The Grand Ole Opry’s 100th-anniversary celebration was held at the historic Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee, bringing together a star-studded lineup of A-list country artists.
The “Opry 100: A Live Celebration” honored the rich legacy of country music and the iconic artists who have graced the Opry stage. While several country stars were in attendance, the notable absence of the Grammy-nominated singer left fans wondering.
Post Malone and Ashley McBryde took to the stage at the Grand Ole Opry’s 100th-anniversary celebration on Wednesday, March 19, delivering a heartfelt tribute to Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash. Their stirring performance of the iconic 1967 duet “Jackson” was a highlight of the night.
However, one notable absence left fans wondering. Jelly Roll, who was initially set to perform alongside McBryde, had to cancel his appearance due to illness. His last-minute withdrawal paved the way for Post to step in, joining Ashley for the special duet.
While fans missed Jelly Roll’s presence, Post’s passionate performance with Ashley ensured the tribute remained a memorable part of the night.
Furthermore, the choice to pay tribute to Johnny and June held extra significance, as the legendary couple famously met backstage at the Grand Ole Opry in 1956 before tying the knot 12 years later.
Married for 35 years, the iconic couple created timeless duets like “Jackson” and “If I Were a Carpenter.” Their enduring love story came to a heartbreaking end in 2003, with June passing away from surgical complications.
Johnny died a year later due to complications from diabetes. Their son, John Carter Cash, carries on their musical legacy as a singer-songwriter and producer.
Now, the “Opry 100: A Live Celebration,” held at the historic Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee, honored the legacy of country music and the stars who have graced the Opry stage. Blake Shelton hosted the evening, adding to the celebration’s charm.
The event paid tribute to the location’s century-long legacy with a star-studded three-hour concert. In addition to Post and Ashley’s emotional duet, the stage saw performances from legends like Garth Brooks, Trisha Yearwood, Reba McEntire, and Carrie Underwood.
Underwood delivered an emotional tribute to country legend Randy Travis. The heartfelt performance stirred online fans, leaving many emotional.
Taking the stage at the “Opry 100: A Live Celebration,” Underwood honored Travis with stunning renditions of his iconic songs, “Three Wooden Crosses” and “Forever and Ever, Amen.”
The most touching moment came at the end of “Forever and Ever, Amen” when Underwood approached Travis in the audience. With a warm smile, she handed him the microphone, inviting him to sing the final “Amen.”
@auntbee1977 This had me sobbing. I love them both. #grandoleopry #randytravis #carrieunderwood #music @Carrie Underwood ♬ original sound – 🐜AuntyBee🐝
His voice, despite past health challenges, resonated through the venue, evoking applause. “Randy Travis everybody,” Carrie Underwood proudly declared as she embraced the country music legend. The emotional exchange prompted a standing ovation from the audience, celebrating both artists and their shared history.
Following the performance, fans flooded social media with heartfelt reactions. One admirer praised her touching performance, “Carrie Underwood did a wonderful job here with Randy Travis Randy Travis has battled some health issues and for him to say AMEN like that, that’s incredible Carrie let Randy have the moment and shine I’ll always love Forever And Ever Amen [sic].”
Another fan was overwhelmed by the emotional tribute, saying, “Such a touching tribute to Randy Travis by Carrie Underwood… not a dry eye in the house when Randy sang, ‘Amen!'” The sentiment was echoed by someone else, “Not a dry eye in the venue or any home while watching that performance. She is such a classy woman, and Randy was just beaming! ❤️.”
The raw emotion of the moment touched countless hearts, with one viewer recalling, “She sang his songs so great and went over and gave him a hug. Tears in everyone!s [sic] eyes. So sweet.” More people praised Underwood, “Your tribute to Randy Travis was so beautiful! The smile on his face and then ‘Amen’ I’m still tearing up. Thank you!! Awesome! Well done! 💕.”
The special event, “Opry 100: A Live Celebration,” carried added significance for Underwood, as Randy Travis had welcomed her into the Grand Ole Opry family 17 years ago.
The moment became even more touching when Underwood closed her tribute with “Forever and Ever, Amen.” According to Travis’ wife, Mary Davis, the song holds a special place in their hearts.
“The song ‘Forever and Ever, Amen’ is all about love. It’s a universal song. It’s a beautiful song. It’s like the national anthem of country music,” she said.
Travis has paved the path to success for talented artists such as Underwood. He is widely credited as a key figure in shaping modern country music. His breakthrough in the mid-1980s marked the rise of the “new country” era, introducing a fresh sound that resonated with fans.
His 1986 debut album, “Storms of Life,” became a milestone in country music, achieving Platinum and Multi-Platinum status — a first for a debut country artist.
The album, featuring hits like “On the Other Hand,” “1982,” “Diggin’ Up Bones,” and “No Place Like Home,” sold over three million copies and earned a nomination for the Grammy Hall of Fame.
The album’s success earned Travis widespread recognition, leading to his induction into the Grand Ole Opry in 1986. His influence extended far beyond his music, inspiring future country superstars such as Alan Jackson, Brooks, Tim McGraw, Blake Shelton, and Toby Keith.
Over the years, Travis’s contributions to the genre have been celebrated with numerous honors, including a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2004 and induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2016.
Today, he remains one of the best-selling country artists of all time, with a lasting legacy in the world of country music. However, he has also faced challenges in his life journey, particularly health issues.
In 2013, Travis encountered a major health crisis when he was hospitalized with viral cardiomyopathy, a condition that weakened his heart. Shortly after, he suffered a stroke, which required emergency brain surgery to relieve pressure.
Travis spent several weeks in critical care, relying on a ventilator and mechanical heart support. Doctors gave the singer a less than 1 percent chance of survival, leaving Davis to search for answers over whether to take him off life support.
“And he laid there, and I just I saw this tear just fell. And it was, you know, one, two at a time. And I just went back to the doctors and I said, ‘We’re fighting this,” narrated Davis. Hence, despite the severity of his condition, Travis gradually recovered, showing signs of progress with the help of physical therapy.
His resilience and determination were evident as he regained strength, though his recovery journey continued for years. Throughout it all, his family, including his wife Davis, stood by his side, offering unwavering support.
According to Davis, for over two-and-a-half years, Travis dedicated himself to rigorous daily rehabilitation at his Texas home, determined to regain his strength after his stroke. While his physical progress was evident, the emotional toll of isolation weighed heavily on him.
Davis noted how Travis, who had always drawn energy from his interactions with fans and loved ones, struggled with the lack of social connection. “That’s what energized him, and I started seeing he wasn’t real happy not being in touch with people,” she shared.
In 2017, recognizing his need for connection, Davis organized a special meet-and-greet event for Travis. It gave him the opportunity to socialize with fans and feel their unwavering support.
Still, ten years after his stroke, Travis continued to face health challenges due to aphasia, a condition that affected his ability to speak, write, and communicate. Davis explained that the disorder significantly impacted his speech and singing abilities.
Despite this, she emphasized that Travis remained fully aware. “Oftentimes people think that Randy’s stuck up or won’t talk, but that’s not the truth. It’s just that he can’t, and I want people to understand that Randy understands everything, it’s just that he can’t communicate as effectively as he once did,” she divulged.
Today, Travis remains a symbol of perseverance. While the stroke left him with limited speech, he continues to make public appearances, inspiring fans with his enduring spirit and love for country music.
Now, twelve years after his stroke, Travis is making a return to the stage with “The More Life Tour.” The tour will feature over 30 shows across the country, with his original band and guest vocalist James Dupré.
Travis expressed his excitement for the upcoming performances, describing the opportunity as a cherished gift. Tickets went on sale to the public on Friday, March 7, giving fans the opportunity to witness the legendary singer return to the spotlight.
