While Carrie Underwood's CMA Awards performance of "Softly and Tenderly" was emotional, a case could be made that several other country covers of the song are as good or better.
Linda Ronstadt was one of the first true multi-genre female superstars, and her impact on country music is so great that she ranks No. 23 on Taste of Country's list of Country Music's Most Powerful Women of All Time.
Linda Ronstadt is one of several musical icons who will be honored for her lifetime of achievements in the music industry. Ronstadt is the latest artist to be announced as a recipient of a 2016 Special Merit Award from the Recording Academy.