Carrie Underwood gave churchgoers a special surprise this weekend when she stepped up to the worship team at Rolling Hills Community Church in Nashville.
The country superstar joined the service and performed Hillsong Worship’s “What a Beautiful Name,” giving the congregation a chance to hear one of country music’s biggest voices in a completely different setting.
This is not the first time Underwood has taken part in worship at her church. Earlier this year, she performed during the Easter service, and she has also joined the congregation for special events in the past. During the church’s Christmas concert, she surprised members by performing classic holiday songs, including her beloved version of “How Great Thou Art.”
Considering Underwood’s busy schedule, it is always a special moment when she has time to join the worship team. But for fans who have followed her career, seeing her perform Christian music should not be surprising.
Faith has been an important part of Underwood’s life and music for years. She made that especially clear with her 2021 gospel album, My Savior, which featured her versions of well-known hymns and Christian songs.
The project became a major success, earning Underwood the Grammy Award for Best Roots Gospel Album at the 64th Annual Grammy Awards. The win marked her eighth Grammy Award and added another major achievement to her career.
Her latest church performance has already left fans wondering whether it could lead to another gospel project. Underwood’s powerful voice has always been a natural fit for this type of music, and another collection similar to My Savior would likely be welcomed by longtime fans.
But worship music is only one part of Underwood’s busy schedule this year.
The singer was recently confirmed to return for another season as the voice behind the opening theme for Sunday Night Football. The upcoming season will mark her 14th consecutive year performing the iconic football anthem.
The new opening will also have a different look from last year. Instead of focusing primarily on her Las Vegas performance, the latest video will take viewers into a recording studio, a smaller and more intimate music venue and a packed stadium.
Underwood has described the new version as a celebration of the “heart of rock ’n’ roll,” something that fits her musical personality particularly well.
“This year’s show open welcomes Sunday Night Football into my ongoing rock star fever dream,” Underwood said. She also praised the team behind the production for creating a version that brings a fresh energy to the famous song.
“It’s one of my most favorite opens yet!” she added.
Underwood’s love of rock music is no secret, so the new direction should come as little surprise to fans.
A first look at the upcoming opening was shown during the recent Pro Football Hall of Fame Game, giving viewers a short preview of what is coming.
Fans will get to see the full version when Sunday Night Football returns on September 13. The opening will air on NBC before the season’s first game between the Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants.
Between leading worship at church and preparing to return to one of the biggest television openings of the year, Underwood continues to show just how many sides of her musical career she can bring to the stage.