After much speculation surrounding whether or not country superstar Garth Brooks would perform at President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration this coming January, the rumors are finally being put to rest.
The rumors began to transpire after the “Friends in Low Places” singer issued a vague answer when questioned on the matter by TMZ, replying, “I don’t know, I haven’t been asked…It’s always about serving, it’s what you do.” So will the singer take the stage on one of the most monumental nights of the year?
According to The Wrap, Brooks has made the decision to remain on the sidelines come Jan. 20 and Brooks’ camp has yet to release an official statement on how he arrived at this decision. While he may not be performing at the inauguration, Brooks will be more than busy come next year.
Fans disappointed the country crooner won’t be taking the stage can catch Brooks and wife Trisha Yearwood on tour after they pick back up on their world tour in Cincinnati, Ohio Jan.28. They also recently released their holiday collaboration, Christmas Together, marking their first duet album together.
“It’s always been difficult for Garth and I to record a duet album, because we’ve always been on different record labels, and that causes all kinds of red tape, you can’t even imagine,” Yearwood told Billboard. “Now that we’re free to record together pretty seamlessly, we thought a Christmas duet album might be the perfect way to dip our toe into the duet waters.”
Even though this is the first duet album they have collaborated on, Brooks and Yearwood have performed many songs together over the years, including dazzling renditions of country classics such as “After the Fire is Gone” and “I Don’t Want to Have to Marry You.” So what made the country music power couple choose their first duet album as a holiday one?
“We both love Christmas music,” explained Yearwood. “And thought it might be a little easier to find the songs that worked for both of us.”
While the country singer may not be performing, according to TMZ you can expect to see international sensation Andrea Bocelli take the stage alongside former America’s Got Talent runner-up Jackie Evancho. 16-year-old Evancho is set to open the ceremony with the National Anthem and perform a possible duet with Bocelli whose locked in for at least one song with a possible second in the works.
So what do you think about his decision to sit out of the performance? Let us know in the comments after you watch Brooks and Yearwood’s enchanting performance of “Baby It’s Cold Outside”!