"Say amen, everybody!" Ronnie Milsap’s exhortation helped to create a modest church feel at the Grand Ole Opry House Sunday as a bevy of country music’s greatest shot the GAC special How Great Thou Art: Gospel Favorites From The Grand Ole Opry.
Hosted by Nan Kelley, the evening included Vince Gill’s spare rendition of a black spiritual, "Give Me Jesus"; Charlie Daniels’ animated version of "I’ll Fly Away"; and Trace Adkins’ bluesy take on "Wayfaring Stranger." Carrie Underwood turned in a big-voiced rendition of "How Great Thou Art" in a parade of stars that also featured Dierks Bentley, Sara Evans and Loretta Lynn, who earned three standing ovations.
The special dovetails with an RCA album, likewise titled How Great Thou Art: Gospel Favorites From The Grand Ole Opry, that also features performances by Alan Jackson, Brad Paisley, Patty Loveless, Ricky Skaggs, the Whites and Mac Powell, of the Christian band Third Day.
The album reaches stores Feb. 5. The special debuts on GAC at 7 p.m. Feb. 9.