LAST NIGHT AT THE GRAND OLE OPRY, THIS WASN’T JUST A PERFORMANCE
Carrie Underwood didn’t simply sing — she summoned the women who built country music. From the ache of Patsy Cline, to the fire of Reba, to a soul-shaking “A Broken Wing” that felt like Martina herself was in the room. The Opry fell silent. People wiped their eyes. Even legends backstage couldn’t hold it together. When Carrie hit the final note, tears streamed down her face — and the stage felt sacred. Like the voices before her were standing there, lifting her up. No one left the same.
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Carrie Underwood’s Unforgettable Tribute to Country Music Legends at the Grand Ole Opry
The Grand Ole Opry has long been the sacred heart of country music, a stage where legends are born and histories are honored. For Carrie Underwood, a proud Opry member since 2008, the iconic circle on the Opry House floor represents more than just a performance spot—it’s a connection to the trailblazing women who paved the way. One of her most powerful moments came during the 2020 Academy of Country Music Awards, broadcast from the empty Grand Ole Opry House amid the pandemic. There, Underwood delivered a breathtaking medley tribute celebrating the Opry’s 95th anniversary, channeling the spirits of icons like Patsy Cline, Reba McEntire, and Martina McBride in a performance that left virtual viewers in tears.
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Underwood, who skyrocketed to fame after winning American Idol in 2005, has always paid homage to her influences. She has cited artists like Patsy Cline, Reba McEntire, Martina McBride, Dolly Parton, Loretta Lynn, and Barbara Mandrell as heroes who inspired her powerhouse vocals and resilient spirit. In that 2020 ACM performance, she stood alone on the historic stage, dressed in a stunning red gown, and introduced the medley with heartfelt words: “Patsy and Loretta, Martina and Barbara, Reba and Dolly. These strong voices mean so much to me and to all the other female artists who stand on their shoulders. They are some of my heroes, and I am so honored to stand alongside them as a fellow member of the Grand Ole Opry.”
What followed was pure magic. Underwood seamlessly transitioned through classics, starting with the soft, haunting ache of Patsy Cline’s “Crazy,” capturing Cline’s emotional depth and vulnerability. She then shifted to the fiery defiance of Loretta Lynn’s “You Ain’t Woman Enough (To Take My Man),” followed by Barbara Mandrell’s playful “I Was Country When Country Wasn’t Cool” and Dolly Parton’s upbeat “Why’d You Come in Here Looking Like That.” The energy built with Reba McEntire’s dramatic storytelling in “The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia,” before culminating in a soul-stirring rendition of Martina McBride’s “A Broken Wing.”
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It was the finale on “A Broken Wing” that truly shattered hearts. Underwood poured everything into the empowering anthem about breaking free from abuse, hitting soaring notes with raw intensity. Even without a live audience due to COVID-19 restrictions, the performance felt profoundly intimate, as if the ghosts of those legendary women were present, lifting her voice. Viewers at home reported wiping away tears, with many describing it as “hallowed ground”—a moment where Underwood didn’t just sing; she channeled the strength, pain, and triumph of her predecessors.
The emotional weight was amplified by the context: an empty arena during uncertain times, yet Underwood’s voice filled the void with reverence and power. Fans and critics alike praised it as one of the night’s highlights, with comments flooding social media about grown men crying and the room feeling “still” in awe. Barbara Mandrell herself tweeted her gratitude, and the performance went viral for its authenticity and vocal prowess.
This tribute wasn’t a one-off; Underwood has a history of emotional Opry appearances. More recently, in 2025, she moved audiences to tears again during the Opry’s 100th anniversary celebrations with a touching tribute to Randy Travis, who inducted her into the Opry years ago. But the 2020 medley remains iconic for honoring female pioneers, reminding everyone of the unbreakable lineage in country music.
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Underwood’s connection to these songs runs deep. As a young girl in Oklahoma, she idolized these women, and now, as a multi-Grammy winner and mother, she carries their torch. Her rendition of “A Broken Wing” especially resonates, blending McBride’s original fire with Underwood’s signature belts. It’s a song about resilience, much like Underwood’s own journey—from small-town dreamer to country queen.
In a genre often dominated by stories of heartbreak and strength, Underwood’s tributes bridge generations. They honor the past while inspiring the future, proving that on the Opry stage, something bigger than a concert can happen: legacies come alive, emotions run raw, and audiences—whether in seats or at home—leave transformed.
These moments underscore why the Grand Ole Opry endures. It’s not just wood and lights; it’s the echoes of voices like Cline’s ache, Reba’s fire, and McBride’s soar, revived through artists like Underwood who sing with their whole souls.
