Twenty years ago, a 22-year-old Carrie Underwood made her debut on the Grand Ole Opry stage, fresh off her historic American Idol Season 4 win as the first country singer to clinch the title. Three years later, her dreams soared even higher when Randy Travis surprised her on stage with an invitation to join the Opry’s cast. Now recognized as one of the Opry’s most celebrated stars, it was only fitting to see the “Jesus, Take The Wheel” singer take center stage at NBC’s Opry 100: A Live Celebration.
Carrie Underwood lights up social media with her unforgettable performance.
In 1925, one of the founders of National Life and Accident Insurance Company persuaded the firm to start its own radio station, naming it WSM after their slogan, “We Shield Millions.” With a modest studio set up in downtown Nashville, WSM aired its first broadcast on October 5, 1925.
A month later, National Life brought on board renowned announcer George D. Hay—famous for his National Barn Dance on Chicago’s WLS—to kick off the WSM Barn Dance alongside 77-year-old fiddle player Uncle Jimmy Thompson on November 28, 1925. This event marked the birth of the Grand Ole Opry.
Fast forward to Wednesday, March 19, when Carrie Underwood joined an elite group of country music stars, including Reba McEntire and Brad Paisley, for NBC’s Opry 100: A Live Celebration. In a nod to her own 2008 induction, the American Idol champion delivered performances of two Randy Travis hits, “Three Wooden Crosses” and “Forever and Ever, Amen.”
In one of the evening’s most heartfelt moments, Underwood made her way over to Travis in the audience and handed him the microphone for the final “Amen.” With a smile, she announced, “Randy Travis, everyone!”
Following a near-fatal stroke in 2013 that left him with aphasia—significantly impairing his communication—Travis has scaled back his public engagements. Yet, the joy on his face as he soaked in the applause spoke louder than words.
Carrie Finds Her Confidence
While performing during NBC’s Opry 100: A Live Celebration, Carrie Underwood exuded a remarkable confidence—a trait not always evident in the 16-time ACM Award winner. In a past conversation with country writer Nancy Brooks, Underwood admitted, “I just wish I was smoother. I never know what to say. I’m the worst person in social situations. I am always nervous, and I’m such a quiet watcher. I love to go places and just sit and watch other people.”