Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood’s CMA Awards Performance Reminds Us Why They’re Country Music Royalty
When it comes to unforgettable moments in country music, few performances can rival the electric chemistry between Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood. And their joint appearance at the 2016 CMA Awards was the perfect reminder of why fans can’t get enough of this iconic duo — both as artists and as husband and wife.
A Journey Through Country’s Greatest Classics
At the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Brooks and Yearwood treated the CMA audience to a spellbinding medley that paid tribute to some of the most beloved songs in country music history.
They opened with the fiery “Jackson” by Johnny Cash and June Carter, telling the story of a couple trying to reignite the spark in their marriage. With flawless harmony and playful energy, the performance instantly captivated the crowd.
From there, the duo flowed into an emotional tour of timeless tracks:
- “I Beg Your Pardon (I Never Promised You a Rose Garden)” – Lynn Anderson
- “Don’t Close Your Eyes” – Keith Whitley
- “Golden Ring” – George Jones and Tammy Wynette
The performance ended on a deeply personal note — with a kiss that sent the audience into an uproar.
“I Just Wanted to Eat Her Alive”
After the show, Brooks told PEOPLE magazine:
“I’ve wanted to do that for a hundred years. Usually we just bow, but this time… I just wanted to eat her alive! I thought she did so well, and she was so gorgeous. Honestly, I thought the cameras were off us — that’s why I did it!”
It wasn’t just a kiss. It was the most genuine, unscripted moment of the night — and one fans will never forget.
A Night of Honors and Heart
As if the show-stopping performance wasn’t enough, the evening took another emotional turn when Garth Brooks was named CMA Entertainer of the Year — an honor he first received 25 years earlier.
“You raise your babies, step away, and come back… and people still show up. The level of gratitude is beyond words.” — Garth Brooks
With 11 CMA Awards and multiple Entertainer of the Year wins, Brooks is a legend in his own right. But so is his wife: Trisha Yearwood made history by becoming the first woman since Mary Chapin Carpenter to win CMA Female Vocalist of the Year two years in a row — in 1997 and 1998.
Why Garth & Trisha Are Still the King and Queen of Country
Their 2016 CMA medley wasn’t just a performance — it was a celebration of country music’s golden era, a tribute to those who came before them, and a reminder that some voices only get better with time.
Garth and Trisha’s love, their passion for music, and their respect for country roots make them more than entertainers — they are country music’s beating heart.