Trisha Yearwood sweetly broke an agreement she made with husband Garth Brooks when she accepted the Icon Award on the historic Ryman Auditorium stage in Downtown Nashville, Tennessee.
Yearwood received the award, alongside producer Tony Brown, during the 17th ACM Honors. The show took place last month and aired on Tuesday evening (September 24). The icon Award goes to an artist or industry professional who “has advanced the popularity of the genre through their contributions in multiple facets of the industry, such as songwriting, recording, production, touring, film, television, literary works, philanthropic contributions, and other goodwill efforts,” according to the Academy of Country Music.
Though Yearwood said she and Brooks made a promise not to “say sappy things” about one another during acceptance speeches, she opted to make an exception when she received the Icon Award.
“Of course, y’all know I’m married to an icon, and he and I, we agreed a long time ago that we were not gonna say sappy things about each other on stage,” Yearwood said as the audience laughed. “So, I’m not gonna do that. But if I was gonna do that, I would say that he is — he’s the love of my life. It has been and continues to be the grandest adventure of my life to share it with him. But I’m not gonna say that because we’re not supposed to say that. I love you.
“Everybody’s got a story, but mine started with songwriter Kent Blazy, who introduced me to aspiring artist Garth Brooks, who introduced me to legendary producer Allen Reynolds, who introduced me to legendary producer Garth Fundis, who became my mentor and my producer,” Yearwood continued. “Together, Garth Fundis and I — I know it’s very confusing (that) there’s more than one Garth — we did a showcase for several record labels, and it was at Douglas Corner Café. and it was standing out on the sidewalk on 8th Avenue down there with my mom and dad and Tony Brown, who said ‘let’s do this.’ It was t hat. You said those three words, and I realized in that moment that I was just gonna have the chance. I had no idea how it would turn out, but I knew I was gonna have the opportunity to be a part of this amazing family of country music. And that’s all I really ever wanted to be. it took a whole lot of folks believing in me, and I’m just grateful. I’m humbled. I’m gonna — I’m not really a crier, but I guess I am now. I’m honored to be a part of this community. Thank you.”
Emmylou Harris and Lauren Alaina teamed up to perform “The Song Remembers When” in Yearwood’s honor. The evening also included performances by Jason Aldean, Lee Ann Womack, Vince Gill and Ashley McBryde, hosts Jordan Davis and Carly Pearce, and more. Brooks shared a heartfelt tribute “the ICONIC” Yearwood after the show. Watch the performance in Yearwood's honor here: