More Garth Brooks Las Vegas dates announced; tickets on sale Saturday
Garth Brooks speaks during a news conference on Dec. 11, 2009, the debut night of his new show at the Wynn Las Vegas. (Associated Press file photo)
Since December, Oklahoma country music star Garth Brooks has performed to sold-out crowds and rave reviews in his exclusive run at the intimate Encore Theater at the Wynn Las Vegas resort and casino.
Tickets for the next series of his highly-anticipated solo shows at the Wynn go on sale at 6 a.m. Oklahoma time Saturday. Tickets are $125 plus service charge and tax (or $143 total), according to a PRNewswire report.
Upcoming concert dates:
March 26, 27, 28
April 9, 10, 11
June 25, 26, 27
July 16, 17, 18
August 6, 7, 8
Concert times are 8 p.m. Fridays, 8 and 10:30 p.m. Saturday and 8 p.m. Sundays.
Tickets may be booked by calling (702) 770-1000 or going online to www.wynnlasvegas.com/boxoffice. The name for each individual ticket holder must be provided at time of purchase for the transaction to be completed. Tickets will not be available for purchase at the Wynn Box Office Saturday.
Buyers are limited to four tickets per order or per person or per credit card. The age limit for concerts is 5 years or older; anyone younger than 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
Go to www.visitwynn.com/terms/garthtickets for a complete list of terms and conditions.
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Vince Gill talks about National Cowboy Museum’s “The Guitar” exhibit
Country Music Hall of Famer Vince Gill is among the stars who have loaned guitars to the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum for the new exhibit “The Guitar: Art, Artists and Artisans,” opening today.
The exhibit includes guitars from several country music luminaries with Oklahoma ties: Gill, Garth Brooks, Toby Keith and duo Brooks & Dunn (which includes former Tulsan Ronnie Dunn). It also features guitars from country stars Lynn Anderson, Eddy Arnold and Marty Robbins.
To read my story on “The Guitar” exhibit, click here.
Gill, who was born in Tulsa and raised in Oklahoma City, recently talked to my colleague Bryan Painter about the exhibit, guitars and golf clubs. Here is a Q&A version of their conversation:
Q: Was your first guitar a gift or one you went out and bought?
A: As a matter of fact that guitar that is going to hang at the (museum) is the very first guitar I ever remember seeing. It was my father’s (Stan), who has since passed away. That’s why I chose it, just because I got my own guitar when I was 10 but until then, that was the guitar that I tried to learn on. He had two guitars, that’s the one I was always drawn to, to try to learn to play. I think it’s got to be the first instrument I ever remember seeing.
Q: What do you look for in a guitar?
A: It has to feel right in your hands. Some necks are bigger than others. Some neck profiles are different. It’s still all about how one sounds and how one feels in your hands. If it doesn’t sound good to you, if it doesn’t feel good to you, you’ll never play it. I don’t remember ever picking up a guitar that didn’t feel good to me. It’s interesting, I’m such a guitar snob of sorts. I know what neck profiles are by the years the instruments are, so you already kind of know going in here’s a 1940 Martin guitar, D-28 or something. You have a pretty good idea what the neck’s going to feel like.
Q: Which is tougher to select, a guitar or golf clubs?
A: They’re the same. I don’t know that one’s tougher. A golf club has to have the right loft and lie and stiffness of shaft, and all of those things have got to feel great in your hands, too. They have to work in a mathematical way. You get a shaft that’s too limber or too light, it won’t perform. It has to match your swing speed and how hard you hit it. It’s the same with a guitar.
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Video: National Cowboy Museum’s “The Guitar” exhibit
The National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum opens its new exhibit “The Guitar: Art, Artists and Artisans” today. Don Reeves, the museum’s McCasland Chair of Cowboy Culture, talks about the exhibit in this NewsOK video.
The public is invited to a free preview of the exhibit from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday at the museum.
The exhibit showcases about 50 instruments, from historic models dating to the 19th century to ornately tuneful tributes to music legends. It features guitars played by country music stars Garth Brooks, Vince Gill, Toby Keith, Brooks & Dunn, Lynn Anderson, Eddy Arnold and Marty Robbins.
It also includes elaborately decorated Gibsons paying homage to Elvis, B.B. King and Les Paul and a huge chandelier featuring 12 of Dallas artist Amanda Dunbar’s Swarovski crystal-encrusted guitars.
Brooks, who was born, raised and lives in Oklahoma, said in an e-mail that he is thrilled to have one his signature Takamine guitars in the exhibit.
“I am excited to have anything of mine in the Cowboy Hall of Fame. I believe I have a career because of the men and the women who wear the hat. This is truly an honor,” he said.
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From Gibsons to Garth Brooks’, National Cowboy Museum’s “The Guitar” exhibit showcasing variety of instruments
Curator Don Reeves show the artwork on a Gibson Elvis Presley tribute guitar on The guitar is part of the new exhibit “The Guitar: Art, Artist and Artisans” opening today at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum. (Photo by Chris Landsberger/The Oklahoman)
From Friday’s Weekend Look section of The Oklahoman.
Exhibit brings music to the eyes
The only instrument whose master players gain “god” status takes center stage this weekend at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum.
The special exhibition “The Guitar: Art, Artists and Artisans” opens today, showcasing about 50 instruments, from historic models dating to the 19th century to elaborately tuneful tributes to music legends. The public is invited to a free preview of the exhibit from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday at the museum.
Guest curator Don Cusic hopes the show captures the imaginations of museum visitors, just like guitar-slinging heroes from Elvis Presley and The Beatles to Brad Paisley and Kings of Leon have ensnared the passions of music-loving teenagers.
“Guitars are cool,” said Cusic, a professor of music business at Belmont University in Nashville, Tenn. “The guitar is the most popular instrument in America; more people play the guitar than any other instrument. …
“The guitar is the basis of most of the records made today and what you hear on the radio.”
Just as the instrument’s musical influence runs the gamut from country and folk to rock and pop, the exhibit offers a wide range of specimens, from elaborately decorated Gibsons paying homage to Elvis, B.B. King and Les Paul to guitars played by country music stars Garth Brooks, Vince Gill, Toby Keith, Brooks & Dunn, Lynn Anderson, Eddy Arnold and Marty Robbins.
“Some of these guitars are used like a canvas for an artist,” said Don Reeves, the museum’s McCasland Chair of Cowboy Culture. “Then, there’s the high artistic craftsmanship in the creation of some of these guitars, as well as the music these musical artists make.”
The exhibit includes millions of dollars worth of instruments and traces the iconic relationship between cowboys and guitars. Reeves pulls on thin cotton gloves as he gingerly lifts a simple wooden C.F. Martin, a rare early model from about 1840.
“Cowboys did not ride up the Chisholm Trail with these strapped on their back. The rough life a cowboy did not lend itself to this. What you had at most of the cowboy ranch dances were the banjos and fiddles. At the time, this was much more popular down in Mexico,” he said.
The show also includes new Gibson acoustic guitars that recreate historically significant models like the now-scarce Super 400 arch body.
“It was the guitar that Roy Rogers made famous as a singing cowboy,” Reeves said. “A lot of people when they think of the American guitar, they think of cowboys. They think they go together. What really created that were the singing cowboys of the 1930s and the 1940s on radio and then … movies and television.”
Many artists use the guitar as a canvas to honor the connection between cowpokes and the instrument. The Gibson Western Sky model is decorated with polychrome carvings of a bucking bronco and climbing roses, while El Reno resident Bobby Boyles, owner of Oklahoma Vintage Guitar, has loaned a Washburn on which he painted a praying cowboy.
On the other hand, Muscogee Creek artist Dru WhiteFeather honors his American Indian heritage through his artistic guitars adorned with paintings, tooled leather and beadwork.
Dallas artist Amanda Dunbar, 27, explores her love for bling through her line of Precious Rebels guitars, which are encrusted with colorful Swarovski crystals she painstakingly places to create intricate designs. A dozen of her guitars are arranged in a large shimmering chandelier that is a centerpiece of the show.
“I kind of like to bridge that gap between fashion and music and visual arts and sound and light,” said Dunbar, who plans to visit the exhibit, in a phone interview. “I just have such an appreciation for music that it just seemed like a really cool idea.”
Of course, no guitar exhibit would be complete without featuring favored instruments played by Oklahoma music stars. Gill loaned the museum the first guitar he ever remembers seeing, which belonged to his late father Stan, while Keith contributed a worn acoustic model he used as an up-and-comer playing the club scene. From Brooks, the exhibit includes a Takamine with his signature sound hole shaped like a guitar body.
“I am excited to have anything of mine in the Cowboy Hall of Fame. I believe I have a career because of the men and the women who wear the hat. This is truly an honor,” Brooks said in an e-mail.
On exhibit
“The Guitar: Art, Artists and Artisans”
Where: National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, 1700 NE 63.
When: today-May 9.
Preview: A free public preview is set for 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday.
Information: 478-2250 or www.nationalcowboymuseum.org.
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Coalgate Country Showdown pays tribute to former contestant Garth Brooks
Garth Brooks (Associated Press photo)
Hosted by country star LeAnn Rimes, the 28th Annual Colgate Country Showdown had its national finals earlier this week at the historic Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tenn.
America’s largest country music talent search, the Colgate Country Showdown finals pitted five regional winners competing for $100,000 and the title “Best New Act in Country Music.”
The show also featured a tribute to former contestant, Oklahoman Garth Brooks.
Each year, more than 50,000 artists compete in local competitions throughout the U.S. for the Colgate Country Showdown. All participants are judged on five core criteria: Marketability in Country Music, Vocal/Instrumental Ability, Originality of Performance, Stage Presence/Charisma and Talent.
Past local, state and regional winners include Brooks, Tishomingo resident Miranda Lambert, Brad Paisley, Martina McBride, Billy Ray Cyrus and Sara Evans.
The one-hour final was taped for television and is nationally syndicated to air in spring.
This year’s winner is Karla Davis (pictured) of Monroe, N.C., who has been involved in music productions since she was a young girl. To hear and to learn more about her, go to www.KarlaDavisMusic.com.
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Country Weekly celebrates 15th anniversary
Oklahoma star Garth Brooks appeared on the cover of the first issue of Country Weekly magazine, which is celebrating its 15th anniversary
Country Weekly magazine is celebrating its 15th anniversary with a special issue on sale today.
Oklahoman Garth Brooks was on the cover and Faith Hill was just launching her career on April 12, 1994, when Country Weekly magazine hit the streets for the first time. Since then, the Nashville, Tenn.-based publication has seen and covered a vareity of news from the country music world, from the highs of hit records, major award shows and stadium concerts to the sad stories of divorces, lost record deals and the deaths of beloved stars.
Along the way, Country Weekly has earned the rabid loyalty of fans throughout the U.S., as well as in several other countries, and has acquired a reputation as the “go-to” source for country radio personalities who want the latest scoop on stars ranging from legendary icons to newcomers.
In the special Dec. 28 collector’s edition, the publication takes a look back at how far the magazine and the industry have come since 1994. It includes a timeline of major industry happenings over the past 15 years, plus often-funny photos of how current stars looked way back when. (Taylor Swift was just 5 years old then.)
Also in the special issue are memorable covers throughout the years, selected photos from visits to artists’ homes and a great selection of more than 50 comments from country stars wishing Country Weekly well and congratulating the publication for notching 15 years.
“It’s hard to believe 15 years have passed since Country Weekly was launched,” says Editor in Chief Larry Holden in a news release. “Covering the industry and the music we love has been a labor of love for all of us on staff, and we couldn’t be more grateful to our loyal readers and to the artists who’ve been so cooperative through the years as we’ve endeavored to tell their stories.
“Our goal is always to take our readers places they’d like to go—whether backstage at a concert, on an artist’s tour bus, in a star’s living room or inside the recording studio. We look forward to doing that and much more for at least another 15 years.”
Readers can see every cover of CW for the past 15 years at www.countryweekly.com/covers.
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Garth Brooks, Trisha Yearwood celebrate anniversary at McDonald’s
Trisha Yearwood and Garth Brooks (Associated Press photo)
Oklahoma country stars Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood recently celebrated their fourth wedding anniversary at a McDonald’s after plans for a fancy dinner fell through, reports the Seattle Post-Intelligencer.
Brooks planned a celebratory meal for his wife and daughters from his first marriage Saturday in Las Vegas after playing first show of his five-year stint at the Wynn Encore Casino resort. But the Owasso residents had to modify their plans at the last minute because of a change in youngest daughter Allie’s school schedule.
“We had a big night planned and at the last minute they moved the youngest one’s Christmas carol program to that night,” Brooks told People.com.
“I promised them a big, fancy dinner, but we went and grabbed McDonald’s fries and went home.”
Brooks and Yearwood wed on Dec. 10, 2005.
Saturday’s Vegas show brought an end to Brooks’ nearly decade-long retirement from touring and recording.
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Garth Brooks suing Yukon hospital
Garth Brooks (Associated Press photo)
Country music star Garth Brooks is suing his hometown hospital in Rogers County District Court.
The Oklahoman’s Sonya Colberg reports that Brooks wants Integris Canadian Valley Regional Hospital in Yukon to return his $500,000 donation because the hospital failed to name a building after his mother. His mother, Colleen, died of cancer in 1999.
When Brooks donated the money anonymously four years ago, he stipulated that a hospital building be named after his mother.
“Mr. Brooks has nothing to add to the petition. This deals with his mother, the home town and the people he grew up with and is deeply personal,” said his spokeswoman Nancy Seltzer, in an e-mail to The Oklahoman.
Integris spokeswoman Brooke Cayot told Sonya, “While we can’t comment on pending litigations, we are optimistic this will come to a swift and amicable resolution.”
Read the rest of Sonya’s story by clicking here.
Brooks was born in Tulsa, raised in Yukon and now lives in Owasso. He recently emerged from a nearly decade-long retirement to embark on a series of exclusive shows at a Las Vegas resort.
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Garth Brooks featured on Country Weekly cover
Garth Brooks (Associated Press photo)
Oklahoma music superstar Garth Brooks is featured on the cover of the Nov. 30 issue of Country Weekly magazine, on sale now.
The cover story, titled “Back to Stay?,” discusses Brooks’ recent decision to come out of retirement to play a series of exclusive shows in Las Vegas.
Fellow country music stars, including fellow Oklahoman Blake Shelton, weigh in on his return, and the story examines what his emergence from retirement will mean for the industry.
“There is probably not a bigger Garth fan than me,” Shelton tells the magazine.
Jimmy Wayne tells the publication that Brooks has influenced him in more ways than professionally.
“I have always admired him as a person,” Wayne says. “Although I’ve never met him, I’ve heard so many great stories about how kind and generous he is.”
The Nov. 30 issue also includes a feature about Oklahoma star Toby Keith’s new song “Cryin’ for Me (Wayman’s Song),” his musical tribute to Oklahoma basketball player turned musician Wayman Tisdale.
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Trisha Yearwood plans to release second cookbook in 2010
Trisha Yearwood (Associated Press photo)
Country music star and Owasso resident Trisha Yearwood is planning a a follow-up to her best-selling 2008 cookbook ”Georgia Cooking in an Oklahoma Kitchen.”
“Home Cooking with Trisha Yearwood” will be released in April 6, 2010. She once again worked with mother Gwen Yearwood and sister Beth Yearwood Bernard to compile her second book of hearty Southern family favorites.
The book will feature practical recipes, personal anecdotes and delicious depictions of the hearty fare you’ll find at Yearwood family gatherings, according TrishaYearwood.com.
“Home Cooking with Trisha Yearwood” focuses on recipes culled from recent gatherings and shared meals, and the stories behind them that feature her extended family and close circle of friends.
Trisha Yearwood found 60 or 70 recipes on the chopping block. However, she wasn’t sure those leftovers would ever end up in print since she says it takes about a year to put a cookbook together. To help her make the decision, she enlisted family members to bring their favorite dishes to a reunion — along with the recipe. Then she divided the stack of recipes between herself, her sister and their mother, plucking the best ones. The result is Home Cooking With Trisha Yearwood, a new book being served in April 2010.
The new cookbook will include recipes for one-pot dishes, pastas, salads, refreshments, desserts, and more, including, Garth’s Breakfast Bowl; Cowboy Lasagna; Cornbread Salad with French Dressing; Vegetable Pie; Spice Cake with Lemon Sauce and Grandma Yearwood’s Coconut Cake.
In a phone interview with CMT.com, Yearwood said had 60 or 70 recipes left on the chopping block after she finished her first cookbook, but she wasn’t sure if she was going to spend another year putting together a second cookbook. She enlisted family members to bring their favorite dishes to a reunion, along with the recipes. Then, she divided the stack of recipes between herself, her sister and their mother, plucking the best ones.
In the CMT interview from the Oklahoma home she shares with husband and fellow country star Garth Brooks, Yearwood also talked about cooking meals for her friends, sharing (or not sharing) famous recipes and holding out for the best brownies. Read it by clicking here.
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