Garth Brooks’ retirement days on hold for Vegas lights
Fans, governor, Yukon’s mayor cheering singer’s decision
BY NATHAN POPPE AND GEORGE LANG
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5
Published: October 16, 2009
Garth Brooks has a stage ready for him.
Brooks announced Thursday at a news conference in
Las Vegas that he would play a series of special engagements beginning Dec. 11 at the Encore Theater at
Wynn Las Vegas. The venue was used by the late Las Vegas entertainer
Danny Gans.
Trisha Yearwood and Garth Brooks
Multimedia
Tickets for the first five weekends of Brooks’ show will go on sale Oct. 24.
Earlier Thursday during a news conference in
Nashville, Brooks announced he was coming out of retirement.
"We’re going to take the retirement roof off over our head, and I already feel taller,” Brooks said in Nashville.
Following the Nashville event, Brooks, 47, flew to Las Vegas for a more extensive news conference at the Encore Theater. He likened the upcoming shows to performances he used to give at Willie’s Saloon, a Stillwater bar where Brooks played several shows early in his career.
"If you’ve seen one of my live shows, you understand it’s between the music and the people — that’s what makes it fun,” Brooks said in the joint news conference with casino owner
Steve Wynn at the Encore.
"When you guys get into it, and you’re singing louder than I am, when you know the words better than I do to my own stuff, that’s a party and that’s what’s fun,” he said. "No matter if it’s ... Willie’s in
Stillwater, Oklahoma, in front of 15 people or
Central Park in front of how many people that was, as long as you’re doing that ... that’s when the good stuff starts to happen.”
Willie’s Saloon would be available to Brooks if he’d like, the bar’s manager said.
Willie’s manager
Joe Farmer said he would remove anyone playing onstage quickly if Brooks wanted to perform during his visit to Stillwater. Brooks is serving as grand marshal Saturday for
Oklahoma State University’s homecoming parade.
Stillwater residents are excited Brooks ended his retirement.
"I think it’s great,” Farmer said. "I hope he walks through the door. I’d buy him a drink.”
Stan Clark,
Eskimo Joe’s founder, said Brooks’ decision came at a great time.
"Really, it’s cool for OSU and the homecoming parade,” Clark said. "He’ll be fabulous at whatever he does.”
Stillwater musician
John Martin said his reaction is a common one.
"I’m wanting to get some tickets,” he said. "I can’t wait to see him.”
Martin, singer/songwriter of "Cowboys Forever” for Oklahoma State University, said he has admired Brooks, also an OSU grad, since the third grade when he met Brooks before a concert in Stillwater.
"When you have the best of the best getting back into the game, that changes the awareness of how big of a legend that he really is,” Martin said.
Gov. Brad Henry said Brooks’ return is great news for more than just country music fans.
"It’s also exciting news for
Oklahoma, a state fortunate enough to have a tremendous and storied musical legacy,” Henry said. "Garth Brooks has always been a terrific ambassador for his home state, and we look forward to him making music again.”
Yukon
Mayor Bob Bradway said he’s excited a "hometown boy” is returning to music.
"He has brought a lot of enjoyment to people’s lives,” Bradway said. "I think it’s a good thing. (Brooks) is the leader of the pack. It’s a source of pride for the town that one of our own has done so well.”
Brooks retired in 2000 to spend more time with his three children, and released one final studio album, "Scarecrow,” in 2001. He’s occasionally popped up in special appearances at awards shows and charity events, as well as a string of 2007 concerts in
Kansas City, Mo., the
Oklahoma Centennial Spectacular event in November 2007, and the inaugural concert for
President Barack Obama in January, but has mostly stayed out of the limelight.
Brooks said he is looking forward to getting back on stage, and he said his family, including his wife,
Trisha Yearwood, fully backs his decision.
"We’ve talked about this, they’re excited,” Brooks said. "The girls are excited to see me get out of the house.”
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I did make it to The Wynn/Encore and found that it mainly had dollar slots. Homie does not do that kind of play. I found the Penske Wynn Ferrari Maserati display in the first floor of Wynn which is actually a dealership. It had a Ferrari store where a basic screen printed crappy t-shirt was $30. Then there is this Ferrari museum. I doubt it will last long as the admission being what it is. The whole idea of the Wynn was pretentious and droll. I can only imagine what will happen to The Wynn once Garth's hard core fans show up in dirty boots especially if his show goes on during the NFR. I can see those ladies with their furs saying, "Whell, the nerve of those cretins." I can already see an old west gunfight breaking out in the high limit table games that will make the Hells Angels-vs-Mongols riot in Laughlin-Harrahs look like a visit to Mr. Roger's Neighborhood. DDS/AKAB
OSU has Garth and NSU has Carrie.
For grads of the other umpteen schools in state, musically speaking, who's your best known alum?