Reba McEntire and Trisha Yearwood's Iconic Duet at 'Opry 100: A Live Celebration' Stuns Fans — Video

The Grand Ole Opry's 100th anniversary was filled with star power. But one surprise performance stole the show and had fans calling for more.

Reba McEntire and Trisha Yearwood delivered a powerful duet at "Opry 100: A Live Celebration." The two country music icons took the stage to perform McEntire's 1991 hit, "The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia." Their performance captivated the audience, blending their signature vocals in a way that left fans in awe.

McEntire embraced the celebratory spirit with an elegant look. She styled her red hair in a high ponytail with soft bangs and accessorized with sparkling earrings. Her bejeweled jacket and matching boots added a touch of glamour.

Yearwood opted for a more understated yet classic style, wearing a flowing maxi dress with her blonde locks in loose waves. As they sang together, the energy in the venue was electric. The performance showcased their vocal chemistry and stage presence, reinforcing their status as two of country music's most celebrated artists.

Fans took to social media to express their admiration. One fan wrote, "You floored me! Absolutely beautiful and great tributes to two wonderful and the duet of Georgia with Trisha. ❤️❤️❤️absolutely perfection [sic]!" Another commented, "Great seeing the superstar duet! I love it."

Others praised their performance, with comments like, "Loved their part of the show" and "2 of the most glamorous country music stars ever." Some even suggested the two collaborate again, saying, "They totally need to sing a duet together." The event itself also received high praise, with one fan calling it "the greatest show in a very long time."

McEntire and Yearwood's duet wasn't the only moment that had fans talking. Ahead of the event, McEnitre took to X to encourage fans to tune in and watch the celebration. While her duet with Yearwood was a highlight, her solo performance became one of the most poignant moments of the night.

The "Fancy" singer honored country greats Patsy Cline and Loretta Lynn with a moving tribute, performing a cappella rendition of "Sweet Dreams (Of You)." The stripped-down performance showcased her powerful vocals and deep connection to country music's rich history.

As she sang, the venue fell silent, letting the emotion of the moment take center stage. McEntire's tribute served as a reminder of Cline and Lynn's lasting influence on the genre. The Opry 100: A Live Celebration event was a night of honoring country music's greatest voices.

For a century, the Opry has been a defining platform for country music, and the night paid tribute to its rich heritage. McEntire and Yearwood's duet was just one of many unforgettable moments that reinforced the genre's enduring appeal.

The event brought together some of the biggest names in country music. Yearwood's husband, Garth Brooks, also took the stage, delivering a special performance. Carly Pearce paid tribute to Dolly Parton, while Brooks and Yearwood teamed up again for a recreation of a classic George & Tammy duet.

Lainey Wilson and Marty Stuart joined forces for a Hank Williams classic, adding to the night's nostalgic feel. The lineup featured even more country stars, including Carrie Underwood, Ashley McBryde, Jelly Roll, Dierks Bentley, and more. Each artist contributed to the celebration, making it a true reflection of the Opry's lasting impact on country music.

Off the stage, Yearwood stunned on the red carpet in a black dress with shimmering details on the upper part. She paired the elegant look with black open-toe heels, posing for photos with confidence.

Despite radiating positive energy at the event, Yearwood has faced scrutiny in recent months. Earlier this year, she and Brooks found themselves in the spotlight for their performance at former President Jimmy Carter's funeral. Many criticized the choice of song, claiming they found it inappropriate for a church setting and a Christian funeral.

Brooks and Yearwood, who were close friends of Carter, sang a rendition of John Lennon's 1971 track "Imagine," at the Democrat's funeral. Their performance caused quite a stir online, with many fans voicing their opinions on the choice of song.

The firestorm on social media largely revolved around the song's lyrical rejection of religion. One of the most dividing verses sings, "Imagine there's no heaven, It's easy if you try, No hell below us, Above us only sky." Fans didn't love the idea of having these words sung in a church setting as they challenged the very values of the Christian funeral.

One fan expressed their disbelief, "Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood sing Imagine at a highly Christian funeral?!! How awful. Imagine there's no Heaven?? [sic]."

Another triggered fan criticized this decision, "Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood are performing 'Imagine' at Jimmy Carter's funeral. 'Imagine there's no heaven…' 'And no religion too …' I gotta wonder—who planned this? There's no worse song to sing at a funeral, except maybe 'Highway to Hell.' Sad. Pitiful, really [sic]."

Others took a hit at the song directly, writing, "Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood Singing the worst song ever written. 'Imagine' there’s no heaven. It's easy if you try. No thank you. What kind of funeral song is that?! [sic]" More users questioned the song's appropriateness, "Why would you sing this song at a Christian funeral? Weird."

One user pointed out Carter's strong faith, "Carter was a devout Christian and that song was absolutely tone-deaf to sing at his funeral." Another individual agreed, "Inappropriate song for a devout Christian funeral."

The setting was targeted, with one fan noting, "Sung in a historic cathedral...🤔. Bet Jimmy was rolling over in that coffin. 🙃" while another simply expressed disgust, "Yikes 😳." Some considered it shameful, penning, "disgraceful."

Another fan concurred, "That is a truly inappropriate choice of material. If Brooks chose that he should be ashamed. If someone asked for it he should have politely declined." Others felt the performance wasn't great, with one saying, "He should have rehearsed."

One user was conflicted, writing, "This is a beautiful performance. The choice of this song is disrespectful to Carter's memory."

On the other hand, a few fans were more forgiving of the performance, with one stating, "It was absolutely amazing and beautiful hearing those 2 sing." A fan, who also didn't agree with the backlash, swooned, "Garth Brooks & Trisha Yearwood singing John Lennon's 'Imagine' at the Jimmy Carter funeral was one of most beautiful pieces of music I've ever heard [sic]."

Garth Brooks and Yearwood performed the song because it was one of Jimmy Carter's all-time favorites. In a past interview, Carter had been asked what his favorite Beatles song was and he answered, "My favorite is 'Imagine.' When I go to a strange country, Cuba and other places, in some of those nations, 'Imagine' has become a national anthem."

Carter gushed about his appreciation for "Imagine," noting its significance and widespread appeal. He shared that on a trip to Havana, one will see Lennon's statue. He remarked that such places "always play 'Imagine,' and it's one of my favorites just personally."

Carter also reflected on how the song critiques aspects such as religion, national boundaries, nationalism, and jingoism. Yet, he acknowledged its profound impact, emphasizing its ability to resonate deeply with audiences worldwide.

Hence, "Imagine" by Lennon became a meaningful way for Brooks and Yearwood to honor their friend. Following his passing, Brooks shared a tribute on Instagram, "President Carter, the legacy you and Rosalynn have left us is as beautiful as the life you lived."

Brooks expressed his gratitude to Carter and his late wife, Rosalynn Carter, for their lifetime of service to both the country and the world. He acknowledged how they inspired everyone not only through their words but also through their actions.

Trisha Yearwood also wrote a touching message on her Instagram account, "Rest easy, Mr. President. I'm sad for us, and happy for you. Your and Mrs. Rosalynn's legacy of love will live forever. ♥️"

Brooks and Yearwood, actively participated in Carter's projects, particularly with Habitat for Humanity. They shared their experience of working on the Carter Work Project for 2024 on Instagram. The 2024 Carter Work Project united a diverse group of volunteers, homeowners, and supporters to repair and renovate more than 4,447 homes in 14 countries.