Darius Rucker invited to join Grand Ole Opry

He has definitely gone country.

Darius Rucker, who rose to fame as the frontman for Hootie & The Blowfish in the 1980s, performed Tuesday night at the Grand Ole Opry and was surprised onstage by Brad Paisley with an invitation to join the Opry.

After Rucker had performed some of his hits, as well as his current single True Believers, Rucker agreed to take questions from members of the audience, notes Opry.com. After answering questions posed by two fans, a third "fan" — Paisley — appeared in the audience with a two-part question. First question: "Are you still the worst poker player in the world?" Second question: "Would you like to be the newest member of the Grand Ole Opry?"

"I'm still surprised," Rucker told AP after the show. "They shocked me. Everybody, my wife, and I'm just finding out even my kids knew. I wasn't expecting anything today. I didn't think tonight is the night I'd be asked to be a member of the Opry. That's unbelievable."

A few years ago, Rucker, 46, decided to give country music a try. He's had a multiplatinum, award-winning run since and will release his third country album early next year.

He is the third black performer to hold Opry membership, joining Country Music Hall of Fame members DeFord Bailey and Charley Pride, reports AP.

"I felt like I was in," Rucker said. "I felt like I was accepted and I was part of the family. This is the completion of the conversion from Hootie into Darius the country singer. With the induction into the Opry, it's definitely complete now."

Rucker will be inducted into the Opry on Oct. 16. That show will air live on GAC.