Country Music Hall of Famer Bobby Bare celebrated his 83rd birthday on stage at the Grand Ole Opry Saturday night (April 7), but instead of a cake, he got an even better surprise. Garth Brooks made an unexpected appearance to invite Bare to officially rejoin the Opry family.

Bare was originally inducted as a Grand Ole Opry member in the early 1960s, but over the next decade his membership lapsed. Despite this, he's been a frequent guest to the stage, with hopes of formally re-entering. He was almost finished with his set when Brooks walked up to him.

"You have absolutely no idea what's about to happen, do you?" Brooks asked.

"No idea," a baffled Bare answered. "Totally in the dark."

Brooks informed the crowd that they were going to witness "a historic night," as well as "one of the coolest honors ever bestowed on me."

He then went on to note that "The Grand Ole Opry isn't about membership. It's not a club. It's about family. And family is forever!"

Brooks then formally asked Bare back into the family, to the roaring approval of the crowd.

Bare, who appeared overwhelmed and overjoyed, tweeted out the following day about what a stellar birthday he'd just celebrated.

Bare has a multi-decade career that spans pop and folk music as well as country. He is the father of singer-songwriter Bobby Bare Jr. In 2013, he was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.

Brooks had just recently introduced Chris Janson a few weeks ago as a member of the Opry, again making sure to stress the family aspect of the institution.

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