Keith Urban to join The Grand Ole Opry
(CBS/AP) Keith Urban got a big surprise at his All For The Hall benefit concert on Tuesday night at The Bridgestone Arena.
Vince Gill and members of Rascal Flatts, The Oak Ridge Boys and Diamond Rio surprised Urban with the announcement he will officially join The Grand Ole Opry later this month, a revelation that clearly took the Australian country star by surprise.
Pictures: Keith Urban"I'm shocked, I've got to say," Urban told the sold-out crowd. "It's a huge honor and how beautiful to have this happen tonight of all nights."
During the show, Urban had his own set of surprises to share. He brought Merle Haggard and childhood hero Don Williams on stage, fittingly trotting out a couple of inductees for the fundraiser to benefit the Country Music Hall of Fame Museum.
"This is one of the biggest thrills of my life, getting to play a little guitar with this guy coming out," Gill said before bringing Haggard on stage.
With the exception of the night's surprise guests, the theme of Urban and Gill's third installment of the benefit was duos, vocal groups and bands.
Rascal Flatts, also recently invited to join the Opry, brought out a black duffel bag with a surprise inside for Urban. He opened it to find an Opry microphone stand.
Urban appeared to tear up before recovering and addressing the crowd. He also dedicated his invitation to his wife, the actress Nicole Kidman, and his daughters.
"I've been here 20 years this year," Urban said. "1989 was the first year I came over from Australia to take my demo to the record labels. I got a lot of strange looks. ... This night here is in a whole other stratosphere."
Urban will be inducted into the Opry on April 21.