Carrie Underwood’s Emotional “Opry 100” Tribute To Randy Travis Leaves Crowd In Tears
on Mar 19, 2025 • Updated Sep 15, 2025
Carrie Underwood Honors Her Country Music Hero In A Moving Performance
For 100 years, the Grand Ole Opry has featured some of the world’s greatest country music artists on its famous stage, including Carrie Underwood.
To celebrate this iconic century, the Grand Ole Opry decided to host a star-studded celebration that has lasted all year! The celebration truly kicked off with the airing of the Opry 100 TV special in March.
The program was such a hit that it re-aired on NBC months later, on September 15. It’s also been available to stream on Peacock since the original broadcast..
Some of the artists featured during the star-studded program included Ashley McBryde, Post Malone, Reba McEntire, Randy Travis, Eric Church, Trace Adkins, Amy Grant, and many more.
Carrie Underwood Became An Opry Member In 2008
Among the artists who performed during Opry 100 was Carrie Underwood, who has been an Opry member since she was surprised by Randy Travis and invited to join on March 15, 2008.
The invitation was extended just three years after her American Idol win in 2005. During her performance, Travis walked up to surprise both her and the audience. The audience immediately gave him a standing ovation when he came into view.
Underwood was taken aback by their reaction and turned around to see Randy Travis, her expression reflecting shock. But she was even more shocked when he informed her that he had been chosen to welcome her into the Opry family.
In response, she jokingly said, “Let me think about it,” before agreeing to become a member. As the moment sank in, she started to cry.
Relive that special moment in the video below.
Carrie Underwood Honors Randy Travis During Opry 100
In a beautiful full-circle moment, Carrie Underwood stepped onstage during the Opry 100 celebration wearing a stunning black dress. She also wore a black dress 17 years ago when Randy Travis surprised her with her Opry invitation.
The roles were reversed this time, as Underwood honored Travis with a heartfelt tribute. She began her performance with a short speech, expressing how she has admired Travis for years.
“When I was a kid, my sister had a cassette tape of Randy Travis’s music. From the first time I heard him sing his traditional country voice and those songs, 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—embarrassing!But it was so emotional for me to meet this man whose voice I’ve been singing to and along with my whole life.”
She added, “I could never have imagined that I’d be recording songs with him or that Randy would become my dear friend, or that he would surprise me on stage and invite me to join the Grand Ole Opry back in 2008. It means so much to me to be here tonight to celebrate the Opry and the amazing Randy Travis by singing two of my favorite songs of his.”
She then performed two of Travis’ greatest hits, starting with “Three Wooden Crosses.” The camera captured the audience, revealing that many, including Travis’ wife, Mary, were brought to tears by the emotional moment.
Afterward, Underwood sang “Forever and Ever, Amen.”
Near the song’s end, she walked out into the audience, allowing Travis to sing the final “Amen.” This is a remarkable achievement, considering he suffered a stroke many years ago.
The entire audience gave her and Travis a standing ovation at the end of the song.
Catch some clips of the touching tribute below.
