Next week, CBS newsman Bob Schieffer will moderate the last presidential debate.

So it's not surprising that he is in Nashville this week to check out the Belmont Debate.

What is surprising is how he's using his down time.

The veteran political commentator is also a secret country music crooner.

On Sunday, he got the chance of a lifetime... to belt it out on the Grand Ole Opry stage with the likes of Brad Paisley and Trisha Yearwood.

Here is a little of the show and what Schieffer was thinking before he took the stage.

Schieffer sang two songs.

It was a special Sunday night edition of the Grand Ole Opry paying tribute to Belmont University, which is hosting the debate.

Josh TurnerThe show featured Belmont alums Brad Paisley, Josh Turner, Trisha Yearwood and Julie Roberts.

It does seem odd to picture the newsman we're used to seeing in suits with a cowboy hat and jeans instead.

But this wasn't Schieffer's first trip to the Opry.

The native Texan told the audience that the first trip he ever took without his parents was to see Ernest Tubb at the Opry.

He even began a fledgling country music career in New York.

Schieffer performs with a group Honky Tonk Confidential and has recorded a CD.

Beverly Keel of the Tennessean has all the details of Schieffer's show.

And CNN has a few more pictures from the show.