Trisha Yearwood had a night she will never, ever forget. The Georgia native, along with the late John Prine, was inducted into the Austin City Limits Hall of Fame. Yearwood spoke out about the honor on social media, praising the artists who performed in tribute to her and her legendary career.

“Did this night really happen?!” Yearwood wrote after the ceremony. “To say I had the time of my life in Austin is an understatement. I feel humbled to be honored on such a sacred stage. Live music can change people’s lives and what Austin City Limits has been doing for live music for the last 50 years is truly life-changing, not only for the artists and the players, but most importantly for everyone watching and listening.

“Thank you Brothers Osborne, Jo Dee Messina, Brandy Clark and Ronnie Dunn for sharing such a special night with me,” she continued. “Many thanks to Matthew McConaughey and to the love of my life, Garth Brooks for your special words. And Don Henley, this honor will forever mean that much more because you welcomed me into the Austin City Limits Hall of Fame. Appreciate you, my friend! What a night!!”

 

Yearwood is currently working on a new album, one that will — for the first time in her career — include songs that she has written. Yearwood moved to Nashville with dreams of being a singer-songwriter, but was told she was a better singer than songwriter — words that Yearwood unfortunately held on to for far too long.

“I’ve let it be true, but not anymore,” Yearwood told CMT.  “It’s still hard for me, but I’m doing it. I’m always nervous … but I get a little less nervous every time. It’s just been really good. I’m so excited about it.”

The 59-year-old is also looking for songs from other writers to record, although she admits she isn’t sure how many of her own songs she will include on the project.

“I don’t know where the originals fall,” Yearwood said. “I don’t know if I want to cut one or two on this record, or if it’s gonna be a songwriter thing or if it’s gonna be its own thing. I don’t know yet, but we’ll see once we get in there.”

Yearwood, by her own admission, could have churned out more music in recent years. But as her husband pursued his numerous endeavors, including a massive tour and a Las Vegas residency, Yearwood chose to prioritize time with Brooks over more career accomplishments.

“We got married almost 18 years ago to be together, to not be apart,” Yearwood explained (via WSMV). “So, whoever’s touring the other one is there, whether they’re on stage or not. So, we work together all the time.”

Every Girl, Yearwood’s last album, was released in 2019. Find all of Yearwood’s music and upcoming shows at TrishaYearwood.com.