When Jerry Douglas Calls, Garth Brooks Answers
By: Craig Shelburne

Jerry Douglas figured he’d shoot for the moon when he realized that he could bring whoever he wanted during his four concerts at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville. So his first call was to Garth Brooks — who immediately accepted. So did Trisha Yearwood. And their appearance together Tuesday night (Sept. 30) at the museum’s Ford Theater was one of the best-kept secrets in town. After playing a handful of familiar songs, backed by an incredibly talented band, Douglas exclaimed, “It’s just like karaoke with the real people!”

The music, of course, was phenomenal. With Douglas on Dobro and Yearwood on harmonies, Brooks sounded like a million bucks on “Don’t Cross the River” and “Callin’ Baton Rouge,” while longtime fans of Yearwood embraced her rendition of “The Nightingale.” Brooks told Douglas, “When we move here as hopeful musicians, we want to mean to our gift what you have come to mean to yours.” Just before singing a standout version of “Walkaway Joe,” Yearwood told Douglas, “When we recorded this song, I knew something magical was about to happen, and you were a huge, huge part of that.”
Despite such star power, the show was nearly stolen by New Grass Revival singer John Cowan’s rousing take on “A Good Woman’s Love.” People couldn’t get to their feet fast enough on the last big note. Irish singer Maura O’Connell also sent goosebumps up and down my arms when she delivered a passionate version of “Helpless Heart.” And you can’t deny the camaraderie between Douglas and his close friends, Tim O’Brien and Russ Barenberg. After nearly three hours of music, Douglas concluded the night by wishing that he could do 10 more of these shows. He’s not the only one.


http://blog.cmt.com/2008-10-01/when-jerry-...brooks-answers/

Brooks, Yearwood help Jerry Douglas end Hall of Fame residency
Thursday, October 2, 2008 – The stars came out once again for Dobro ace Jerry Douglas, who finished his residency at the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville, with Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood appearing. Earlier shows included appearances by Alison Krauss, Emmylou Harris, Travis Tritt, Bela Fleck, Earl Scruggs, Ricky Skaggs and Guy Clark.
Also appearing on Tuesday were bluegrasser John Cowan, guitarist Russ Barenberg and singer Maura O'Connell.

According to a review by Michael McCall, Douglas told a story before his next guest came on stage. "This guy is the first guy I called when I started putting these shows together," he said. "I thought, 'Why not just shoot the moon, start out high, go ahead and call somebody, they'll say no.' So I called, and he said, 'I'm there, I'll do that, I'd love to do that. But first I have to do this thing with Billy Joel.'"

"Brooks walked out wearing jeans and a blue Kansas City Royals baseball hat. With Cowan still on stage to sing harmonies, Brooks tore into "Don't Cross the River," a song by country-rockers America that Brooks covered on his album "Scarecrow." Before he reached the chorus, Yearwood walked out unannounced to join in.

"This is not a two-for-one," Douglas quipped, referring to the famous husband and wife standing beside him. "You might think that, but it's not. I talked to them separately." Yearwood confirmed, nodding toward Brooks and joking, "I didn't know he was going to be here tonight!"

Yearwood sang her hit Walkaway Joe. Yearwood sang The Nightingale per Douglas' asking. Brooks and Cowan then returned for Callin' Baton Rouge, a Brooks hit first recorded by Cowan and New Grass Revival.

http://www.countrystandardtime.com/news/ne...em.asp?xid=2164

Thanks for those very cool articles. I would have loved to have heard Trisha sing "The Nightingale" live. I love that song.

I love that he said this!

Can you imagine how amazing that would have been to witness!?