Jon Pardi Gets Emotional As He Receives Historical Opry Invite

Published May 1, 2023 By Tiffany Smithson Aaron

Stagecoach/Instagram

The Grand Ole Opry family is growing again! Jon Pardi received a coveted invite to become a member Friday night (April 28, 2023).

Jon Pardi was performing at Stagecoach in Indio, California, when he received the surprise of a lifetime. Celebrity chef Guy Fieri joined Pardi on stage and let him know that Alan Jackson had a message for him. The men turned to a large screen behind the stage where a video invitation from Jackson played.

“The Grand Ole Opry has always meant a whole lot to me and everybody in country music. And 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.

Pardi was overcome with emotion at the surprise as Opry VP & Executive Producer Dan Rogers came on stage.

“This guy makes the Opry happen. He debuted on the Opry stage almost 10 years ago, and we love it every time he comes onto the show,” Rogers told the crowd. “And tonight is historic because Jon, not only are you the first person ever invited to become an Opry member here at Stagecoach, this guy is the first native Californian ever to be a member of the Grand Ole Opry.”

Pardi then spoke about what it means to get an invite to the historic club – after taking a celebratory shot of tequila:

“I moved to Nashville chasing a dream at 22 years old and now I’m here. I love you guys and I love country music,” Pardi said before bowing to the crowd and taking a shot of tequila.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by CMT (@cmt)

Jon Pardi Bio

Capitol Nashville artist Jon Pardi has released four studio albums: Write You a Song (2014), California Sunrise (2016), Heartache Medication (2019) and Mr. Saturday Night (2022). With fourteen career charting singles on the Country Airplay and Billboard Hot Country Songs charts, Pardi has four number one hits to his credit. His first single, “Head Over Boots,” has been certified 4x platinum.