Rascal Flatts Thrilled With Grand Ole Opry Invite

Congratulations are in order this morning to Big Machine recording artists Rascal Flatts. The trio of Gary LeVox, Jay DeMarcus, and Joe Don Rooney were invited to become the latest members of the Grand Ole Opry Tuesday night (Sept. 27).

The group was performing on the Tuesday night edition of the Opry broadcast over WSM Radio when Vince Gill surprised them mid-song with the invitation to join the ranks of the show's cast.

Rascal Flatts becomes the third established act to join the show as of late, following Blake Shelton and the Oak Ridge Boys. LeVox told the audience it is one of the biggest honors the group has had.

"You know, we've gotten to do a lot of amazing things in our career like going to Iraq and visiting our soldiers, selling out arenas, and doing a lot of magnificent things that … you can't even dream that big. But all three of us grew up listening to the Opry, Jay with his grandfather, me with my grandmother, and Joe Don with his entire family. You can't even put into words what this means to us. When we first signed our record deal in 1999, our main goal was to play the Grand Ole Opry and someday be members of the Grand Ole Opry. Thank you so much for being here."

Beginning their career in 2000 with the top ten hit "Prayin' For Daylight," Rascal Flatts has consistently been one of the most successful acts in the business - as well as the biggest selling Country group in the past decade. Their current single, "Easy," is a collaboration with pop songstress Natasha Bedingfield and is holding steady at No. 17 in its thirteenth week on the Hot Country Songs chart.

In addition to their extensive sales and airplay success, Rascal Flatts shares one of the Opry's hallmarks -- a tradition of giving back. The trio has raised and donated millions of dollars for the Monroe Carell, Jr. Childrens' Hospital at Vanderbilt Hospital in Nashville.

The induction of Rascal Flatts will take place during the 86th Birthday Celebration of the show on October 8.