Carrie Underwood’s Emotional Performance of “Softly and Tenderly” at the CMA Awards Pays Tribute to More Than 35 Country Icons

The 51st Annual Country Music Association Awards in 2017 unfolded as an evening rich with deep emotion, as the country music community gathered not just to celebrate, but to honor and remember those they had lost throughout the year. More than 35 influential figures were memorialized during the show, including legendary names like Tom Petty, Glen Campbell, Gregg Allman, and Troy Gentry—artists whose profound contributions had left an everlasting impact on the heart and soul of country music.

Carrie Underwood, who once again shared hosting duties with Brad Paisley for their tenth consecutive year together, set a somber and unifying mood right from the beginning. Standing before the crowd, her voice steady yet full of emotion, she offered words that captured the gravity of the evening and the strength of the country music family during challenging times.

“This has been a year marked by tragedy, impacting countless lives, including so many in our country music family,” Underwood said to a silent audience. “So tonight, we’re going to do what families do: come together, pray together, cry together, and sing together, too.” Her words resonated deeply, setting the stage for a night where remembrance took center stage over celebration.

As the evening unfolded, one performance stood apart for its raw beauty and emotional gravity. Later in the broadcast, Underwood appeared under a halo of soft candlelight, dressed in a flowing white gown that reflected the purity and sincerity of the moment. She began a stunning rendition of the beloved gospel hymn “Softly and Tenderly,” her voice both delicate and soaring, carrying a sacred weight that filled the room with reverence.

While Underwood sang, a slideshow of country legends who had recently passed away was projected behind her. Each face, from Glen Campbell to Don Williams, illuminated on the screen one after another, serving as a poignant reminder of the remarkable lives that had shaped country music. Audience members could be seen wiping away tears, sharing a collective grief that transcended words.

Underwood’s voice carried not just melody but deep emotion, resonating with a room heavy with memories. The heartfelt tribute became more than just a performance—it transformed into a communal act of mourning and remembrance, offering a moment of healing for a grieving audience who found comfort in the music that had always been there for them through life’s joys and sorrows.

In a powerful extension of the tribute, Underwood turned the focus to an even broader tragedy—the victims of the Route 91 Harvest Festival shooting in Las Vegas. As her performance drew to a close, the screen shifted to honor the 58 individuals who lost their lives during that horrific event. The transition was seamless, yet devastating, as the ceremony expanded its embrace beyond the country music legends to include everyday fans whose lives were cruelly cut short.

By doing so, Underwood transformed her performance from a traditional awards show moment into a solemn act of collective memory. The emotional weight of honoring both legendary artists and devoted fans gave the evening a sense of unity that transcended the walls of the arena, binding the entire country music community together in shared sorrow and solidarity.

The 2017 CMA Awards ultimately became more than a glamorous celebration of chart-topping success; it evolved into a night of resilience, reflection, and remembrance. Through her heartfelt delivery, Carrie Underwood reminded everyone that while the world might change and heartbreak might strike, the love within the country music family—and its ability to heal through song—would never fade.

Even years later, Underwood’s performance of “Softly and Tenderly” continues to stand as one of the most moving moments in CMA history, remembered for its sincerity, its power, and its unwavering tribute to those who paved the way. It remains a reminder that, in country music, legends never truly leave—they live on in every note, every memory, and every heart they once touched.