Trisha Yearwood’s Powerful Tribute to Linda Ronstadt Leaves the Entire Room in Tears

The Kennedy Center Honors is always an emotional celebration, but at the 42nd annual event in 2019, the night took on an even deeper meaning as Trisha Yearwood took the stage to honor Linda Ronstadt—a trailblazer in both country and rock music.

Yearwood performed Ronstadt’s iconic hit “You’re No Good,” and the moment was nothing short of breathtaking. In the audience, Garth Brooks—Yearwood’s husband—watched with pride, visibly moved as his wife delivered a heartfelt tribute to one of her biggest inspirations.

The performance hit especially hard, knowing that Ronstadt, now 73, is no longer able to sing due to a rare form of Parkinson’s disease. As soon as the music began, tears welled in her eyes, and by the end, she was on her feet, applauding through tears with a tissue in hand.

Others in attendance—Rita Wilson, Kevin Jonas, and many more—sang and clapped along, fully immersed in the magic of the moment. Yearwood wasn’t done, either. She returned to the stage alongside R&B legend Aaron Neville to perform “Don’t Know Much,” the Grammy-winning duet Neville originally recorded with Ronstadt in 1990.

A Dream Fulfilled for Trisha Yearwood

After the event, Yearwood took to Instagram to reflect on the night.

📸 In one photo, she’s seen speaking with Ronstadt herself:
👉 “It’s really hard to sing a Linda Ronstadt song in front of Linda Ronstadt!” she wrote. “To be a part of honoring Linda at the Kennedy Center last night was a lifelong dream fulfilled. Thank you, Linda, for teaching me through your life and music to trust myself and follow my instincts. I love you.”

She also shared a candid moment from dinner with Ronstadt and Emmylou Harris, writing:
👉 “Having dinner with legends and friends! Surround yourself with women that inspire you and you realize that you can achieve anything you put your heart and soul into. I love these women so much!”

Carrie Underwood and More Join the Tribute

Carrie Underwood also paid tribute to Ronstadt, performing stunning covers of “Blue Bayou” and “When Will I Be Loved.” On the red carpet, she spoke about Ronstadt’s impact:
👉 “One of the things I always admired about her is her ability to do whatever she wants. She always broke the rules and sang music that she felt like was true to her.”

A Night of Legends

Alongside Ronstadt, the 2019 Kennedy Center Honors also celebrated Earth, Wind & Fire, Sally Field, Sesame Street, and conductor Michael Tilson Thomas.

But it was clear that Linda Ronstadt’s tribute stole the show, with Trisha Yearwood’s performance serving as a beautiful reminder of how music can transcend time, illness, and even silence—leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire.