Watch Carrie Underwood’s emotional tribute to Randy Travis from Opry 100 special
The premiere country music showcase, Grand Ole Opry recently celebrated its 100th anniversary with a special featuring a who’s who of singing stars. One of the most touching moments of the night came from American Idol judge and season 4 winner Carrie Underwood. She spoke and performed in tribute to the iconic Randy Travis, who invited her to join the Opry back in 2008.
She performed two of her favorite Travis songs, including “Three Wooden Crosses” and “Forever and Ever, Amen.” But ahead of those performances she shared how, at 8 years old, her sister introduced her to Travis’ music. She gave her a tape, and Carrie fell in love with his voice. “I was hooked, and I knew my sister was not getting that tape back!”
“The first time I met him many years later I cried,” Carrie confessed. “I could never have imagined that I’d be recording songs with him or that Randy would become my dear friend.” The two recorded a duet of Randy’s 1987 hit “I Told You So” in 2009. “It means so much to me to be here tonight to celebrate the Opry and the amazing Randy Travis.”
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As Travis watched from the audience, Carrie performed an emotional rendition of the spiritual “Three Wooden Crosses,” followed by a bouncy version of the love song, “Forever and Ever.” As she finished the second tune, Carrie approached Travis’ seat in the auditorium and placed the microphone in front of him to sing the ending “amen” of the performance.
Randy Travis suffered a devastating stroke in 2013
The moment was particularly touching because Travis suffered a near-fatal stroke in 2013 and was diagnosed with aphasia, which has affected his ability to speak and sing. He spent four months in the hospital recovering and had to relearn many things. He has since relearned how to walk but still relies on a wheelchair.
Afterward, members of the audience wiped away tears as they stood and clapped.
Former The Voice coach Blake Shelton hosted NBC’s Opry 100: A Live Celebration, which broadcast live from the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, Tennessee. The three hour live event which broadcast on NBC and Peacock featured performances from Alan Jackson, Alison Krauss & Union Station, Ashley McBryde, Blake Shelton, Brad Paisley, Carly Pearce, Clint Black, Dierks Bentley, Garth Brooks, Jamey Johnson, Keith Urban, Kelsea Ballerini, Lainey Wilson, Lauren Alaina, Luke Combs, Marty Stuart, Reba McEntire, Ricky Skaggs, Scotty McCreery, Steven Curtis Chapman, Terri Clark, Trace Adkins, Travis Tritt, Trisha Yearwood, Vince Gill and more.
Carrie walked the red carpet with husband Mike Fisher for the first time in two years
Carrie walked the red carpet with her husband, former ice hockey player, Mike Fisher. Reportedly it was the first time in two years the couple walked a red carpet together.
