By Tammy Everitt, For The Herald Bulletin
ANDERSON — What birthday present do you get for someone who already has three Grammy awards, a best-selling cookbook, a recent Country Music Association nomination, and is the wife of country music icon Garth Brooks?
“My mom’s fried chicken, that I haven’t had in a year,’’ answered Trisha Yearwood who turned 44 on Sept. 19.
She had planned to have friends over while her mother visited.
“I’m a pretty low-key person and don’t want anything crazy,” said Yearwood in a phone interview to talk about her upcoming show at Hoosier Park for the Indiana Derby on Saturday. Oct. 4.
Yearwood will help celebrate the richest day of thoroughbred racing in Indiana. She will perform under the stars at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $65 for premier seating and $45 for general admission and are available at Shelby’s Gifts — open 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. — or by calling (800) 526-7223.
Yearwood is the owner of such hits as “She’s In Love With the Boy,” “XXX’s and OOO’s,” “How Do I Live,” “Walkaway Joe” and the “Wrong Side of Memphis,” just to name a few.
The Monticello, Ga., native knew at a very early age that singing would be her life’s goal. The first artist she remembers listening to was Elvis Presley.
“I realized music was more than something to listen to on the radio. I knew I wanted to be a singer,’’ she said.
Her greatest musical influence was, and still is, Linda Ronstadt. “I want to be her. I’ve got great respect for the music she’s made. She’s an influential, strong singer to find those real gut-wrenching songs.”
Yearwood has cut many duets throughout the years but the one yet to be recorded is with her hero, Ronstadt. “I’ve met her a couple of times and she probably thinks I’m stalking her,’’ Yearwood said, laughing.
“It’s all about timing and the right song. I think one day it will happen.”
One of her most recent duets, “Another Try” with Josh Turner, earned her a Country Music Association nomination for Music Event of the Year. She accepted the opportunity to sing with Turner as she feels he’s the real deal.
“There’s a lot of diversity on the radio and that’s a good thing but it’s still important to have someone out there with a tie to traditional country music. Someone who hasn’t forgotten where we came from,’’ Yearwood said.
A nod to the country side also marks Hoosier Park’s next concert. The Charlie Daniels Band will play two shows on Saturday, Nov. 14. Daniels, whose hits include “The Devil Went Down to Georgia,” “Long-Haired Country Boy” and “The South’s Gonna Get It,” will perform at 8 and 10:30 p.m. in the Terrace Showroom.
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FUN FACTS ABOUT TRISHA:
— Favorite magazine: Women’s Health.
— Favorite vacation spot: Any place with a beach.
— Favorite movie: (as a child) “Wizard of Oz” ; (as an adult) “Steel Magnolias”
— Favorite food: Potatoes — in any shape or form
— Favorite artist outside of country music: Prince.
— Husband’s ringtone on your cell phone: “Sexy Back” by Justin Timberlake
— CD that is playing in your own personal vehicle. As embarassed as I am to admit — my own. I was listening to it to help decide what the next single would be.
— Who would you love to have met before they died? Elvis.
— Favorite Garth Brooks song? “Ain’t Going Down ('Til the Sun Comes Up)”
