Brooks & Dunn Deliver a Stunning “Amarillo by Morning” as George Strait Watches with Pride
Few artists can honor a legend without overshadowing the moment itself. Brooks & Dunn did exactly that.
Several weeks ago, the annual Kennedy Center Honors ceremony took place in Washington, D.C., celebrating one of country music’s most enduring figures — George Strait, widely known as the King of Country Music. The evening also recognized cultural icons from across entertainment, including KISS, Sylvester Stallone, Broadway star Michael Crawford, and disco legend Gloria Gaynor.
Held at the iconic performing arts complex in the nation’s capital, the Kennedy Center Honors remains one of the most prestigious recognitions in American culture. The venue itself stands as a living memorial to President John F. Kennedy, honoring artistic excellence across music, film, theater, and television.
Over the years, country music has had a powerful presence at the ceremony. Legends such as Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, Loretta Lynn, Merle Haggard, and George Jones have all been honored on that same stage — a lineage that now proudly includes George Strait.
A Night Dedicated to the King of Country
To honor Strait’s extraordinary career, several country artists took the stage — none more memorably than Brooks & Dunn, who delivered a reverent and emotionally charged performance of “Amarillo by Morning.” Earlier in the evening, Miranda Lambert offered a flawless rendition of “Run,” another standout moment that underscored the depth of Strait’s influence.
Originally released in 1982, “Amarillo by Morning” became a defining hit from Strait’s Strait from the Heart album, peaking at No. 4 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. Though it never reached No. 1 — a surprising fact given its legacy — the song has endured as one of the most beloved standards in country music history.
Strait himself has repeatedly described it as his favorite song he ever recorded.
Sieh dir diesen Beitrag auf Instagram an
“My most favorite song I’ve ever recorded,” Strait once said. “It was big in the dance halls. People always requested it. I love singing it.”
Brooks & Dunn Rise to the Moment
Covering a George Strait classic is no small task. Doing it well — especially in front of the man himself — requires absolute mastery. Ronnie Dunn’s voice, still among the strongest in the genre, carried the song with restraint, reverence, and unmistakable confidence. The performance didn’t attempt to reinvent the song; instead, it honored its soul.
That choice made all the difference.
Brooks & Dunn approached the moment as peers paying tribute, not performers chasing applause. It was polished, powerful, and deeply respectful — the kind of performance that reminded the audience why these ceremonies matter.
It’s no exaggeration to say that Brooks & Dunn themselves feel destined for Kennedy Center recognition in the future. Their ability to step into such a historic moment and elevate it without ego speaks to their lasting place in country music history.
A Legacy That Still Resonates
With more than 120 million records sold and 60 No. 1 hits to his name, George Strait’s influence spans generations. Yet moments like this — a quiet smile from the honoree, a song carried with care — capture something statistics never can.
“Amarillo by Morning” wasn’t just performed that night.
It was remembered.
And for fans of country music, it was a reminder of why George Strait’s legacy — and the artists who honor it properly — will endure for decades to come.
