Some of the best country music performers in the world have performed at the Grand Ole Opry for a century.
The Grand Ole Opry has made the decision to throw a star-studded celebration in honor of this historic century.
Ashley McBryde, Post Malone, Reba McEntire, Randy Travis, Eric Church, Trace Adkins, Amy Grant, and numerous other performers are among the artists showcased this year.
Underwood, Carrie Joining the Grand Ole Opry
Carrie Underwood, an Opry member since she was pleasantly surprised by Randy Travis and asked to join on March 15, 2008, is one of the artists performing.
Three years had passed since her 2005 American Idol victory. Randy Travis surprised her and the audience by approaching from behind during her performance. He was at the height of his popularity at the moment, and the audience recognized him right away.
Their response surprised Carrie Underwood, who turned to face Randy Travis with a shocked expression on her face.
He told her that he had been selected to greet her at the Grand Ole Opry.
She said in jest, “Give it some thought,” and then nodded. She started to cry as the realization hit her and tears filled her eyes.
Randy Travis gave her a hug and told her the day she will officially join the Grand Ole Opry.
Carrie Underwood made the amusing observation after the occasion that everyone had kept the surprise a secret.
Below, relive the memorable moment.
Underwood, Carrie Respected Randy Travis
At the Opry 100 anniversary, Carrie Underwood made a breathtaking full circle when she took the stage in a gorgeous black dress—the same color she wore when Randy Travis shocked her by telling her she would be an official member 17 years prior.
This time, the roles were flipped, as Carrie Underwood paid a moving homage to Randy Travis.
In a brief address that opened her performance, Underwood said she had admired Travis since she was a young girl.
My sister had a cassette tape of Randy Travis songs when I was a child. I knew my sister would not get the cassette back once I heard him sing those songs and his traditional country voice. I was immediately captivated. It was embarrassing that I cried when I first saw him, many years later! However, meeting this man whose voice I’ve been singing to and with my entire life was really emotional for me. Randy surprised me on stage and invited me to join the Grand Ole Opry back in 2008, and I never would have thought that I would be recording songs with him or that he would become a close friend. Being here tonight to honor the Opry and the incredible Randy Travis by performing two of my favorite songs of his means a lot to me.
After that, she sang two of his best-known songs, beginning with “Three Wooden Crosses.” The audience was captured on camera throughout this performance, and it was evident that many people, including Mary Davis, the wife of Randy Travis, were moved to tears by the poignant moment.
She then sang “Forever and Ever, Amen,” one of Randy Travis’s greatest hits.
She moved out into the crowd as the song was coming to a close, giving Randy Travis the opportunity to sing the last “Amen.” He had a stroke many years ago, so this is a great accomplishment.
The entire audience gave her and the legendary singer a standing ovation when she wrapped off her tribute performance.
Below is a short excerpt from the performance.
