Garth Brooks Reveals James Taylor Sang His Song During ‘Kennedy Center Honors’

Author Nancy Brooks // Country Writer, Beasley Media Group

May 25th, 2021 10:49 AM

This past weekend was full of emotional moments for Garth Brooks who was celebrated as a Kennedy Center Honoree along with Dick Van Dyke, Joan Baez, Debbie Allen, and more.

The special will air on TV next week (6/6) and while Garth doesn’t want to give the whole show away, there was one moment in the musical tribute to him, that he just had to share.

Garth said on Studio G, “[They said] ‘This guy inspired Garth to pick up a guitar and start singing.’ And I’m like, ‘You’re so full of…’ because that guy was James Taylor, right? ‘Ladies and gentleman, please make welcome…James Taylor.’ Oh my gosh! You talk about caught me by surprise! I looked over, and The Queen’s [Trisha Yearwood] smiling ear-to-ear.”

Brooks continues, “And he steps up there in that James Taylor style…and he’s brought background vocals! And I’m like, ‘Holy crap! What’s he going to do that has background vocals?’ And he starts in…(Garth sings a line or two of ‘The River’)…except he’s playing the smart chords…kinda cool things. And it’s fabulous.”

The Kennedy Center Honors airs on June 6, 2021, on CBS.

Garth Brooks Top 30 Songs

30. “What She’s Doing Now”
Share
A song Garth himself co-wrote from the 'Ropin’ The Wind' album. It was released in December of 1991.
29. “That’s the Way I Remember It”
Share
From 'In the Life of Chris Gaines' (as Chris Gaines) Album. Yeah, people make fun of the project, but so many of the songs on it were solid.
28. “Why Ain’t I Running”
Share
Released in 2003 from Brooks’ 'Scarecrow' album.The song peaked at number 24 on the Billboard Country Singles chart.
27. “People Loving People”
Share
Garth is so good at songs that bring people together and this is one of them from his 2014 'Man Against Machine album.'
26. “She’s Every Woman”
Share
A romantic song from Brooks’ 1995 'Fresh Horses' album. It went to number one and is another one Garth co-wrote, this time with Victoria Shaw.
25. “Do What You Gotta Do”
Share
A song released in January of 2000 from his 'Sevens' album. It was a remake of a song recorded by New Grass Revival for their 1989 album 'Friday Night in America.'
24. “Lost in You”
Share
Another Chris Gaines classic and one I personally played over and over again. 'The Life of Chris Gaines' was released in 1999.
23. “Wrapped Up in You”
Share
A single released from Garh’s 'Scarecrow' album in 2001. Another great love song.
22. “It Don’t Matter to the Sun
Share
Call me crazy but this is another song from Garth’s 1999 'Chis Gaines' album and it’s just good no matter who he was pretending to be.
21. “Much Too Young (To Feel This Damn Old)”
Share
This is just a classic from Brooks’ debut album, released in 1989.
20. “Rodeo”
Share
The perfect song from the 'Ropin’ The Wind' album and a tribute to the rodeo riders including Garth’s good friend Chris LeDoux who passed away in March of 2005.
19. “American Honky-Tonk Bar Association”
Share
Aren’t we all members of this association? Just a great fun single from Garth. It was released on his 'In Pieces' album in 1993.
18. “Not Counting You”
Share
A two stepper perfect for dancing released from Brooks’ 1989 self-titled debut album.
17. “The River”
Share
A powerful song that tells a story from Garth’s 'Ropin' The Wind' album. The song was released as a single and went straight to the top in late 1992.
16. “Ain’t Goin’ Down (‘Til the Sun Comes Up)”
Share
A perfect stadium song and so much fun. This was a huge hit for Brooks in the summer of 1993.
15. “More Than a Memory”
Share
A solid hit written by Lee Brice, Billy Montana and Kyle Jaobs. It made history becoming the only country single to debut at number one on the Billboard Hot Country Singles and Songs chart.
14. “Dive Bar” (with Blake Shelton)
Share
A great song and collaboration between Garth and Blake Shelton. The underwater video was also a big hit. This song inspired a tour of dive bars for Brooks in 2019.
13. “The Thunder Rolls”
Share
The song’s video is quite dramatic showing Garth singing in the rain. The song’s subject matter is as strong and powerful as the song itself. Little known fact: The song was originally recorded by Tanya Tucker but she never released it.
12. “Two of a Kind, Workin’ on a Full House”
Share
An upbeat song about love from Garth’s 'No Fences' album.
11. “Shameless”
Share
A remake of a Billy Joel classic that Brooks definitely made his own.
10. “To Make You Feel My Love”
Share
Found on the soundtrack of the 1998 movie 'Hope Floats.' Written by Bob Dylan, Dylan gave it to Billy Joel to record for his 'Greatest Hits Vol. III." Dylan later recorded it himself, as did Garth. Trisha Yearwood did her own version (also on 'Hope Floats') and years later, Adele covered it as well.
9. “If Tomorrow Never Comes”
Share
A song well known to be a Garth classic from his debut album. The number one song was only his second single.
8. “Standing Outside the Fire”
Share
A timeless song about standing up for social justice.
7. “Callin’ Baton Rouge”
Share
A song released in 1994 and a thriller in concert. From the 'In Pieces' album, it charted number one on Billboard’s Hot CountrySingles and Songs chart.
6. “Papa Loved Mama”
Share
Call me dark, but this is one of my favorite murder songs about a truck driver not able to handle his cheating wife. It only went top five in 1992.
5. “Shallow” with Trisha Yearwood
Share
Garth and Trisha did a great version of the Bradley Cooper/Lady Gaga hit from their film 'A Star Is Born.'
4. “Unanswered Prayers”
Share
A tender ballad released in October of 1990. Yeah, it went straight to number one.
3. “We Shall Be Free”
Share
Probably my favorite song of Garth’s again bringing people together in what should be a fair and loving world.
2. “Friends in Low Places”
Share
Arguably Garth’s biggest hit and definitely the song that made him a superstar. Everyone loves this one from 'No Fences.'
1. “The Dance”
Share
One of the greatest songs of all time was right there on Brooks’ debut album released in 1989. The song’s video shows several American icons and examples of people who died for a dream.

Nancy Brooks has been working in the country music industry for almost 30 years. She has interviewed pretty much any country star you can think of. In the late 1990s, she started working with Dolly Parton. And yes, Nancy reports that Parton is as sweet as you would think. She loves her life in country music and has been backstage at every CMA Awards show since the late 1990s. Many of her stories are from her one-on-one interviews. She was there at the beginning of the incredible careers of many music superstars today, including Taylor Swift, Shania Twain, and Blake Shelton, and has interviewed them multiple times throughout the years.

Get The Country 102.5 Special Access Newsletter Sent To Your Inbox.

Enjoy the latest Country music, entertainment news, local happening you need to know, plus exclusive contests, games, and more!

By clicking "Subscribe" I agree to the website's terms of Service and Privacy Policy. I understand I can unsubscribe at any time.

Author Nancy Brooks // Country Writer, Beasley Media Group

Category:

Tags:

Garth Brooks

Latest News

Trending

Shows

Artist Interviews On Demand

Recently Played

More Podcasts

Galleries

Concert Rewind

Listen + Watch

Concerts + Events

Connect

Advertise With Country 102.5

Music News

Music News

Music News

Garth Brooks Reveals James Taylor Sang His Song During ‘Kennedy Center Honors’

Garth Brooks Top 30 Songs

30. “What She’s Doing Now”

29. “That’s the Way I Remember It”

28. “Why Ain’t I Running”

27. “People Loving People”

26. “She’s Every Woman”

25. “Do What You Gotta Do”

24. “Lost in You”

23. “Wrapped Up in You”

22. “It Don’t Matter to the Sun

21. “Much Too Young (To Feel This Damn Old)”

20. “Rodeo”

19. “American Honky-Tonk Bar Association”

18. “Not Counting You”

17. “The River”

16. “Ain’t Goin’ Down (‘Til the Sun Comes Up)”

15. “More Than a Memory”

14. “Dive Bar” (with Blake Shelton)

13. “The Thunder Rolls”

12. “Two of a Kind, Workin’ on a Full House”

11. “Shameless”

10. “To Make You Feel My Love”

9. “If Tomorrow Never Comes”

8. “Standing Outside the Fire”

7. “Callin’ Baton Rouge”

6. “Papa Loved Mama”

5. “Shallow” with Trisha Yearwood

4. “Unanswered Prayers”

3. “We Shall Be Free”

2. “Friends in Low Places”

1. “The Dance”

Get The Country 102.5 Special Access Newsletter Sent To Your Inbox.

Enjoy the latest Country music, entertainment news, local happening you need to know, plus exclusive contests, games, and more!

More Country 102.5