Introduction
In April 2011, Carrie Underwood took the stage at the ACM Presents: Girls Night Out: Superstar Women of Country special and opened “How Great Thou Art” with a voice both delicate and reverent . As she rose through the hymn’s majestic melody, Vince Gill slipped in beside her, layering on golden harmonies that swelled with genuine warmth. Underwood’s Oklahoma roots and status as the only female Entertainer of the Year at that point lent extra depth to each line she sang, and Gill’s seasoned guitar solo offered a reverent pause before her triumphant return . The audience, already hushed by the gravity of the moment, leapt to their feet by the song’s end—many wiping away tears as the last notes faded.
This rendition did more than move hearts; it rocketed to No. 1 on iTunes’ Top Gospel Songs and cracked the Top 40 all-genre list within hours of airing. It also debuted at No. 2 on Billboard’s Christian Digital Songs chart and No. 35 on the Country Digital Songs chart, underscoring the hymn’s crossover appeal. Critics and fans alike still cite this duet as one of country music’s finest collaborations, a rare moment when technical mastery and heartfelt sincerity aligned perfectly.
The song itself carries a storied legacy: penned by Stuart K. Hine in the mid-20th century as an English adaptation of a Swedish hymn, “How Great Thou Art” has been embraced by legends from Elvis Presley to Mahalia Jackson. Underwood and Gill’s interpretation honored that tradition while infusing it with contemporary resonance—a bold choice for an awards special that paid tribute exclusively to women in country music. By inviting Gill onstage, Underwood acknowledged the collaborative spirit at the heart of the genre, reminding viewers that songs of faith and hope unite artists and audiences across generations .
Watching the performance today still sends a chill through the spine, as each crescendo feels both grand and deeply intimate. It’s a reminder that, in country music, raw emotion and technical prowess aren’t mutually exclusive—they’re the perfect duet.