Jon Pardi got quite the surprise during his performance at Stagecoach on Friday night (April 28): an official invitation to become the newest member of the Grand Ole Opry, via a video invite from Alan Jackson.
While Pardi was on stage at the Indio, California, festival, friend and restauranteur Guy Fieri appeared to point the country star’s attention toward Jackson’s video.
“I’ve been appreciating your music ever since you were touring with me a few years ago. So I get the honor to invite you in front of all your Stagecoach friends out there to be the first native of California to become an official member of the Grand Ole Opry,” Jackson said, guitar in hand.
Meanwhile, on the stage, Opry executive producer Dan Rogers set up the Opry mic stan in front of Pardi.
“That mic stand represents the future of country music as well as its incredible history,” Rogers told the crowd. “This night will go down in history, too, both because Jon is the first artist invited to join the Opry on this stage and because he’s the first native Californian to get that call. What a great night!”
Pardi’s induction date has not yet been announced.
