Rascal Flatts - Rascal Flatts Shocked By Grand Ole Opry Invite

The trio was performing at the famed venue in Nashville, Tennessee when Vince Gill, who has been a member of the fabled home of country music for 20 years, made a surprise appearance onstage during their set.

Gill interrupted the musicians midway through a song to invite them to become members of the Opry - one of the highest honours for a country star.

The men had tears in their eyes as the crowd gave them a standing ovation after hearing the news, reports Fox News.

Bassist Jay DeMarcus says, "I used to vacation here with my family and I can remember being a little kid sitting in the very back at the very top of the Opry house and looking down at that stage and that circle and wanting so bad to hopefully someday be on that stage, so for it to come full circle like it has tonight is very emotionally overwhelming."

The band will be formally inducted in the Grand Ole Opry on 8 October (11).