In 2011, Carrie Underwood sang it on national TV, and people are still talking about it.
It happened during ACM Girls Night Out: Superstar Women of Country, a special that honored the women of country music, including the great Loretta Lynn. Reba McEntire, Martina McBride, Miranda Lambert and the Judds were all part of the night.
When Carrie came to center stage, she first thanked the women around her. “I don’t know what country music would do without them,” she said. “I know we’re all so lucky to have all of us doing what we love to do the most.”
Then she turned to Vince Gill, who stood beside her with his guitar.
“You opened the floodgates,” she told the audience. “I hope I can make it through this.”
She did more than make it through.
Vince played softly and stayed in the background, letting Carrie carry the hymn. She starts gently, “O Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder,” and then builds and builds. By the time she reaches the last chorus, her voice fills the whole room, holding the high notes for what seems like forever.
You can see the emotion on her face as she fights back tears.
The performance silenced the crowd, and it still gives people chills today.
It is one of those performances that is even better the second time you watch it. And the third.
Is “How Great Thou Art” one of your favorite hymns? Share this with someone who loves it too.
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