Garth Brooks & Trisha Yearwood Perform At Rosalynn Carter’s Memorial Service
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On November 28, Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood performed the Beatles song “Imagine” at the memorial service of Rosalynn Carter.
Former President Jimmy Carter’s wife, the incomparable Rosalynn Carter, passed away on Sunday, November 19th at the age of 96. A statement was released by The Carter Center on behalf of the family. The statement included a quote from President Carter, which read,
“Rosalynn was my equal partner in everything I ever accomplished. She gave me wise guidance and encouragement when I needed it. As long as Rosalynn was in the world, I always knew somebody loved and supported me.”
Rosalynn is survived by her husband of 77 years, their children Jack, Chip, Jeff, and Amy, as well as 11 grandchildren and 14-great-grandchildren.
99-year-old Jimmy Carter, who has been in hospice care for the last several months, attended her funeral.
And although he was unable to speak about the love of his life, their daughter Amy read a letter he wrote Rosalynn 75 years ago while he served in the Navy.
Rosalynn was beloved by many, including Garth and Trisha.
Garth and Trisha were close friends with the Carters and often worked with them during Habitat for Humanity’s annual Carter Work Project.
Recently, Brooks opened a bar in Downtown Nashville and was asked about Rosalynn’s passing at a press conference on November 24.
“This is going to be tough,” he said. “It’s tough. Ms. Yearwood called [Rosalynn Carter] her private warrior. Because if you ever got to hang around her… President Carter always steals the show. And then when it comes time for her to speak, she’ll walk to the mic and if you watch her, she won’t say anything for a few seconds. That’s how she was. And you’d just watch the crowd start to lean in. And then what she says is very quiet yet very powerful.”
He also shared a few lessons Rosalynn shared with Yearwood.
“What she taught Ms. Yearwood – who teaches us all – is that the lion doesn’t have to roar, and the statement doesn’t have to be more than a few words to get your point across. She was great at that. And everyone loved her for that,” he said. “A light has gone out that shines on how we should treat each other. But if we all pick that light up, maybe that light can grow instead of disappear.”
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Garth and Trisha performed at Rosalynn’s memorial on Tuesday (Nov. 28).
Brooks and Yearwood were asked to perform at Rosalynn’s service, and of course, they said yes. The couple walked on stage at Glenn Memorial Church in Northeast Atlanta with a few other musicians. Brooks plugged in his guitar and began playing the guitar introduction to “Imagine,” originally performed by The Beatles.
President Biden, First Lady Jill Biden, President Clinton, and former First Ladies Hilary Clinton, Laura Bush, Michelle Obama, and Melania Trump were seated in the first row paying their respects, and you can see them clearly as the camera pans to the crowd.
There wasn’t a dry eye after this incredible performance, which Yearwood took the lead on. Brooks came in for a few harmonies, but Yearwood’s soft soprano was perfect for the tribute.
Watch their performance below.
