Randy Travis is undeniably a legend in county music. The 66-year-old North Carolina native is a Grand Ole Opry member, is enshrined in the Country Music Hall of Fame, and has a star on the iconic Hollywood Walk of Fame, per his web site. He has all the trappings of a true icon. So when he pronounces someone outstanding, people listen. Travis had a major stroke twelve years ago. He still stands tall as a leading figure in the genre.

Per Country Now, his wife, Mary, said via WUOB, what Travis thinks of another exceptional country artist, Carrie Underwood. They have a remarkable professional history together. Eighteen years ago, Underwood recorded Travis’s hit, “I Told You So.” Then the two teamed for a duet of the tune that was so sensational it earned them a Best Country Collaboration Grammy.

The American Idol victor and current judge sang “I Told You So” at the Grand Ole Opry in 2008. That was three years after Underwood’s memorable Idol win. Following her appearance on the Opry stage, “Travis surprised her with an invitation to become a member of the Opry family,” per the outlet. They even sang the song on Idol as an unforgettable duet.

Per the outlet via WUOB, Mary Travis said, “Carrie and Randy have had such a fun history ever since she was on American Idol. She re-cut ‘I Told You So,’ and their duet won a Grammy Award. Randy said Carrie Underwood has one of the greatest voices in country music; her and Trisha Yearwood. Randy’s the one that invited Carrie to be a member of the Opry.”

At the televised Opry 100 Anniversary gala, Underwood sang another Travis classic, “Forever and Ever, Amen.” She movingly gave Travis, who was seated in the audience, the chance to speak the song’s final word, “Amen.”

Mary Travis recalled it fondly. “The producers of the show wanted to do this. We didn’t know how things were going to pan out, but Carrie did it so naturally. I think it shocked everybody when Carrie walked down. I think it’ll go down in history as one of those timeless moments. She has a heart of gold. I’m tickled to death they broadcast it. So many things that go on in Nashville should be chronicled like that, but seemingly get lost forever.”