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TRISHA'S KITCHEN_JKT_F.indd
To list Trisha Yearwood’s accomplishments would take an entire issue of this magazine.
Last month, she celebrated three decades in the music business and during that time she’s amassed numerous Grammy, CMA, and ACM Awards; countless multiplatinum certifications; and millions of fans. Then there’s her successful home empire—her Emmy Award-winning Food Network hit Trisha’s Southern Kitchen is just one piece of her hospitality puzzle, which also includes three New York Times bestselling cookbooks, collaborations with Williams Sonoma, a furniture line, a pet line, and more.
Yearwood has two other projects on the horizon, as well: on August 13 she will release Every Girl Deluxe Album—a rerelease of her chart-topping 2019 record, complete with bonus tracks like a new version of her 30-year-old smash, “She’s in Love with the Boy” and a duet with husband Garth Brooks. And on Sept. 28 she will release her most personal cookbook yet, Trisha’s Kitchen: Easy Comfort Food for Friends and Family. The entrepreneurial artist took a break from her busy schedule to share some of the secrets to her success in life and in love.
You’re releasing a deluxe version of your 2019 smash record Every Girl. What made this the right time to rerelease the album and add some bonus tracks for the fans?
The 30th anniversary of “She’s in Love with the Boy” really got me thinking about rerecording a new version of the song. That was a blast to revisit in the studio. We recorded an acoustic version to keep it true to the original, but different at the same time. While we were at it, we thought we’d add a couple of songs, one that I had previously unreleased and one that was only available on Garth’s album FUN.
“She’s in Love with the Boy” was your breakout hit. Is it still exciting to sing it 30 years later?
I can honestly say it never gets old. Sometimes it feels like yesterday when this song was released and sometimes, I feel those 30 years! But I never ever get tired of singing the song. You’re lucky if you can find a great story to tell like the one in this song, and then when it becomes a big ole hit, you get to sing it every night. From telling the story every night to the audience’s reaction every night, it’s always new and fun.
You and Garth have a duet on this album—“Shallow” from A Star is Born. How did that come about?
“Shallow” was 100 percent a fan-motivated record. Garth and I did a few Facebook Live performances during the COVID lockdown to help distract folks—and ourselves—and someone requested that we sing “Shallow” together. We did a piece of the song on the live broadcast and then the requests to record started coming in. We did record it, but I don’t think either of us thought it would end up on an album until we listened back and really loved how the record came out. Garth was finishing up FUN so he put it on the record. I got excited when we decided to release a deluxe version of Every Girl so that it could be on my record, too. I love the song so much.
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After amassing a huge (and ongoing) career as an artist, you began a foray into other industries. How did you evolve “Brand Trisha” in the early days of those endeavors?
When you’re successful in one business, sometimes other businesses come calling. Trust me, you say no a lot! But I had actually taken a meeting with some book publishers in NYC at the advice of my manager. There was interest in an autobiography, which honestly, I wasn’t that interested in writing. One publisher asked me what I would be interested in writing about, and totally unplanned or premeditated, I said, “I like to cook.” I was as surprised as anyone! I left New York with a cookbook deal. That started everything rolling.
You’ve written multiple cookbooks and have your own show on the Food Network. Was cooking always a passion that you knew would become more than a hobby or was that success a surprise?
I honestly never dreamed I’d have this second career. Music is my passion and my first love always. But I do love to cook. I was a late bloomer, only really quizzing my mom and learning how to cook after I had left home and was living in an apartment in Nashville, working and going to college. I missed home and I missed Mama’s home cooking. She taught me how to make her potato salad and meatloaf—two easy recipes with few ingredients. When I made them and they tasted just like hers, I cried! It was in that moment I think I realized the deep connection between food and family. I instantly felt closer to home, even though I was still 300 miles away. So, I never knew I’d be writing books and hosting a cooking show, but it does come out of something I love to do, so it feels natural to me.
And you’ve launched a partnership with Williams Sonoma, furthering your cooking and hospitality empire.
I courted Williams Sonoma because I’m a longtime fan. We collaborated on a drink mixer called “Summer in a Cup” a few years ago. It was meant to be a one- time partnership, but I think we fell in love! It just felt like such a perfect fit. We’ve now collaborated on more drink mixes, biscuit mixes, coffee, even an entire frozen Thanksgiving meal. This year we unveiled the Gwendolyn collection of tableware, probably the line I’m most proud of because the design team took sketches of cakes my mom made and turned them into dishes. They’re beautiful, named after her, and a wonderful way to honor her memory.
You recently launched a pet collection, and you have a furniture line. Has it been fun to put your design stamp on so many different types of things?
I really just say yes to the things that make sense to me and that I think I will enjoy. It’s been a real blast. I have loved collaborating with Klaussner on my own furniture line for over five years now, and we just launched the TY Pet Collection, which I’m really excited about because I have a huge passion for rescue dogs. I get to work on products that I know dogs and owners will love while giving back to rescue organization and animals in need. It’s a win-win!
WILLIAMS SONOMA/ROBBY KLEIN.
What’s your secret to finding success in multiple fields?
I think we’ve been successful because I’m very “in” everything I do. Some might call that controlling, but for me, it’s not enough just to lend your name to something and have no involvement. If my name is on a product, I want to make sure it’s high quality and does all the things it needs to do, so I’m picky. I think that has helped our other endeavors stand out and do well.
Not to mention you have your own record label! How do you balance everything?
Balance is fluid. What I mean is, I don’t think anybody’s life is ever in perfect balance. For me, it’s a sliding scale. Things move in and out of that top position on your list and when one thing needs more focus something else gets less. The one thing that is always at the top of my list is my relationship with my husband. He’s not on the sliding scale!
What do you have your eye on next?
I’m kind of in that space of thinking about what that is. With the pet line so new, I see focusing a lot in the near future on trying to make it as successful as possible. I’m highly motivated by the opportunity to help out rescue organizations all over the country, and ultimately the world.
You’re a global superstar and you’ve traveled (and lived) all over, but what makes Nashville home for you?
Since Garth and I married over 15 years ago, I would say home is really wherever he is. (Yeah, we’re that sappy. We like to be together!) I will always be a Georgia girl, and after spending 14 years of our relationship in Oklahoma, that place will always have a part of my heart, but I do love living in Nashville. It’s where I first came as a 19-year-old girl wanting to make it in the music business. It’s where I met the love of my life. It’s where I’ve seen so many of my dreams come true. I like living in the country—we live a few miles just outside of Nashville proper—but I love being close enough to the hustle and bustle of the city to go get in the middle of it whenever I want to. From music to sports, there’s always something going on. I love the energy of living in the city where the music I want to make is being made. It feels like the right place for us.
What advice would you give to young women who admire you and who might want a career like yours?
I would say the best advice is to listen to your gut. Your gut is always telling you what’s right. Sometimes we ignore it, but that small voice is there, telling us to go for it or waving the red flag. Don’t let someone else make your decisions for you. Even if you’re young, you know what’s right for you. Don’t be afraid to stick up for yourself.