They don’t miss.
Several weeks ago, the annual Kennedy Center Honors ceremony took place in Washington, D.C., which recognized the King of Country Music alongside cultural icons like KISS, Sylvester Stallone, Broadway actor Michael Crawford, and disco legend Gloria Gaynor.
As I’m sure you’ve heard, the building was recently renamed the Trump-Kennedy Center, and while President Donald Trump didn’t participate in the Kennedy Center Honors during his first term, he has become much more involved with the organization in his second term, even appointing country artist Lee Greenwood to the board. President Trump appointed himself as chair, while revamping the organization by bringing in an entirely new (not woke) group to run the Kennedy Center.
Many of us probably mostly know of the Kennedy Center, formerly known as The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, because of the annual Kennedy Center Honors event that inducts a new group of artists and entertainers each year.
Located in Washington, D.C., it’s a living memorial to President John F. Kennedy, and notable country acts who have been honored over the years include legends like Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, Loretta Lynn, Merle Haggard, George Jones and many more.
Of course, several country acts were there to celebrate The King, including Miranda Lambert who did a flawless rendition of “Run,” as well as Brooks & Dunn, who performed “Amarillo by Morning.”
“Amarillo by Morning” was released in 1982, becoming a hit from his Strait from the Heart record after it peaked at #4 on the Billboard U.S. Hot Country Songs, and has obviously remained a timeless country standard ever since. Perhaps his most popular song of all time.
Strait previously called it his “most favorite song,” and while he has 60 #1 hits to his name, but shockingly, this wasn’t one of them… which is a cryin’ shame, but I digress:
“My most favorite song I’ve ever recorded, and it was big in the dance halls, people always requested it. This one’s called ‘Amarillo By Morning.’ I love singing it.”
Ronnie Dunn is truly one of the most talented vocalists in the genre even still, and I loved hearing them on such a classic like this. Both Brooks & Dunn and Miranda did an incredible job with their performances, and I think they picked the perfect people to honor the music and legacy of one of the genres most iconic artists.
It’s really not easy to cover George Strait and do it really well, but Brooks & Dunn are beyond pros who will probably find themselves as honorees at the Kennedy Center one day, so I’m not surprised that they absolutely nailed it.
The full ceremony will air tonight on CBS, in addition to streaming in Paramount+, and while this is only a portion of their performance, it’s perfection and I can’t wait to see the full video:
“Amarillo by Morning”
