Randy Travis Returns To The Iconic Stage
This year, the Grand Ole Opry is hosting Opry 100: A Live Celebration, commemorating the institution’s 100 years of Country Music gold.
The official website says, “It’s going to be a star-studded night as country music’s biggest icons come together on our stage to celebrate 100 years of the show that made country music famous.”
This year, the artists performing include: Garth Brooks, Trisha Yearwood, Reba McEntire, Carrie Underwood, Jelly Roll, Eric Church, Dierks Bentley, Randy Travis, Ashley McBryde, Carly Pearce, The War & Treaty, Vince Gill , Amy Grant, Clint Black, Trace Adkins, Marty Stuart, Alan Jackson, Post Malone, Alison Krauss & Union Station, Yolanda Adams, Ricky Skaggs, Terri Clark, Steven Curtis Chapman, and Jamey Johnson.
With a special appearance by Randy Travis.
Randy Travis’s History With The Grand Ole Opry
Before Randy Travis became a household name, the iconic country singer made his debut on the Grand Ole Opry stage. On March 7, 1986, he was invited by Little Jimmy Dickens to perform there. Travis sang Hank Williams’ classic “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry,” stunning the audience with his remarkable voice and stage presence.
Just three months later, he released his debut album, Storms of Life, which quickly became a hit.
As a result of his success, Travis was officially inducted as a member of the Grand Ole Opry on December 20, 1986. He was introduced by Ricky Skaggs and performed his No. 1 hit, “Diggin’ Up Bones,” from his debut album.
Recently, the singer returned to the stage to announce a biopic about his life named after one of his big hits, “Forever and Ever, Amen.”
Watch his recent announcement below.
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Randy Travis Surprised by Carrie Underwood
17 years ago, Randy Travis surprised Carrie Underwood by asking her to become a member of the Grand Ole Opry. You can watch the adorable moment in the video below.
Carrie Underwood returned the favor and honored Randy Travis by performing two of his hit songs, “Three Wooden Crosses” and “Forever and Ever, Amen,” during the Opry 100 celebration.
Before singing Randy Travis’s songs, Underwood expressed her appreciation for the iconic singer in a short speech.
She said, “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. 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.”
Watch the sweet moment below.