ACM and CMA Female Vocalist of the Year Carrie Underwood was invited to become the newest member of the Grand Ole Opry on March 15th during a sold out show. Underwood will be formally inducted into the Opry family on Saturday, May 10th.

Photo courtesy Opry.com

During Opry Live on GAC (Great American Country), Underwood sang “I Told You So”, a cut from her latest album, Carnival Ride, originally written and recorded by Opry member Randy Travis. As Underwood accepted a standing ovation from the crowd, Travis, himself, surprised her on stage. Hugging a shocked and emotional Underwood, Travis said, “That’s a better performance than I will ever do of that song. Thank you. I’m honoured.”

Travis went on to congratulate the artist who is on top of the charts this week with her single “All-American Girl” on having celebrated her 25th birthday earlier in the week. “To end your birthday week, I was asked by the management here at the Grand Ole Opry to come out here and ask you if you would like to be their next member,” he said.

“Let me think about it,” Underwood playfully smiled before immediately responding “yes!” wiping tears from her eyes. After regaining her composure, Underwood said to the crowd before launching into her song “Crazy Dreams”, “This is one of the best nights of my life, and it’s certainly something I’ll never forget. And I’m glad each and every one of you were here to share it with me. This has been absolutely amazing!”

Underwood made her Grand Ole Opry performance debut on June 10th 2005, just two weeks after winning American Idol. Her love for the Opry started as a child as she grew up watching and listening to the show, dreaming of one day performing there and even becoming a member herself.

“It was fun doing the little sneaking up behind her… and watch and the audience up front see their response first and then her look like ‘Huh, what going on?’ It was great,” said Travis.

For more information on Randy Travis, visit his YMZ artist page.