When a song connects with you it can bring up all kinds of feelings. That might be happiness, sadness, hope, or even a little heartbreak. Country music has a way of really hitting home like that and this duet is one of those times.
Carrie Underwood and Vince Gill teamed up for “How Great Thou Art” at the ACM’s Girls’ Night Out: Superstar Women of Country special in 2011. Carrie’s voice was smooth and strong, Vince came in with harmonies that fit perfectly, and the whole thing felt flawless.
The audience was quiet through the whole song. Vince played a guitar solo in the middle that gave Carrie a moment to rest and then she came back with even more power to finish. By the time they were done the crowd was on its feet with loud cheers.
Carrie has been a big name since winning the fourth season of American Idol in 2005. She was the only country artist to debut at number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and has sold over 70 million albums. Rolling Stone once called her “the female vocalist of her generation of any genre”.
Vince Gill first made his mark in 1979 with the band Pure Prairie League. He went on to play with other groups, got invited by Mark Knopfler to join Dire Straits, and started his solo career in 1983. He has picked up plenty of awards and is a favorite for duets.
This performance is still a fan favorite for both of them. You can find it all over YouTube with millions of views. The sound, the feeling, and the way it all came together says more than any description ever could.