Carrie Underwood Pays Heartfelt Tribute to Robin Kaye and Thomas Deluca With Touching Acoustic Performance
In the wake of the tragic loss of American Idol music supervisor Robin Kaye and her husband, musician Thomas Deluca, the music world has been mourning. But in the quiet heart of Nashville, one of Idol’s most beloved voices offered a moment of healing: Carrie Underwood honored the couple in the most meaningful way she could — through song.
At a private candlelight memorial attended by close friends, colleagues, and former Idol contestants, Underwood performed a moving acoustic version of “I Told You So” — the Randy Travis ballad that marked a defining moment in her own Idol journey and was later recorded as a duet with Travis. Her stripped-down rendition felt less like a performance and more like a whispered farewell — intimate, raw, and full of emotion.
No Speech, Just Song
There were no grand introductions, no long speeches. Carrie quietly took the stage and said only, “This one’s for Robin and Tom. I hope they’re listening.”
Then she began to sing.
“Suppose I called you up tonight and told you that I loved you…
Would you say I told you so?”
With each verse, her voice — delicate and trembling — echoed through the room. The song’s themes of enduring love and words left unsaid struck a deep chord, leaving many in silent tears.
More Than Music Industry Veterans
Robin Kaye wasn’t just a key figure behind the scenes at American Idol. She helped shape some of the show’s most iconic performances, known for her sharp ear and compassionate approach to guiding artists.
Her husband, Thomas Deluca, was a seasoned musician and songwriter, recently celebrated for his 2022 album Street Rock, which reflected on his early musical roots. The two had been partners in life and creativity for over 40 years — described by friends as “inseparable,” “soulmates,” and “the kind of people who made others feel safe.”
A Tragic Ending
Authorities say that on July 10, the couple walked in on an intruder during a burglary at their Encino home. A confrontation followed, and both were fatally shot. The suspect, 22-year-old Raymond Boodarian, reportedly had no known ties to the couple. The senselessness of the act has left those who knew Robin and Tom stunned and heartbroken.
Fans have begun leaving flowers and handwritten notes outside their home, and a public vigil is planned later this week in Los Angeles.
A Farewell Through Music
Carrie Underwood’s performance didn’t attempt to explain the unexplainable. It simply offered what music sometimes does best — a space to feel, to remember, and to mourn together.
She later posted a short message: “They gave so much. This was the least I could do.”
In a moment when words failed, her song said it all. A quiet, powerful reminder that love — even in grief — has a way of being heard.