Carrie Underwood: Oklahoma Tribute on CMT Tonight

By Emma Koonse, Christian Post Reporter Wednesday, June 05, 2013

Carrie Underwood will pay tribute to the victims of the unprecedented tornado season in Oklahoma during this year's CMT Awards.

Last month, the mile-wide tornado believed to be an EF-4 or EF-5 pulverized suburbs of Oklahoma City including the town of Moore, leveling structures with estimated 200 mph winds, leaving at least 24 people dead and thousands homeless.

Furthermore, over the past two weeks, numerous deadly tornados have ripped through Oklahoma and have claimed the lives of dozens more.

During Wednesday's CMT Music Awards, Underwood will perform her new single "See You Again" alongside choir members from Nashville's Christ Church, according to the Associated Press.

"The choir, I've never done that before and they just kind of take it to a whole ethereal place," Underwood said after rehearsing on Monday.

As the memorializing song takes place, viewers will be encouraged to donate to the Red Cross and will be directed on how to do so.

"We really wanted to do something really special with the song," said Underwood, according to CMT.com. "The song itself, I think, is really beautiful. I've heard the most incredible stories about how it's affected different people and what it means to them."

The country music star is the latest artist to pay tribute to the victims in Oklahoma. The state has seen an outpouring of support from the nation, including country music stars Blake Shelton, Miranda Lambert, Toby Keith, Ronnie Dunn and many others.

Moreover, Underwood recently donated $1 million to the Red Cross from concert proceeds.

The "Jesus Take The Wheel" singer is native to Checotah, about 115 miles east of Oklahoma City where tornados are common.

"Right now I feel like it's very timely," Underwood said of her upcoming performance, according to CMT.com. "There seems to be a lot of things happening where I'm from especially. I'm from Oklahoma. I really wanted to do a kind of tribute to them."

The CMT Music Awards will air live from Nashville's Bridgestone Arena at 8 p.m. EST. Underwood is nominated twice at this year's ceremony.

Watch a video of Underwood singing "See You Again" during a past live performance on YouTube here.