GARTH BROOKS IS THRILLED TO HONOR SIR ELTON JOHN AND BERNIE TAUPIN AT THE GERSHWIN PRIZE CELEBRATION CONCERT

Garth Brooks could barely contain his excitement about being asked to honor Sir Elton John and Bernie Taupin as they received the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song at a star-studded celebration concert in Washington, D.C. this week.

“It's one of the greatest, if not the greatest music catalog out there!” Garth says of John’s and Taupin’s extensive body of work. “It’s just years and years and years of hit after hit after hit.”

Garth performed “Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word,” joining a list of performers including Brandi Carlile, Annie Lennox, Metallica, Maren Morris, Billy Porter and Charlie Puth. The event will air April 8 as a PBS concert special.

The Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song is the nation’s highest award for influence, impact, and achievement in the field of popular song.  Brooks received the honor in 2020 amid musical tributes from Chris Stapleton, Ricky Skaggs, Keith Urban, Keb ‘Mo, Lee Brice, and Trisha Yearwood.

“It’s an honor to get to play for who you’re playing for,” Garth recalls about the Gershwin Prize concert.  “There are members of Congress and all the important offices.  All we do is see them go at each other’s throat in the news, but when you come to play music, they all become one. It’s a sweet night. If there’s anyone on the planet to bring them together, it’s Elton.”