The Tuesday night (April 11) Grand Ole Opry already had a killer lineup with Keith Urban, Rascal Flatts, Terri Clark, Montgomery Gentry, the Del McCoury Band and Home Free.

 

But when emcee Bill Cody introduced the night’s surprise guest, saying, “You knew him from The Voice,” the sold-out crowd erupted in earsplitting applause as Blake Shelton walked onstage.

 

Sharing the moment on social media, Shelton simply posted, “Surprise bitch!”

 

Shelton and Ryman Hospitality broke ground this week to start construction of Ole Red Tishomingo, a new entertainment venue opening in fall 2017 in his hometown in Tishomingo, Oklahoma. The venue will include a 4,700-square-foot restaurant and performance space as well as a 1,400-square-foot retail store. A multi-level Nashville location is set to open on Lower Broadway in 2018.

 

The Voice season 12 goes live with top 20 contestants on Monday (April 17).