Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood paid tribute to the late George Jones and Tammy Wynette while celebrating 100 years of the Grand Ole Opry.
“100 years of country music, that’s some rich history right there. You talk about the history of country music there is going to be a question coming up in the first five minutes, ‘Who is the greatest singer in country music?’ You’re going to ask 100 different people you’re going to get 100 different answers. But for me, it’s who it always was and who it always will be: George Jones,” Brooks, 63, told the crowd during the Wednesday, March 19, Opry 100: A Live Celebration special at the iconic venue in Nashville, Tennessee. “When you talk about great country music someone’s going to ask, ‘What’s the greatest country song ever?’ People, be right there in the magic moment when fate actually paired what could possibly the greatest country song ever written with teh greatest voice to ever grace country music.”
Brooks then jumped into a cover of Jones’ “He Stopped Lover Her Today” before welcoming Yearwood, 60, on stage to sing Wynette’s “Your Good Girl’s Gonna Go Bad.” Brooks and Yearwood then proclaimed that Jones and Wynette were better when they were “together” and finished the medley with a passionate performance the pair’s famous duet “Golden Ring.”
Blake Shelton hosted the live event, where Jelly Roll, Ashley McBryde, Reba McEntire, Carly Pearce, Keith Urban and more also took the stage to pay tribute to country music icons such as Johnny Cash, June Carter Cash, Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn, Dolly Parton and Crystal Gayle.
Brooks and Yearwood are both Opry members, with their inductions taking place in October 1990 and March 1999, respectively. Like Jones and Wynette, Brooks and Yearwood, who have been married since December 2005, are considered one of the most notable couples in country music history.