Netizens have a lot to say about Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood’s tribute performance at a music event. While some swooned over their duet, others felt different, especially where Brooks was concerned.
On March 19, 2025, the Opry 100: A Live Celebration at Grand Ole Opry took place in Nashville, Tennessee. Some of country music’s biggest stars stepped out to attend the lively affair. Amid the musicians, country icons Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood collaborated to give a powerful tribute performance to fellow legends George Jones and Tammy Wynette.
Under the golden glow of the Grand Ole Opry stage, Yearwood stood poised and elegant beside her husband, her presence commanding yet effortlessly graceful. Dressed in a floor-length black gown that flowed with every movement, she radiated classic country glamour.
Draped over her shoulders was a rich, patterned shawl that added a regal touch, its intricate designs catching the stage lights as she sang.
Her blonde locks cascaded in soft waves, framing a face filled with warmth and expression, every note she delivered reflecting the passion she poured into the performance.
Dressed in classic Brooks fashion — denim jeans, a cowboy hat, and a dark button-up shirt — the country icon stood beside his wife, guitar in hand, embodying the spirit of traditional country music.
Together, Brooks and Trisha Yearwood took on “Golden Ring,” a song deeply embedded in country music history as a timeless duet by Jones and Wynette. Their voices intertwined seamlessly — Yearwood’s slightly higher pitch soaring over Brooks’ deep, steady alto tones, creating a harmony that felt both powerful and intimate.
The chemistry between them was undeniable, their shared love for the music and each other evident in every glance and lyric exchanged.
Behind them, images of Jones and Wynette flickered across the massive screen, adding emotional weight to an already stirring tribute. The couple sang with exuberance and confidence, embodying the spirit of the legendary duo they honored.
As the final chords rang out, Brooks removed his hat in a gesture of deep respect, and the audience erupted into applause.
Cheers filled the venue as attendees rose to their feet, giving the couple a well-earned standing ovation. It was a moment of pure country magic, cementing the night as one of the Grand Ole Opry’s most unforgettable milestones.
At a different point during the affair, Brooks took the stage solo for a deeply personal tribute to Jones, delivering a performance that was as raw as it was powerful.
As he strummed his acoustic guitar, his voice carried the weight of the song’s meaning, thick with emotion. His deep, resonant vocals filled the venue, each note dripping with heartfelt sincerity. The audience sat captivated, some visibly moved, their expressions reflecting the sheer intensity of the moment.
At times, Brooks closed his eyes, letting the music guide him as he leaned into the depth of the lyrics. Passion radiated from him with every chord, his voice swelling with might as he honored Jones’ enduring legacy.
The intimate, soul-stirring moment was captured by a fan on TikTok, who recorded a snippet of the performance on their TV.
@reydntplxy #CapCut ♬ GOT ME TRIPPIN – TisaKorean
Following their tribute performances, Brooks and Yearwood found themselves at the center of online discourse, with netizens quick to share their thoughts on both the duet and Brooks’ solo. While some heaped praise on the couple’s rendition of “Golden Ring,” others were less than impressed — particularly where Brooks was concerned.
Several critics expressed disappointment in Brooks’ vocal delivery, with one person lamenting, “I love Garth but he’s loosing [sic] his voice.”
Another went further, bluntly stating, “Ruined a classic.” Harsh words continued to pour in, with a fellow spectator declaring, “Barf butchered the best country song ever.”
Others took issue with Brooks’ stylistic choices, with one individual remarking, “Wish Garth would have just sang [sic] the song instead of trying to impersonate George.” Another pointed out what they perceived as an unpolished execution, noting, “He had to read the words to the song.. very obviously I might add. Trisha was great!”
Some viewers were more concerned about Brooks’ appearance and demeanor, questioning whether something was amiss. “Garth looks in very poor health. Needs to seek medical care,[sic]” one commenter observed. Another questioned his overall stage presence while complimenting Yearwood.
However, not all feedback was negative. Many fans lauded Yearwood for her vocal prowess, with one gushing, “Trisha, you singing with Garth was absolutely amazing. Best [sic] part of the show tonight!!”
Another echoed the sentiment, exclaiming, “This show is amazing! Duet with Garth so [sic] wonderful.” The mixed reactions underscored just how passionately fans felt about the tribute — whether in praise or criticism, the performance certainly left an impact.
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The couple’s widely-discussed tribute performance is not the first instance that Brooks received flak from the public.
When he and Yearwood performed together at former President Jimmy Carter’s funeral in January, he garnered strong opinions about his appearance from netizens, with some speculating he underwent a hair transplant, while others pointed to potential plastic surgery as the reason for his unrecognizable look.
Brooks and Yearwood, dressed in black ensembles, delivered a heartfelt rendition of the John Lennon-penned ballad, “Imagine,” at their friend’s funeral. Brooks took the lead on most of the song’s lyrics during the tribute to the former president, while he and Yearwood joined voices for the chorus.
The couple brought the song to life in a harmonious way. As the performance concluded, Brooks approached Yearwood and placed a gentle kiss on her cheek. His appearance at the solemn event sparked speculation among netizens, with many wondering if he had made changes to his facial features or hair.
One person couldn’t hide their shock, exclaiming, “Wait. Did he have major plastic surgery? To change his appearance maybe? He is unrecognizable.” Another chimed in with, “Garth Brooks doesn’t look like Garth Brooks anymore. Amazing what too much plastic surgery will do.”
Amused by the changes, one commenter joked, “Garth Brooks, the man of many faces. I never recognize that man. Every decade he changes it 😂.”
Some online viewers struggled to place him, with one admitting, “Almost didn’t recognize Garth.” Someone else with a similar sentiment wrote, “That was Garth Brooks … wow didn’t recognize him.”
People also speculated about his hair, with one pointing out, “Wait a minute! Garth Brooks has hair??? And is that really him? 🤔.”
Another person announced, “Garth has hair again.” Others thought they noticed signs of cosmetic procedures, “If that’s Garth Brooks, there’s been a lot of reconstructive surgery going on… Including a long stint at the hair farm.”
One person confidently observed, “Hair transplant for sure.” Meanwhile, another remarked, “Garth Brooks got a hair transplant wow huge [sic].” Someone else added more humor to the comments, “A haircut that can only be described as ‘black aerogel.'”
While Brooks and Yearwood felt the loss of their close friend, Carter, deeply, they found solace in performing his favorite song at the memorial. This was a piece they had also sung at the tribute service for Carter’s late wife, former First Lady Rosalynn Carter, in November 2023.
Carter had gushed about “Imagine” in a previous interview, sharing that it held a special place for him. He described it as his “favorite,” Beatles song. He noted that in various countries, including Cuba, the song had gained significance and was even embraced as an unofficial anthem in some places.
Carter also mentioned that in Havana, there is a statue of Lennon, symbolizing the song’s cultural impact. He observed that at various events, whether a folk performance, symphony concert, or modern American music gathering, “Imagine” was consistently played due to its universal appeal.
The late humanitarian enthused, “It’s one of my favorites just personally. If you listen to the lyrics closely, you’ll see that it’s against religion, it’s against national boundaries, it’s against nationalism, it’s against jingoism, but the impact it has on people is profound.”
In performing “Imagine,” Yearwood and Brooks honored their friend by celebrating a song that was deeply meaningful to him. The two had a close bond with the Carters, demonstrated by their involvement in the 2024 Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Week Project.
In performing “Imagine,” Yearwood and Brooks honored their friend by celebrating a song that was deeply meaningful to him. The two had a close bond with the Carters, demonstrated by their involvement in the 2024 Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Week Project.
Furthermore, they spent the former president’s 100th birthday building homes with Habitat for Humanity. The couple did this to embody the Carters’ legacy of service and commitment to the community. During this time, Carter was not in attendance as he was under hospice care at home.
Yearwood shared, “He definitely wants to know that we’re working and this is why we’re here. He has a legacy of service and he never stopped serving. He’s not physically standing here building, swinging a hammer, but we feel his presence and Ms. Rosalynn’s presence strongly.”
While many were amazed that Carter reached the age of 100, Brooks and Yearwood weren’t as surprised. They recalled how even at 90, Carter was already planning for the future.
“I remember being in Haiti and he’s 90 and he’s talking about what he is going to do in the next 20 years. I am not surprised!” revealed Yearwood.
Brooks also mentioned that it was deeply moving to see Carter attend his wife’s funeral. The country singers divulged that they learned valuable lessons in service and work ethics from the Carters. However, the most significant lesson was about love.
Brooks shared that the Carters’ ability to argue constructively brought them closer. He reflected on his own relationship with Yearwood and emphasized how overcoming challenges together now strengthens their bond.
Yearwood added, “And at the end of the day, we’re best friends. We actually enjoy each other’s company. I can’t imagine doing this build without [him]. I mean, we are a team and I think that’s definitely something we have learned from the Carters. They were a team.”
It is clear that Brooks and Yearwood cherished the Carters deeply. The couple will continue to honor their friends’ memory and the values they lived by.
