Randy Travis brings CMA Awards crowd to tears 3 years after having a stroke

The 50th Annual CMA Awards started off with an emotional moment on Wednesday when Randy Travis brought the star-studded in memoriam performance to a close with the tear-jerking final note.

Travis suffered a stroke in July of 2013 and underwent brain surgery. At the time, his wife said that the country singer was told that he had a 1-2 percent chance of survival.

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Travis' condition has been steadily improving since then.

When he appeared on stage, the crowd immediately got to its feet, with stars like, Miranda Lambert and Thomas Rhett being shown with tears in their eyes.

The emotional moment closed an incredibly rousing medley of hits that honored fallen country stars from the past year like Merle Haggard. The performance featured appearances from hosts Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood, as well as Clint Black, Vince Gill, Alan Jackson Reba McEntire and Charlie Daniel, among others.

See photos from the CMAs 2016 red carpet:

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