Carrie Underwood will be gracing the Idol stage once again on Wednesday, March 18. To make it an epic evening, Reigning ACM and CMA Male Vocalist and Grand Ole Opry member Brad Paisley will be performing during that same show. American Idol will feature a Grand Ole Opry theme March 17 & 18, as contestants will select and perform songs popularized by Opry members.

Brad will debut his new single, "Then," performing it for the first time on national television. The first single from his upcoming American Saturday Night album (due out June 30), "Then" will also be commercially available as a digital single at your favorite online music store, just in time to coincide with his performance on Idol. Carrie will perform her current hit single "I Told You So" with fellow Opry member Randy Travis, who will also be participating as Idol's "Opry" mentor for the show's contestants. Carrie's version of this 1988 #1 classic by Randy Travis can be found on her Carnival Ride album, and fans will soon be hearing another version on the airwaves as a new studio recording pairing Carrie and Randy arrives at country radio next week.

"I am so excited that two of my musical passions, American Idol and the Grand Ole Opry, are joining together to create a really special week of music," says Carrie. "I am always thrilled to return to the Idol stage, and am so proud to this time be bringing with me one of my heroes, Randy Travis. I knew the Opry first, but Idol gave me my start and helped lead me to the Opry stage. It's a great feeling to be able to help bring these two worlds together."

Carrie Underwood made her first live performance on the Grand Ole Opry on June 10, 2005, just two weeks after winning American Idol. Her love for the Opry started as a child as she grew up watching and listening to the show, dreaming of one day performing there and even becoming a member herself. She was invited to become a member by Randy Travis in March 2008 and her official induction took place on May 10, 2008 by Opry member Garth Brooks.

These Grand Ole Opry episodes air on FOX Tuesday, March 17 at 8/7c and Wednesday, March 18 at 9/8c.

Did you love Carrie's new AI goodbye song on last night's episode? Find out more about it!