The stars collided in this meetup that’s the stuff of musical dreams. December 8, 2019, marked the 42nd annual Kennedy Center Honors. Linda Ronstadt was one of the illustrious honorees, and she was the subject of a marvelous musical tribute performed by none other than Carrie Underwood, who herself earned approval from the musical legend while singing her signature song, “Blue Bayou.”
In her illustrious career, which stretches back almost six decades, Ronstadt has received countless accolades and honors. She was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2013. The following summer, she was gifted the National Medal of Arts. She also jointly received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Here is what happened on that magical night of the 42nd annual Kennedy Center Honors.
Carrie Underwood earned high esteem from Linda Ronstadt herself in her tribute singing “Blue Bayou”
Together at last—your 2019 Kennedy Center Honorees! 🌈
Tune in Dec. 15 at 8 p.m. ET as we celebrate these incredible luminaries during the #KCHonors broadcast on @CBS & streaming with a free trial of @CBSAllAccess.
📸 John Paul Filo for CBS pic.twitter.com/WUQgdV7lP4
— The Kennedy Center (@kencen) December 8, 2019
Ronstadt was among the five nominees to receive the 2019 Kennedy Center Honors for lifetime artistic achievements. The John F. Kennedy Center hosted the event, and other recipients included Sally Field, Sesame Street, musical conductor Michael Tilson Thomas, and the band Earth, Wind, & Fire.
RELATED: Earth, Wind & Fire, Linda Ronstadt, And Sally Field Receive Kennedy Center Honors
In addition to receiving this illustrious distinction, the honorees were also celebrated by their fellow stars. Underwood paid a remarkable tribute to Ronstadt by singing “Blue Bayou” and “When Will I Be Loved.”
For the occasion, the American Idol champion wore a blue dress bedazzled with sparkles. Underwood’s exceptional performance was dedicated a woman she said “broke the rules and sang music that was true to her.” This is actually something of a repeat encounter for Ronstadt and Underwood, the latter of whom sang “Blue Bayou” for her when she was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2014.
A night to remember
“Blue Bayou” was originally performed by Roy Orbison in 1963. Her cover became the signature song for Ronstadt by 1977. She sent it to #3 on the Billboard Hot 100, where it stayed for roughly a whole month. Underwood took up the task of covering the song with great success, as Ronstadt could be seen smiling the entire time Underwood was singing.
The evening was full of fantastic tributes, both for Ronstadt and the other honorees. For instance, Trisha Yearwood and Aaron Neville teamed up to perform “Don’t Know Much,” another high-ranking hit for Ronstadt.
Viewers were also treated to seeing Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg celebrating Sally Field; Hanks starred with Field in Forrest Gump and Spielberg directed her in Lincoln.