Trisha Yearwood Shares She Had No Alternative Path Aside From Music
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“I know many people who spend their whole lives unsure of their true calling. I, however, have always been certain.”
Trisha Yearwood Knew Early On That Music Was Her Only Path
From a very young age, Trisha Yearwood recognized that music was her true calling. Reflecting on the journey that has made her one of country music’s most celebrated artists, Yearwood admits there was never any doubt—and no backup plan—when it came to her career.
Her passion for music began at just five years old, inspired by the legendary Cher. By six, she was already recording songs on a tape recorder in her hometown in Georgia. While opportunities to pursue music existed locally, Yearwood knew she was destined for something beyond her small town of 2,000 people.
“I was never a kid who said, ‘I wonder what I want to do when I grow up.’ I knew,” she told The Touch Up Podcast, hosted by Tarryn Feldman and Mari Brown.
At 19, instead of remaining in Georgia to lead the church choir or teach music, Yearwood moved to Nashville to attend Belmont University. There, she connected with songwriters and began working as a demo singer.
“I did that really solid for several years. Made a really good living. I had a job as a receptionist at a record label, but I didn’t tell anybody I sang,” she recalled.
Although earning a degree in music business could have opened doors to corporate roles in the industry, Yearwood never seriously considered an alternative path.
“I never had a backup plan,” she explained. “A lot of people asked me if I would work in the music industry on the business side if I couldn’t be a singer. I always said no because I knew watching people do what I wanted to do would be much harder.”
Still, she believes that even if she hadn’t become the GRAMMY®, CMA, and ACM Award-winning icon she is today, she would have found a way to share her love of music.
“I feel grateful. I know a lot of people never really know what they want to do, but I’ve always known. I think I would be singing no matter what—even if it meant playing five nights a week in a bar,” she said.
Yearwood credits much of her success to her parents, who instilled confidence in her from a young age. Their support gave her the courage to pursue music as well as acting, writing, cooking, entrepreneurship, and other ventures over the years.
“Sending me to Nashville was scary for them because it wasn’t guaranteed work, but they wanted me to be happy. They made my sister and me feel like we could do anything,” she explained.
Even with her ventures outside of music—including a cooking show and a furniture line—Yearwood makes it clear that music will always be her first love. Her determination, confidence, and powerhouse voice have captivated fans for decades, and she shows no signs of slowing down.
Now, the three-time GRAMMY® winner is preparing to give fans a deeper look at her growth as an artist with the release of The Mirror (Deluxe). Dropping January 23 via Virgin Music Group and Gwendolyn Records, the expanded edition of her acclaimed album includes four new tracks along with the fan-favorite bonus song, Put It In A Song.