They don’t miss.
Several weeks ago, the annual Kennedy Center Honors ceremony took place in Washington, D.C., celebrating a remarkable group of cultural icons — including the King of Country Music himself — alongside names like KISS, Sylvester Stallone, Broadway legend Michael Crawford, and disco icon Gloria Gaynor.
The Kennedy Center, long known as The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, is perhaps best recognized for this annual ceremony, which honors artists whose work has left a lasting mark on American culture. Located in the nation’s capital, the venue stands as a living memorial to President John F. Kennedy, and over the years it has welcomed an impressive roster of country legends into its halls, including Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, Loretta Lynn, Merle Haggard, George Jones, and many others.
This year’s ceremony featured several standout country performances in honor of George Strait. Miranda Lambert delivered a flawless rendition of “Run,” while Brooks & Dunn took the stage for a performance of one of Strait’s most beloved songs, “Amarillo by Morning.”
Released in 1982, “Amarillo by Morning” became a hit from Strait’s Strait from the Heart album, peaking at No. 4 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. Over the decades, it has grown into a timeless country standard — and arguably the most recognizable song of his legendary career.
Despite his staggering 60 No. 1 hits, the song never topped the chart, a fact Strait himself has long found surprising. Even so, it remains his personal favorite.
“My most favorite song I’ve ever recorded,” Strait once said. “It was big in the dance halls, people always requested it. This one’s called ‘Amarillo by Morning.’ I love singing it.”
Hearing Brooks & Dunn take on such an iconic track felt like the perfect match. Ronnie Dunn remains one of the most powerful vocalists in country music, and his delivery brought both reverence and strength to the performance. Along with Miranda Lambert, Brooks & Dunn proved they were exactly the right artists to honor Strait’s music and legacy.
Covering George Strait is no easy task, but Brooks & Dunn are seasoned professionals — artists who may very well find themselves honored on the Kennedy Center stage one day. Their performance didn’t just meet expectations; it exceeded them.
The full Kennedy Center Honors ceremony airs tonight on CBS and will also be available to stream on Paramount+. This brief glimpse of “Amarillo by Morning” was nothing short of perfection — and it only makes the full performance even more anticipated.
“Amarillo by Morning”
— trang alaska