Erika Goldring, Getty Images
Garth Brooks was announced, along with Connie Smith and piano legend Hargus 'Pig' Robbins, as the newest addition of the Country Music Hall of Fame yesterday (March 6), and the country superstar and pop-culture phenomenon knows exactly what his late mother would have said upon hearing that he's been given the coveted honor.
"She's up there going, 'Well, it's about time,'" Garth told The Boot, his finger pointed heavenward. "My mom believed that I should be in the Hall of Fame before I was even in country music. But I have to say, when someone would say to her, 'I'll bet you're proud of your son,' she'd always ask 'Which one?'" (Garth has four older brothers and an older sister.)
Garth, who was clearly humbled by the honor, admitted that it was also rather surreal.
"It's kind of odd to be in this room [the Hall of Fame's rotunda which houses the plaques of all the members]. You want to be mentioned in the same breath with George Strait and Reba McEntire -- those are the two heroes I grew up with ... [Merle] Haggard and [George] Jones. Now you're gonna get to be in the same hall with them? Make no mistake, I don't think I'm on that level. But it's pretty cool to have your name listed with them."
Trisha Yearwood was in attendance for the announcement and was with her husband when he first found out he'd been chosen for the honor. Garth notes that she handled it better than he did at first. "When I got the news, I was embarrassed and felt guilty right away. I think there are a lot of other names that I grew up on who
