For a century, the Grand Ole Opry has hosted some of the world’s top country music acts.
To commemorate this momentous century, the Grand Ole Opry has decided to host a star-studded gala.
This year’s artists include Ashley McBryde, Post Malone, Reba McEntire, Randy Travis, Eric Church, Trace Adkins, Amy Grant, and many more.
Carrie Underwood The Grand Ole Opry’s participation
One of the singers singing is Carrie Underwood, who has been a member of the Opry since she was requested to join on March 15, 2008, after being pleasantly surprised by Randy Travis.
She had won American Idol in 2005, and it had been three years. During her performance, Randy Travis came up behind her, surprising both her and the audience. The audience immediately knew him, and he was at the peak of his popularity at the time.
Carrie Underwood was taken aback by their remark and turned to Randy Travis, looking shocked.
He informed her that the Grand Ole Opry had chosen him to meet her.
“Give it some thought,” she added jokingly, and nodded. As the knowledge dawned on her, tears welled up in her eyes.
She was hugged by Randy Travis, who also informed her that today would be her official Grand Ole Opry debut.
After the event, Carrie Underwood made the humorous remark that nobody had revealed the surprise.
Relive the unforgettable moment below.
Carrie Underwood Randy Travis was respected.
Carrie Underwood made a stunning full circle at the Opry 100 anniversary by taking the stage wearing a stunning black dress, the same color she wore when Randy Travis surprised her by announcing that she would become an official member 17 years earlier.
The roles were reversed this time, as Carrie Underwood gave a heartfelt tribute to Randy Travis.
Underwood stated in a succinct speech that began her performance that she had idolized Travis since she was a young child.
When I was a kid, my sister had a cassette tape with Randy Travis songs on it. When I heard him sing those songs with his traditional country voice, I knew my sister would not be able to get the cassette back. I was enthralled right away. I cried when I saw him for the first time, years later, which was awkward! But it was incredibly emotional for me to meet this man whose voice I’ve been singing to and with all my life. I never would have imagined that I would be recording songs with Randy or that we would become good friends, but in 2008, he surprised me on stage and invited me to join the Grand Ole Opry. It means a lot to me to be here today to pay tribute to the Opry and the amazing Randy Travis by singing two of his songs that I love.
Then she performed two of his most well-known songs, starting with “Three Wooden Crosses.” Throughout the performance, the audience was filmed, and it was clear that many people—including Randy Travis’s wife Mary Davis—were moved to tears by the moving occasion.
She then performed one of Randy Travis’s best-known songs, “Forever and Ever, Amen.”
As the song was coming to an end, she stepped out into the crowd, allowing Randy Travis to sing the last “Amen.” This is a huge feat because he had a stroke many years ago.
When she concluded her tribute performance, she and the iconic singer received a standing ovation from the entire audience.
A little clip from the concert is included below.
