Garth Brooks sings 'Amazing Grace' after President Biden calls for unity in inaugural address

Country icon Garth Brooks took center stage at the U.S. Capitol to sing "Amazing Grace" minutes after President Joe Biden called for unity in his inaugural address. 

Accompanied briefly by a trumpet introduction, Brooks sang the patriotic standard a cappella. Dressed in black, he removed his familiar cowboy hat and asked all watching to sing together for the final verse: "Not just the people here but the people at home, at work," Brooks said, "as one — united." 

As Brooks exited, he shook hands with President Biden, as well as Vice President Kalama Harris and former Vice President Mike Pence. He exuberantly shared hugs and shook hands with former Presidents Barack Obama, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush. 

Brooks confirmed Monday his performance at President Joe Biden's swearing-in ceremony, a decision he described as "how I get to serve this country." The Biden administration invited Brooks, Lady Gaga and Jennifer Lopez to the ceremony. Lady Gaga delivered the "Star-Spangled Banner," and Lopez sang a "This Land Is Your Land'-"America The Beautiful" medley. 

"This is not a political statement," Brooks said Monday. "This is a statement of unity." 

Brooks performed in 2009 at former President Barack Obama's first inauguration. He was invited to perform at President Trump's 2017 inauguration, but bowed out due to a conflict with tour scheduling. 

Invited to perform by first lady Dr. Jill Biden, Brooks said Monday that he's focused on "that bridge that brings us together." Including Trump, he's performed for every U.S. President — except for Ronald Reagan — since Jimmy Carter.

"The message they're pushing is unity, and that's' right down my alley, man," Brooks said. "If we're gonna get anywhere we're gonna get there together." 

He joins Tim McGraw and Florida Georgia Line singer Tyler Hubbard in representing country music on Inauguration Day. McGraw and Hubbard perform Wednesday night at a primetime "Celebrating America" special. The event — airing across multiple TV networks and streaming platforms at 7:30 p.m. CST — features Bruce Springsteen, Foo Fighters, Demi Lovato, Justin Timberlake, Tom Hanks and more.