Twenty years ago, Carrie Underwood took the Grand Ole Opry stage for the first time. Just 22 years old, she was fresh off her American Idol season 4 victory, when she became the first-ever country singer to win it all on the singing reality competition show. Three years later, another dream came true when Randy Travis surprised her on the Opry stage with an invitation to join the cast of the show. No doubt, Carrie Underwood is one of the Opry’s most celebrated winners, so it made sense to see the “Jesus, Take The Wheel” singer behind the mic at NBC’s Opry 100: A Live Celebration.

Carrie Underwood Sets Social Media Ablaze With ‘Opry 100’ Performance

Back in 1925, a founder of National Life and Accident Insurance Company convinced the company to launch its own radio station: WSM, named for their slogan “We Shield Millions.” Building a small studio in downtown Nashville, WSM went live for the first time on Oct. 5, 1925.

A month after WSM’s first show, National Life hired prominent announcer George D. Hay, known for his National Barn Dance program at WLS in Chicago. Hay launched the WSM Barn Dance with Uncle Jimmy Thompson, a 77-year-old fiddle player, on Nov. 28, 1925. Thus, the Grand Ole Opry was born.

On Wednesday (March 19) Carrie Underwood joined a roster of country music A-listers, including Reba McEntire and Brad Paisley, for NBC’s Opry 100: A Live Celebration. In a callback to her own 2008 induction, the Idol champion performed two of Randy Travis’ songs: “Three Wooden Crosses” and “Forever and Ever, Amen.”

In one of the night’s most tender moments, Underwood walked over to Travis himself in the audience and handed him the mic for the final “Amen.”

“Randy Travis, everybody!” she exclaimed.

Travis has limited his public appearances since a near-fatal stroke in 2013 left him diagnosed with aphasia, which severely affects his ability to communicate. Fortunately, the smile glowing from his face as he soaked in the applause required no words.

Carrie Steps into Her Confidence

Performing onstage during NBC’s Opry 100: A Live Celebration, Carrie Underwood practically radiated confidence. However, this was certainly not always the case for the 16-time ACM Award winner.

“I just wish I was smoother. I never know what to say,” Underwood previously told country writer Nancy Brooks. “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.”

Dolly Parton is speaking out following the death of her husband, Carl Dean.

“This is a love note to family, friends, and fans. Thank you for all the messages, cards, and flowers that you’ve sent to pay your respects for the loss of my beloved husband Carl,” Parton, 79, wrote via Instagram on Thursday.

“I can’t reach out personally to each of you but just know it has meant the world to me. He is in God’s arms now and I am okay with that,” she continued. “I will always love you.”

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The “9 to 5” singer announced Dean’s death in a statement via Instagram at the time.

“Carl Dean, husband of Dolly Parton, passed away March 3rd in Nashville at the age of 82. He will be laid to rest in a private ceremony with immediate family attending. He was survived by his siblings Sandra and Donnie,” the post read.

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Adding her own words, Parton shared, “Carl and I spent many wonderful years together. Words can’t do justice to the love we shared for over 60 years. Thank you for your prayers and sympathy. The family has asked for privacy during this difficult time.”

Parton’s sister, Stella Parton, also opened up about her brother-in-law’s death. The 75-year-old penned on X, “On behalf of my sister Dolly, our family and Carl’s family we appreciate your prayers at this time.”

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Dean and Parton were together for 58 years before his death on March 3 in Nashville.

In 1982, the icon told People, “Carl is the one man in my life. I would love to grow old with him. If he should die first, I may never marry again. My love is that deep.”

Talking about keeping their love out of the public eye, Parton told People in 2019, “He’s always supporting me as long as I don’t try to drag him in on it. He’s always been my biggest fan behind the scenes, but he’s at home.”

In May, she told E! News that it was “important to have someone there in your corner.”

“And you know they’ll love you for just who you are,” she gushed. “There’s a great comfort in knowing that someone loves you exactly for who you are — because he fell in love with me before I became a star.”

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“To him, I’m his star,” Parton said, adding that the balance has “worked for us because we both do different things and it’s exciting when we are together.”

For 100 years, the Grand Ole Opry has featured some of the world’s greatest country music artists.

To celebrate this iconic century, the Grand Ole Opry has decided to host a star-studded celebration.

Some of the artists featured this year include Ashley McBryde, Post Malone, Reba McEntire, Randy Travis, Eric Church, Trace Adkins, Amy Grant, and many more.

Carrie Underwood Becoming A Grand Ole Opry Member

Among the artists performing is Carrie Underwood, who has been an Opry member since she was surprised by Randy Travis and invited to join on March 15, 2008.

This was three years after her American Idol win in 2005. During her performance, Randy Travis walked up behind her to surprise both her and the audience. At the time, he was at the height of his stardom, and the audience immediately stood in recognition of his presence.

Carrie Underwood was taken aback by their reaction and turned around to see Randy Travis, her expression reflecting shock.

He informed her that he had been chosen to officially welcome her into the Grand Ole Opry.

In response, she jokingly said, “Let me think about it,” before agreeing. As the moment sank in, tears welled in her eyes, and she began to cry.

Randy Travis embraced her and shared the official date when she would become a Grand Ole Opry member.

After the event, Carrie Underwood humorously noted that everyone had kept the surprise tightly under wraps.

Relive the special moment below.

Carrie Underwood Honored Randy Travis

In a beautiful full-circle moment, Carrie Underwood stepped on stage at the Opry 100 celebration wearing a stunning black dress, the same color she wore 17 years ago when Randy Travis surprised her by informing her that she would be an official member.

This time, the roles were reversed as Carrie Underwood honored Randy Travis with a heartfelt tribute.

Underwood began her performance with a short speech, expressing how she has looked up to Travis since she was a child.

“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.”

She then performed two of his greatest hits, starting with “Three Wooden Crosses.” During this performance, the camera captured the audience, revealing that many, including Randy Travis’s wife, Mary Davis, were brought to tears by the emotional moment.

Afterward, she sang one of Randy Travis’s biggest hits, “Forever and Ever, Amen.”

Near the end of the song, she walked out into the audience, allowing Randy Travis to sing the final “Amen.” This is a remarkable achievement, considering he suffered a stroke many years ago.

When she concluded her tribute performance, the entire audience gave her and the iconic singer a standing ovation.

Here’s a brief clip from the performance below.

Reba McEntire experienced an unthinkable tragedy when eight members of her band lost their lives in a plane crash on March 16, 1991.

The group had just wrapped up an event in Southern California to promote Reba’s album Rumor Has It. As their twin-engine Hawker Siddeley jet departed San Diego, the wing clipped an outcropping of rock on the side of Otay Mountain, causing it to crash into the terrain and explode on impact.

Reba reportedly stayed behind by the recommendation of her then-husband Narvel Blackstock, who encouraged her to rest as she was recovering from bronchitis. She had planned to meet her band in Fort Wayne, Indiana, the following day. Narvel would later have the grueling task of calling the family members of the deceased to tell them the news.

Fiddler Chris Austin, band leader Kirk Cappello, keyboardist Joey Cigainero, backup singer Paula Kaye Evans, bassist Terry Jackson, drummer Anthony Saputo, guitarist Michael Thomas, tour manager Jim Hammon, and the two pilots operating the plane were all lost in the crash.

Days after the incident, Reba told People Magazine:

“By far this is my darkest hour, the most awful thing that ever happened in my life. When you have eight people that you absolutely love and their lives are just wiped out – it’s devastating.” 

Reba Pays Tribute To Her Late Band Members

Not a year goes by when the “Fancy” singer does not honor the memory of her friends and bandmates. Six months after the tragedy, she released an album titled For My Broken Heart, dedicated to her lost comrades. The album was one of the most successful of her career – selling four million copies.

In 2015, Reba visited the site of the crash and reflected:

This year, on the 34th anniversary of the crash, she shared a simple and heartfelt message on her social media pages. It read:

“Always in our minds, thoughts, and prayers no matter how many years have passed. Love and miss you all.” 

Watch the video for Reba McEntire’s emotional song “For My Broken Heart” below. 

For an entire week in September 2017, Miley Cyrus appeared on every episode of The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon to promote her brand new album, Younger Now.

She participated in games, musical performances, and interviews in each episode. On the Wednesday, October 4th episode, Cyrus and Fallon sang a duet that will have you doing a double take.

Paying tribute to Cyrus’ godmother, Dolly Parton, and her frequent duet partner Kenny Rogers, the duo sang “Islands in the Stream” dressed like the country legends.

Fallon first walked out on stage in a tuxedo, gray wig, and fake gray beard, looking eerily similar to The Gambler himself. Not long after Fallon’s entrance, Cyrus walked out, looking bustier than usual, wearing a gorgeous black dress with a sky-high blonde wig.

Not only did Cyrus and Fallon fit the part musically and with their outfits, but the set was also quite similar to one that Parton and Rogers performed back in the 1970s

Dolly and Kenny released “Islands In The Stream” in 1983. It was written by the Bee Gees—Barry, Robin, and Maurice Gibb—and produced by Barry Gibb. The song was originally intended as an R&B song for Marvin Gaye, but it transformed into a country-pop masterpiece under the vocals of Kenny and Dolly. The track became a monumental hit, topping both the Billboard Hot 100 and the Country charts, and solidified the pair’s legendary status in the music world.

Rogers saw their performance, and absolutely approved of it, saying, “Jimmy Fallon and Miley Cyrus make a great duet…perhaps we’ll let them go on the road in place of us! I thoroughly enjoyed it.”

Did you enjoy their duet as much as we did? Let us know in the comments. Watch it below.

IT looks like The Voice star Sir Tom Jones might need  some extra factor as he lounges in the sunshine.

The singing legend, 78, showed off his bronzed body after taking off his shirt for a quick tanning session at the  Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc in the South of France.

 

But he swapped basking in the sunlight for limelight last night as he performed at an Aids research charity gala in Cannes.

Mariah Carey, 49, and Dua Lipa, 23, were also due on stage at the star-studded bash — but Sir Tom didn’t pale in comparison.

 

 

Introduction

Dolly Parton’s rendition of “But You Know I Love You” showcases her incredible talent for interpreting songs with emotional depth and sincerity. Released as a part of her 1980  album “9 to 5 and Odd Jobs,” the song highlights Parton’s ability to blend country elements with pop sensibilities, reaching a wide audience and affirming her status as a versatile artist.

Originally written by Mike Settle, “But You Know I Love You” had been a hit for several artists before Parto made it her own. Her version of the song became particularly popular, demonstrating her skill in making a well-known track resonate with new meaning and emotion.

About The Composition

• Title: But You Know I Love You
• Composer: Mike Settle
• Premiere Date: 1980 (Dolly Parton’s version)
• Album/Opus/Collection: 9 to 5 and Odd Jobs
• Genre: Country, Pop

Background

“But You Know I Love You” was first recorded by the First Edition in 1968, a group that included composer Mike Settle. The song quickly gained popularity, reaching the Top 20 on the Billboard Hot 100. Over the years, it was covered by various artists, each bringing their unique interpretation to the track. Dolly Parton’s version, released in 1980, further elevated the song’s status, making it a staple in her discography. Her rendition reached number one on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart, a testament to her ability to connect with listeners through her heartfelt delivery.

Musical Style

Dolly Parton’s version of “But You Know I Love You” incorporates a blend of country and pop elements, characterized by her distinctive vocal style. The arrangement features a smooth melody with rich instrumentation, including  guitar and strings, which complements the emotive lyrics. Parton’s interpretation adds a layer of warmth and sincerity, enhancing the song’s appeal.

Lyrics/Libretto

The lyrics of “But You Know I Love You” explore themes of love and longing, detailing the complexities of relationships and the emotional challenges faced when separated from a loved one. The song’s narrative conveys a heartfelt message of reassurance and devotion, resonating with anyone who has experienced the pain of distance.

Performance History

Dolly Parton’s version of “But You Know I Love You” has been performed on various platforms, including television appearances and concerts. Her live performances often emphasize the emotional depth of the song, allowing audiences to connect with its poignant message. Notably, her rendition became a highlight during her tours in the 1980s, further solidifying its place in her repertoire.

Cultural Impact

The song’s enduring popularity is reflected in its continued presence in media and cover versions by other artists. Dolly Parton’s interpretation has influenced subsequent musicians, contributing to the song’s legacy as a classic. Its themes of love and longing have made it a favorite in both country and pop music circles, showcasing Parton’s impact on the genre.

Legacy

Today, “But You Know I Love You” remains an important part of Dolly Parton’s musical legacy. Its timeles appeal and emotional resonance continue to captivate listeners, ensuring its place in the annals of country music history. Parton’s ability to transform and elevate the song speaks to her enduring influence as a performer and artist.

Conclusion

Dolly Parton’s rendition of “But You Know I Love You” is a testament to her talent as both a singer and interpreter of songs. Her unique ability to convey emotion and connect with audiences has left a lasting impact, making the song a beloved classic. I encourage you to explore this track and discover the depth of feeling that Parton brings to her music.

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Lyrics

(Mike Settle – Pierre Delanoe)

When the mornin’ sun streaks across my room

And I’m wakened up from another dream of you

Yes, you know I’m on the road once again it seems

All that’s left behind is a chain of broken dreams.

But you know that I love you

You know that I love you

Oh, I love you.

And how I wish that love was all we’d need to live

What a life we’d have ’cause I’ve got so much to give

But ya’ know I feel so sad down inside my heart

That the dollar sign should be keepin’ us apart.

But you know that I love you

You know that I love you

Oh, how I love you,

And if only I could find my way back to the time

When the problems of this life had not yet crossed my mind

And the answers could be found in children’s nursery rhymes

I’d come runnin’ back to you.

But you know we can’t live on dreams alone

Got to pay the rent so I must leave you all alone

But you know I made my choice many years ago

And now this travelin’ life, well, it’s the only life I know.

But you know that I love you

You know that I love you

Oh, I love you.

But you know that I love you

You know that I love you

Oh, how I love you.

It might come as a surprise, but the two country music queens had never collaborated on a song together. In 2021, the legends joined forces to cover “Does He Love You” the classic duet originally sung by McEntire and Linda Davis, released in 1993.

The track, written by Sandy Knox and Billy Stritch, is about the wife and mistress of a man, singing to each other, asking: “Does he love you, like he loves me?” McEntire and Parton’s version was a single off of The Voice Coach’s 2021 three-disc compilation release, Revived Remixed Revisited. The song was a hit with fans and debuted in the Top 50 of Billboard‘s Country Airplay Chart.

“It turned out really good,” Parton told Andy Cohen on Watch What Happens Live back in July 2021. “I have always wanted to sing with her and I don’t know why we never did it until now. But we really sounded good together and I think the fans are going to like it.”

About their duet, McEntire said, “It’s amazing that we’ve never done a duet. We’ve never [sung] together. I’ve gone on programs to sing for her, and she’s done that for me. But to never sing a song together is kinda weird.”

Not only did McEntire and Parton collaborate on the song together, they also filmed a music video for it. In the clip, the two of them meet up in a club together, sitting at a table, each with a drink in their hand as they sing to one another, before eventually taking to the club’s stage for the song’s emotional ending.

“My favorite part of shooting the video with Dolly was getting to visit with her in between shots,” The Voice Coach continued. “Second was singing with her. But to get to hang out and just visit like girlfriends was so much fun… I loved the play acting we got to do. [At first] we were women at odds, and not liking each other. But by the end we were like ‘Ah you can have him, I don’t want him.’ It was a lot of fun.”

Will the two legends reunite for another project in the near future?

“We did talk about doing more stuff together, and I hope that happens, because I loved working with her,” McEntire added. “She’s a professional, she’s fun, funny, witty. I could sit and listen to her talk all day long.”

Introduction

There’s something magical about a Dolly Parton song, isn’t there? Her music has this way of wrapping around your heart, like a warm hug on a cold day. Forever Love is no exception—it’s a tender, heartfelt ballad that feels like a love letter to the kind of connection that stands the test of time. Whether you’re a lifelong fan of Dolly or just discovering her music, this song has a way of speaking directly to your soul.

At its core, Forever Love is about enduring love—the kind that weathers every storm, grows stronger with each passing year, and remains unshaken by life’s ups and downs. Dolly’s voice, as always, is rich with emotion, carrying the weight of every word she sings. You can feel the sincerity in her delivery, as if she’s lived every lyric herself. It’s not just a song; it’s a story, a promise, and a reminder of the beauty of commitment.

What makes Forever Love so special is its simplicity. The melody is gentle and timeless, allowing the lyrics to take center stage. It’s the kind of song that makes you want to slow down, close your eyes, and think about the people in your life who mean the most to you. It’s perfect for weddings, anniversaries, or even quiet moments of reflection when you’re feeling sentimental.

Dolly has always had a gift for writing songs that feel deeply personal yet universally relatable, and Forever Love is no different. It’s a testament to her ability to capture the essence of human emotion in just a few verses. The song reminds us that love isn’t just about the grand gestures—it’s about the little moments, the quiet assurances, and the unspoken understanding that binds two people together.

If you’re a fan of Dolly’s classic hits like I Will Always Love You or Jolene, you’ll find that Forever Love carries that same emotional depth, but with a softer, more intimate touch. It’s a song that feels like it was written just for you, and that’s the magic of Dolly Parton—she makes every listener feel seen, heard, and loved.