Carrie Underwood’s Heartfelt “Softly and Tenderly” Performance at the CMA Awards Honors Over 35 Country Legends

Carrie Underwood Leads Heartfelt Tribute at the 51st CMA Awards

The 51st Country Music Association Awards in 2017 was a night heavy with emotion, as the country music community gathered to honor the many legends and loved ones they had lost that year. Over 35 influential figures were remembered, including icons like Tom Petty, Glen Campbell, Gregg Allman, and Troy Gentry—artists whose impact on country music remains immeasurable.

Carrie Underwood, co-hosting the show alongside Brad Paisley for the tenth consecutive year, opened the evening with words that set a reflective and heartfelt tone:

“This has been a year marked by tragedy, impacting countless lives, including so many in our country music family,” she said.
“So tonight, we’re going to do what families do: come together, pray together, cry together, and sing together, too.”

A Moving Tribute Through Song

Later in the evening, Underwood—dressed elegantly in a flowing white gown—stood under a soft glow of candlelight and delivered a breathtaking performance of the gospel hymn “Softly and Tenderly.” Behind her, a slideshow of the late country music legends played, their faces a bittersweet reminder of the lasting mark they had left on the genre.

The moment was both tender and powerful, bringing tears to the audience and offering a sense of healing through shared grief and remembrance.

Honoring More Than Just Musical Legends

As Underwood’s emotional performance came to a close, she turned her attention to another heartbreaking loss—the victims of the Route 91 Harvest Festival shooting in Las Vegas, where 58 lives were tragically taken. Her tribute expanded beyond the country music family to honor the broader community, making the moment even more profound.

The 2017 CMA Awards became more than just a ceremony—it was a night of remembrance, resilience, and unity. Through song and shared emotion, Carrie Underwood and the country music community reminded everyone that even in the face of profound loss, the bonds of love and music endure.