Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood brought an emotional moment to the national funeral service for former President Jimmy Carter at the Washington National Cathedral on January 9, as they performed John Lennon’s iconic song “Imagine.” 

The couple, both dressed in black, poured their hearts into the ballad. It was a fitting tribute to a man who lived a life of service and peace. Brooks took the lead on the verses, while Yearwood harmonized with him on the powerful chorus. 

The moving performance was witnessed by Carter’s children, President Joe Biden, and all living former U.S. presidents, including Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Barack Obama, and Donald Trump. 

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The Carters and the country artist shared a deep connection, largely through their mutual work with Habitat for Humanity, an organization that the Carters have supported for decades. Their performance was a tribute not only to  Carter’s legacy, but also to the friendship the couple had with the former president and first lady.

While the performance was widely praised by many viewers, with fans on social media expressing their admiration, not everyone was moved by the choice of “Imagine.” Some questioned whether the song was the right fit for a service honoring a devout Christian leader. 

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The appearance surprised many fans, since Brooks is facing legal challenges. In October 2024, a former employee filed a lawsuit accusing him of sexual assault and battery. Brooks addressed the situation publicly, telling fans to “take a deep breath” and allow the legal process to unfold.

“I want to continue our good deeds going forward,” he previously told US Weekly about the allegations. “It breaks my heart that these wonderful things are in question now. I trust the system, I do not fear the truth, and I am not the man they have painted me to be.” 

Carter passed away on December 29, 2024, at the age of 100, after nearly two years in hospice care. His wife, Rosalynn, passed away just weeks earlier, on November 19, 2023. The service at the National Cathedral honored their shared life of service and commitment to making the world a better place.

Photo Credit: Brynn Anderson-Pool/Getty Images/ RollingStones.