Country music legend Randy Travis delighted the audience at Sunday’s Academy of Country Music Awards with a surprise appearance two years after suffering a devastating stroke, People reports. The icon stood and quietly acknowledged the audience’s thunderous applause.

Country star Lee Brice paid tribute to the Travis, early in the show when he played a verse of his hit “Forever and Ever, Amen,” then introduced the recovering legend to a stunned audience.

“That classic tune won song of the year in 1985 and the man who sang it has made an amazing comeback to be with us tonight. Ladies and Gentlemen, the great Randy Travis,” Brice announced as the crowd broke out into cheers.

Travis, who was seated in the audience, stood up and made a sweet gesture to the crowd with a little wave and several head nods.

“Randy’s history with the ACM awards goes back over two decades,” said Mary Davis, Travis’s wife, statement to People. “With the awards in Dallas and celebrating 50 years, it’s something Randy and I would not miss.”

“Great to have you with us, Randy!” Brice continued, and then presented the Song of the Year award to Miranda Lambert for her hit “Automatic.”

Travis has made few public appearances since 2013, when he suffered a stroke following complications from viral cardiomyopathy and congestive heart failure.

The country legend posted a letter to his fans on Sunday following his ACM appearance, offering thanks for their support and providing an update on his condition.

“It was an amazing gift to feel all of the love from you tonight,” Travis wrote. “It has been a hard fought and miraculous journey since my stroke two years ago, and I have gained a greater understanding of God’s grace and how quickly events can change us.”

“Words can never express my gratitude to those who continue to believe in me, pray for me, and keep me lifted up in thought and deed,” he continued.

“The power of music remains a source of inspiration and healing for me,” he also wrote. “It is my prayer that, with continued healing, one day soon, I will be back on that stage exchanging music with my fans…my friends, who with God’s amazing grace, have brought me this far.”