville.

"Standing on the Opry stage is humbling. Even to this day I get nervous, stepping out on that stage," Clark told the Calgary Eyeopener in a Wednesday interview.

"I don't know that anyone gets up on the Opry stage and stands in that circle without a case of the nerves because you know the tremendous weight that it holds and the history and the people that stood there before you."

Clark was born in Montreal, but raised in Medicine Hat, Alta., and she's proud of those roots.

"I am going to be wearing my Canadian maple leaf lapel pin tonight to represent our country on that stage. I am a proud, proud Canadian."

The performer — born Terri Lynn Sauson — said she echoes veteran country music singer/songwriter George Jones in his song Who's Gonna Fill Their Shoes?

"They were just country folks trying to sing country music and they paved the way for us and they did it the hard way," Clark said.

"They weren't in Learjets and buses. They were sleeping in the back of cars on their way to gigs. Those are the people that we need to honour especially tonight. It is important to always remember that when you step on that stage."