On Wednesday night, country music star Carrie Underwood delivered a heartfelt tribute to Randy Travis at the Grand Ole Opry House, leaving the audience deeply moved. Her performance was part of Opry 100: A Live Celebration, a star-studded three-hour concert special broadcast live on NBC from Nashville’s iconic venue.
Underwood began her tribute by sharing a touching childhood memory. She recalled listening to her sister’s Randy Travis cassette tape as a young girl, joking that she never returned it to her sister. Little did she know that years later, Travis himself would invite her to become a member of the Grand Ole Opry in 2008—a moment she described as one of the greatest honors of her career.
The tribute took on even greater emotional weight as Underwood reflected on Travis’s journey. In 2013, the country legend suffered a near-fatal stroke that left him largely unable to sing. Despite this, his influence on the genre and his resilience have continued to inspire artists and fans alike.
On stage, Underwood performed two of her favorite Randy Travis songs: “Three Wooden Crosses” and “Forever and Ever Amen.” Her powerful renditions captivated the audience, but it was the finale that truly brought the house to tears. As she finished “Forever and Ever Amen,” Underwood stepped off the stage and approached Travis, who was seated in the front row. She held the microphone out to him, allowing him to sing the final word of the song: “amen.” Travis, with a radiant smile, delivered the word flawlessly, creating a moment of pure magic that left the audience in awe.
The emotional tribute was especially poignant given Travis’s recent appearance at the Opry earlier this month. On March 5, as part of the Opry 100 series, Travis took the stage with Clay Walker, the country artist set to portray him in an upcoming biopic. During the event, Travis made a special announcement: after 12 years of recovery, he plans to go on tour again—a testament to his enduring spirit and love for music.
Underwood’s tribute not only honored Travis’s legendary career but also highlighted the deep respect and admiration she holds for him. The evening was a celebration of country music’s rich history and the enduring bonds between its artists, leaving everyone in attendance—and watching at home—with a profound sense of connection and gratitude.
