Jimmie Allen honored country superstar Garth Brooks with a performance of two of Brooks’ biggest hits.
On Sunday, June 6, the “Best Shot” singer performed “The Thunder Rolls” during the 43rd Kennedy Center Honors. Allen had the audience and Brooks as well as Brooks’ wife Trisha Yearwood in the palm of his hand with his impeccable stage presence and growling vocal abilities.
Later in the show, Allen also performed a massive sing-a-long of “Friends In Low Places.”
Kelly Clarkson, James Taylor and Gladys Knight also gave tribute performances to Brooks during the event.
The 43rd Kennedy Center Honors celebrated honorees Garth Brooks, Joan Baez, Dick Van Dyke, Debbie Allen & Midori and featured tribute performances from Sturgill Simpson, Rhiannon Giddens, Emmylou Harris, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Kelly Clarkson, James Taylor, Gladys Knight, Derek Hough, Laura Osnes, Aaron Tveit, Pentatonix, Yo-Yo Ma, Gil Shaham, Adele Anthony, Hilary Hahn, Randall Goosby and Midori’s Orchestra Residencies Program.
Additionally, the 2-hour awards ceremony included a star-studded list of presenters, including Jackson Browne, Phoebe Bridgers, Tom Morello, Bradley Cooper, Jason Aldean, John Travolta, Wayne Gretzky, Julie Andrews, Bryan Cranston, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Chita Rivera, Steve Martin, Gustavo Dudamel, John Lithgow, and Bette Midler.
Hosted by Gloria Estefan, the 2021 Kennedy Center Honors aired on Sunday, June 6 at 8/7c, exclusively on CBS and streaming on Paramount+.