Rhett Akins will become the newest member of the Grand Ole Opry later this year.

He received the surprise news from Jon Pardi when he joined him on stage just as he was wrapping up his Opry performance the other night. "Rhett has always been somebody who has always been a mentor and taught a lot to me about how to write songs, how to be a co-writer. He has over thirty number one's," Jon said. "You've always been family to me, but I'm here to invite you to become a member of the Grand Ole Opry. Rhett's whole family, including son Thomas Rhett, joined him on stage to celebrate the moment. He took off his hat, wiped away tears and embraced Jon. Rhett will officially be inducted into the Opry family later this year. He is responsible for writing 35 number one songs for artists like Blake Shelton, Luke Bryan and Thomas Rhett.