Randy Travis Was Radiant & All-Smiles in Rare Opry 100 Appearance
There wasn't a dry eye in the Grand Ole Opry House during its 100th anniversary event.
Was this the sweetest moment in the entire Opry 100: A Live Celebration broadcast? Randy Travis and Carrie Underwood shared a special connection that brought the entire auditorium at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville to tears, and it's easy to see why.
RELATED: Country Icon Randy Travis Reveals Major Career Updates Following His 2013 Stroke
Randy Travis was all smiles at NBC's Opry 100: A Live Celebration special
Since suffering a severe stroke over a decade ago, Travis has had limited ability to communicate, dealing with aphasia and often needing the assistance of his wife Mary Travis in interviews. Still, his joy has always been apparent, and he was all smiles on the red carpet and in the audience for the Opry 100: A Live Celebration special on March 19.
He was especially moved when Carrie Underwood took the stage to speak about growing up on his music before performing two of his songs, the poignant "Three Wooden Crosses" and the love song "Forever and Ever, Amen." At the end of the second song, Underwood went into the audience and held out the microphone so that Travis could sing the final "amen" on his own, which he pulled off flawlessly. Underwood cried, Mary Travis cried...the only person not crying was Randy Travis!
RELATED: All the Celebrities Performing at the Opry's 100th Anniversary Live TV Special
The Opry makes everyone emotional
Thankfully, it's usually happy tears! During the Season 25 finale of The Voice, Reba McEntire surprised Lainey Wilson with an invite to become the newest member of the Opry.
“I have heard that I’ve inspired you and what you’ve done so far, and I am thrilled to death if I had anything to do with your career, ‘cause you are blowing it up,” McEntire told Wilson on stage in May 2024. “I couldn't be more proud to be the one that helps you continue to bridge the gap between our generations, keep ‘em all goin’. I’d like to be the person who invites you to be an official member of the Grand Ole Opry.”
Similarly, country band Little Big Town made The Voice Coach Kelsea Ballerini cry when they invited her to join... through song. “Yes!” Ballerini said. “It’s the greatest gift in the whole world, and this is the home of country music. And I get to be a part of it, which is crazy, so thank you!”
