A Christmas Surprise: Garth Brooks Joins Trisha Yearwood for a Tender Anniversary Duet

Garth Brooks has pulled off plenty of surprises in his career, but few have landed with the warm, fizzy magic of the moment he walked onstage in Atlanta Wednesday night. At Trisha Yearwood’s Christmastime Tour stop with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, fans thought the show was over — until Yearwood started a song she dedicated to her husband for their 20th anniversary. Then ... Garth was in the building.

Brooks didn’t just show up to celebrate their 20th anniversary — he walked out ready to pour his heart onto the stage. As he and Yearwood eased into their tender duet “Merry Christmas, Valentine,” from her new holiday album Christmastime, emotion carried him away.

“I thought I was ready, and I was so wrong,” Brooks later confessed. “The second I tried to sing, nothing came out...just tears...really good tears.”

Brooks and Yearwood went on to finish their duet “Merry Christmas, Valentine.” The couple shared one microphone as they sang the song’s last notes together. Brooks leaned away and wiped tears from his eyes. The anniversary performance added a heartfelt note to the encore and gave fans a glimpse of the couple’s enduring heartfelt connection.

Yearwood continues her Christmastime Tour through December — but last night, Christmas came early in Atlanta.