In the last few years, former Hootie & the Blowfish singer Darius Rucker has been refashioning himself as a country music artist. And a recent performance and the surprising reaction on Twitter led Rucker to express disbelief at the racism happening in the year 2013.

One Twitter user took issue with Rucker recently covering the Bob Dylan-inspired Old Crow Medicine Show hit “Wagon Wheel” at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville.

“Leave the country to white folk,” said user @pqkullman.

“WOW is this 2013 or 1913,” tweeted Rucker. “I’ll take my Grand Ole Opry membership and leave your racism. Wow.”.

“@pqkullman: @dariusrucker Leave country to the white folk”. WOW. Is this 2013 or 1913

— Darius Rucker (@dariusrucker) May 19, 2013

“@pqkullman: @dariusrucker Leave country to the white folk”. Ill take my grand ole Opry membership and leave your racism. Wow

— Darius Rucker (@dariusrucker) May 19, 2013

He was then asked why he responds to racists on Twitter:

“@urbaneremite: @dariusrucker serious question why do you respond to the racists?”So the world can see them.

— Darius Rucker (@dariusrucker) May 19, 2013

Since Sunday, Rucker has had to battle even more pointed racist tweets. Like this one, for instance:

“@ashleyzolanski: @dariusrucker nigger”. Holy crap!!

— Darius Rucker (@dariusrucker) May 22, 2013