Quick Read
- Trisha Yearwood hosted NBC’s ‘Christmas in Nashville’ in December 2025, performing ‘You’re A Mean One, Mr. Grinch.’
- Yearwood is married to Garth Brooks and is stepmother (‘bonus mom’) to his three daughters: Taylor, August, and Allie.
- She describes her relationship with Brooks’ daughters as a gift and has played a supportive role in their lives.
- Allie Colleen Brooks, the youngest, is a country singer, following in her father’s footsteps.
- Yearwood’s holiday hosting showcased her versatility and lasting influence in country music.
Trisha Yearwood’s Country Legacy: More Than Just the Music
For decades, Trisha Yearwood has been a defining voice in country music. Her powerful vocals and heartfelt lyrics have earned her Grammys and the respect of peers and fans alike. But Yearwood’s influence stretches beyond the stage lights and radio hits—she’s woven herself into the fabric of country culture, family, and now, holiday tradition.
In 2025, Yearwood returned to the national spotlight as the host of NBC’s Christmas in Nashville, a festive country-music special taped at Category 10, a lively Nashville bar owned by Luke Combs. The event, which aired just after the legendary Christmas in Rockefeller Center ceremony, showcased Yearwood’s charisma and warmth, both as a performer and master of ceremonies. Audiences watched her sing a playful rendition of “You’re A Mean One, Mr. Grinch,” sharing the stage with stars like Bill Murray & His Blood Brothers, Lauren Alaina, Ne-Yo, The War and Treaty, and Trace Adkins (NBC).
Stepping into Family: The Role of ‘Bonus Mom’
Yearwood’s journey into motherhood is as remarkable as her career. When she married country legend Garth Brooks in 2005, she became the stepmother—“bonus mom,” as she prefers—to his three daughters from his previous marriage with Sandy Mahl: Taylor, August, and Allie. The family dynamic was never static or simple; Brooks and Mahl’s split in 1999 led Brooks to briefly retire from music, dedicating himself to raising his daughters in a modest bunkhouse on his Oklahoma ranch. In those years, Brooks learned firsthand the complexities and joys of parenting, describing his daughters as “the greatest joy and the greatest heartache you’ll ever have.”
Yearwood entered the picture as a third parent, navigating the delicate balance of blending families. “They let me learn my way and allowed me to be that third parent in their lives,” she reflected in a 2021 interview with PEOPLE. “They were a gift that I didn’t know I needed. I didn’t know how much children brought into your life until I got a chance to be a part of their lives.” Her words reveal a humility and gratitude that’s resonated with fans and family alike.
Behind the Spotlight: The Brooks Daughters’ Stories
The Brooks daughters each have forged their own paths, with Yearwood offering guidance and support along the way. Taylor Mayne Pearl Brooks, now 33, keeps a low public profile but has pursued a master’s degree in theological studies at Vanderbilt University. Brooks describes Taylor as “quiet courage,” someone who “will trade her life for someone she doesn’t know.” Taylor is also a mother herself, with family photos revealing the close-knit nature of the Brooks-Mahl-Yearwood clan.
August Anna Brooks, 31, followed a different route, working at a law firm and attending the University of Oklahoma. She’s also a mom to two daughters, Karalynn and Gwendolyn. Brooks has publicly praised August’s parenting skills, once saying, “I’m not sure any of [our mothers] could hold a candle to my daughter.” Yearwood’s presence in August’s life has been supportive, adding another layer of connection within the blended family.
The youngest, Allie Colleen Brooks, 29, has stepped into the family tradition by becoming a country singer herself. Performing as Allie Colleen, she’s toured the United States and built her own musical identity. Allie is also known for her candid social media posts about her family, including heartfelt tributes to both her biological and “bonus” moms. In 2020, Allie faced a public health scare when she tested positive for COVID-19, but recovered with her family’s support.
Trisha Yearwood: Bridging Stage and Family
What sets Yearwood apart in the world of country celebrities is her ability to bridge her public persona and private life. At Christmas in Nashville, she was not just a host but a symbol of the genre’s spirit—joyful, inclusive, and rooted in tradition. Her performance of “You’re A Mean One, Mr. Grinch” captured her playful side, while her interactions with fellow artists underscored her role as a mentor and peer.
Yearwood’s journey as a stepmother has also changed the conversation around blended families in country music. By calling herself a “bonus mom,” she highlights the positive possibilities in step-parenting—emphasizing patience, learning, and mutual respect. “They were a gift that I didn’t know I needed,” she said, encapsulating the unexpected blessings that come from embracing new roles in life.
The Brooks-Yearwood household, with its blend of biological and chosen bonds, demonstrates that family can be redefined and strengthened through kindness and openness. Yearwood’s story is not just about music, but about making space for love in its many forms.
Holiday Traditions and Lasting Influence
As the curtain fell on Christmas in Nashville, Yearwood’s performance left viewers with a sense of warmth and nostalgia. Her presence as host brought together the old and new of country music, reminding audiences that the genre is as much about togetherness as it is about twang and storytelling. The holiday special, streamed on Peacock and broadcast nationwide, cemented Yearwood’s place as a cultural ambassador for country music’s next chapter (NBC).
Her influence extends beyond her own career. By supporting the Brooks daughters and their ambitions, Yearwood sets an example for family members everywhere—whether biological, blended, or chosen. Her ability to connect with others, both in her music and her family, is what makes her a lasting figure in American culture.
Trisha Yearwood’s story is one of adaptation and empathy, showing that true influence isn’t just measured in awards or album sales, but in the lives touched along the way. As a country music icon, devoted “bonus mom,” and gracious holiday host, Yearwood continues to redefine what it means to be part of a family—on and off the stage.