In 1994, the iconic country legend Martina McBride surprised fans with her rendition of Hank Williams’s classic gospel song “I Saw the Light” during the 1994 Grand Ole Opry.
“I Saw the Light” was originally released by Hank Williams in 1948. The song is about praising and thanking God for always guiding people through dark times. Since many listeners could relate to its meaning, it instantly became one of Hank Williams’s greatest hits.
Although the song didn’t have an instant commercial success upon its release, it was later on recognized as a staple hymn we hear in churches today.
Over the years, known country artists have released their covers of the song—Bill Monroe in 1958 and Merle Haggard in 1971. Martina McBride’s version, in particular, was more upbeat compared to the original and had that honky-tonk beat to it. With her high vocal range and country pop style, her performance became unforgettable.
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What’s more interesting is that this was her first time performing with her dad Daryl Schiff on the big Grand Ole Opry stage – a dream they both wished to fulfill since Martina was young.
Before her performance, she mentioned that her dad was the reason why she fell in love with country music. McBride’s father, who happens to have a band, became her single biggest influence, teaching her all the country classics and giving her a great foundation in country music at a very young age.
That is why McBride decided to include her father in probably one of the biggest events in her musical career. As McBride sings the first line of the gospel song, her father, together with the musical band, hypes the whole performance even more as they play their respective instruments, giving the audience a powerful performance.
So, if you missed Martina McBride’s upbeat rendition of Hank Williams’s classic gospel song “I Saw the Light,” you can watch the whole performance below.
