Carrie Underwood, Thomas Rhett, Garth Brooks & More Perform at Kennedy Center Honors

Carrie Underwood paid tribute to icon Linda Ronstadt by performing two of her biggest hits at this year’s Kennedy Center Honors. The American Idol winner belted out “Blue Bayou” and “When Will I Be Loved” at the event.

“I was so honored to finally meet the phenomenal Linda Ronstadt, a true artist and versatile vocalist who excelled at performing all kinds of music,” Underwood tweeted Friday alongside a pic of her and Ronstadt taken before the program’s TV debut this past Sunday. “I hope I made you proud, Linda.”

The 73-year-old Ronstadt attended the event in Washington, D.C., despite making few public appearances since being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2013. This year’s Kennedy Center Honors also paid tribute to Sesame Street, actress Sally Field and the band Earth, Wind and Fire. Thomas Rhett gets a hand from some friends in a celebration of 2019 Kennedy Center Honoree Sesame Street.