Brad Paisley Finds Deeper Meaning Performing "Southern Comfort Zone" at Grand Ole Opry.

Brad Paisley's latest single, "Southern Comfort Zone," talks about seeing his home in Tennessee through new eyes after touring the world playing music. The song took on even deeper meaning when Brad recently performed it on the stage of the Grand Ole Opry. He was there to invite his friend Darius Rucker to become an Opry member when the show's management team unexpectedly asked him to sing. Brad says, "I went out with an acoustic guitar and sang that. And it’s a different song by yourself without the band rockin’ behind you." Singing that song on the same circle of wood on the Opry stage where country legends including Hank Williams, Sr. and Patsy Cline have stood was a big moment for Brad. He explains, "I'm standing in the circle, in my musical home, which I've been in love with since the first time I was allowed there to play." Brad goes on to draw parallels between Tennessee and the fictional home of the hobbits in J.R.R. Tolkien's celebrated trilogy, saying, "It's the Shire in Lord of the Rings. It's the place that's beautiful, ideal to live, which I appreciate more now after having seen the world." Look for Brad's new album featuring "Southern Comfort Zone" to come out next spring.

Darius Rucker's Grand Ole Opry Induction Airing Live on GAC TONIGHT!

Darius Rucker will be inducted as the newest member of the Grand Ole Opry tonight, and GAC is airing it live. The special edition of Noteworthy at the Opry airs at 9 p.m. ET. Vince Gill and Martina McBride are also slated to perform on the show. A pre-taped look back at Darius's career and well wishes from the likes of Brad Paisley will also be part of GAC program. As a new member of the Opry, Darius promises to keep up his end of the bargain performing at the Opry on a regular basis. He says, "I’m dedicated to this.  I’m not the kind of guy who becomes a member and then gets lost. That’s not how I live.” When Darius stands on that Opry stage for his induction, he'll be thinking about the long line of country legends that have gone before him too. He says actually being a member now is "pretty damn awesome."

Darius Rucker Accepts Invitation to Join Grand Ole Opry.

Congratulations to Darius Rucker, who accepted an invitation to become the newest member of the Grand Ole Opry Tuesday night. Opry member Brad Paisley surprised Darius with the invite during Tuesday night's show as part of a fake question and answer session. Brad stood up in the audience and popped the question to Darius, and he said yes to the Opry invite. Darius shed tears at the good news. He said backstage after the invite, "I was totally, totally taken by surprise today, and I’m amazed that everybody in my life knew, and they’re all here. I didn’t know any of them were here until I walked off the stage."
As for getting the invitation from his pal Brad, Darius says, "There is nobody in the business that I would have wanted to do that more than Brad Paisley. If I was to choose the person to ask me to join, it would’ve been Brad." Brad later tweeted that inviting Darius to join the Opry was one of the greatest honors of his life. He told his friend, "Welcome to your new home pal." Darius's Opry induction will air live on GAC's Noteworthy at the Opry on the night of October 16. Darius is the first African American artist to join the Opry since Charley Pride became a member in 1993.

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Will Ronnie Dunn Ignore The Grand Ole Opry's Demand That He Play "Old Hits" At His Performance On Saturday?

RONNIE DUNN is setting himself up for a showdown with the Grand Ole Opry this weekend. It started on Monday when he threw down the gauntlet with a post on his Facebook page. He wrote, quote, "I'm singing on the Opry Saturday Night. Someone called a few days ago and informed me that they prefer past radio 'hits'. "I'm having a hard time playing by 'the rules', these days. I really am! In fact, I'm over it. Think I'll sing what I feel like singing, they can spank me and send me home." Close to 700 fans offered their support and several hundred of those commented on his post. And then Ronnie added his own comment, taking it one step further. He wrote, quote, "This is amazing to me . . . I've received MORE comments from this post than anything I've ever said. What's good to hear is that YOU, (THE FANS) are passionate about following your hearts and people that do. "I've NEEDED to hear this for a very long time!!! Don't let me blow this!! I don't get another chance." Ronnie's "rules breaking performance" will be part of the Opry's 86th Birthday Bash Weekend. Other acts on Saturday's show include RASCAL FLATTS, CRAIG MORGAN and CHARLEY PRIDE.