Carrie Underwood Pays Tribute to Randy Travis at Grand Ole Opry 100th Anniversary Celebration
Carrie Underwood stole the show at the 100th anniversary celebration of the Grand Ole Opry on Wednesday night. The event, titled Opry 100: A Live Celebration, was a memorable evening dedicated to honoring country music legend Randy Travis, who had welcomed Underwood as a member of the Grand Ole Opry 17 years ago in 2008.
Underwood began her tribute by reminiscing about her childhood, sharing a heartwarming story about her sister’s cassette tape of Randy Travis’ music. She confessed that she had “never” returned it after getting her hands on it. This personal connection to Travis set the stage for a heartfelt performance.
The highlight of the night was Underwood’s rendition of Travis’ iconic songs, “Three Wooden Crosses” and “Forever and Ever, Amen.” As the final notes of “Forever and Ever, Amen” filled the air, Underwood surprised everyone by walking over to Travis in the crowd and handing him the microphone to sing the closing, “Amen.” This emotional moment brought tears to the eyes of the audience.
The crowd erupted in applause and rose to their feet to honor both Underwood and Travis. Social media buzzed with fans expressing their awe and admiration for the moving performance. One user on Twitter wrote, “IM NOT CRYING YOU ARE,” accompanied by a clip of Underwood and Travis’ unforgettable moment. Another user exclaimed, “THREE WOODEN CROSSES. I was NOT ready,” adding crying emojis. A third fan tweeted, “Wow. Tears everywhere as Randy Travis closes with Carrie Underwood.”
The Grand Ole Opry also joined in the praise, sharing a post about the night Underwood was inducted into their family 17 years ago. The account reminisced, “We’ll never forget the moment Randy invited Carrie into the family,” accompanied by a photo from 2008.
Carrie Underwood, who rose to fame as the winner of “American Idol” in 2005, attended the country music ceremony in a stunning one-shoulder black gown with a sheer bottom and a dramatic train. She completed her look with statement earrings, exuding elegance and grace.
The event, hosted by country superstar Blake Shelton, was a star-studded affair, featuring performances by Jelly Roll, Reba McEntire, Post Malone, Trace Adkins, Lainey Wilson, and Kelsea Ballerini. The night was a preview of the official 100th anniversary of the Grand Ole Opry, set to take place in November, with celebrations planned throughout the year.
Carrie Underwood’s tribute to Randy Travis at the Grand Ole Opry 100th anniversary celebration was a testament to the enduring power and influence of country music. It was a night that will be remembered not only for the incredible performances but also for the heartfelt connection between two generations of talented artists.
