CARRIE UNDERWOOD BREAKS DOWN MID-SONG IN HEART-SHATTERING TRIBUTE: Her Tearful Performance of Softly and Tenderly at Country Music Awards Honors Fallen Legends and Vegas Victims—Audience Left SOBBING in Standing Ovation

In a moment that left the entire Country Music Awards frozen in emotional silence, Carrie Underwood delivered what she later called “the most special performance” of her life. Taking the stage to perform the classic hymn Softly and Tenderly, Underwood honored country music legends Glen Campbell, Troy Gentry, and Don Williams. But as images of the 58 victims from the Route 91 Harvest Festival shooting flashed on the giant screen behind her, Carrie’s voice began to tremble, her eyes welled up, and she quietly wiped away tears mid-performance. The final note barely left her lips before the crowd rose in thunderous ovation.

Don’t miss this unforgettable tribute—watch the full performance that moved a nation and shook the industry to its core.

The singer delivered an emotional performance during the “in memoriam” tribute at the annual country music awards show.

Carrie Underwood delivered an emotional performance Wednesday, paying tribute at the Country Music Association Awards to industry artists who died in the past year.

The singer sang the traditional hymn “Softly and Tenderly” to honor numerous country music performers, including Glen Campbell, Troy Gentry and Don Williams, while an “in memoriam” video payed homage to them on a large screen behind her.

Underwood choked up toward the end of her performance as the screen showed photos of the 58 people who were killed last month when a gunman opened fire at the Route 91 Harvest Festival in Las Vegas.

Underwood co-hosted the CMA Awards with fellow country star Brad Paisley. The pair opened the program with a heartfelt message to the Las Vegas victims, along with those who lost their lives in last weekend’s church shooting in the Sutherland Springs, Texas. They also honored victims from hurricanes in Florida, Texas and Puerto Rico.

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

Paisley said the show was dedicated to “all those we’ve lost and all of those still healing.”

“The way we see it, the best way to honor our fans is to play our music, loud and proud,” he said. “Our music lifts people up and that’s what we’re here to do.”