Photo gallery: Garth Brooks’ big week
Country music star Garth Brooks appears at a news conference in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, Oct. 15, 2009. Brooks announced that he’s coming out of retirement. He retired in 2000 to spend more time with his three children, and since then has appeared occasionally at special events, awards shows, and charity events. (Associated Press photo)
Oklahoma superstar Garth Brooks experienced a busy and happy few days last week.
On Thursday, he announced in a Nashville press conference that he was coming out of retirement after nine years of staying mostly off the road and out of the recording studio.
Later that day, he traveled to Las Vegas, where he and casino owner Steve Wynn announced in another press conference that Brooks is becoming the resident performer at the Encore Theater at Wynn Las Vegas, starting in December.
On Saturday, Brooks, along with football great Barry Sanders and baseball star Robin Ventura, was inducted to the Oklahoma State University Alumni Hall of Fame during OSU’s homecoming festivities.
Here are some memorable moments from Garth’s big week:
Garth Brooks mimics a fiddle player as he answers questions at a news conference in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, Oct. 15, 2009. (AP photo)
Garth Brooks appears at a news conference on the stage of the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, Oct. 15, 2009. (AP photo)
Garth Brooks and his wife, fellow country star Trisha Yearwood, leave the Grand Ole Opry House after Brooks held a news conference in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, Oct. 15, 2009. (AP photo)
Wynn Resorts Chairman and CEO Steve Wynn, right, and country music star Garth Brooks speak during a news conference in Las Vegas, Thursday, Oct. 15, 2009. (AP photo)
Garth Brooks smiles as he fields questions about his new Vegas gig during a news conference in Las Vegas, Thursday, Oct. 15, 2009. (AP photo)
OSU Alumni Hall of Fame 2009 inductees Barry Sanders, Robin Ventura and Garth Brooks wave to the crowd during the walk to the stadium before the college football game between Oklahoma State Universityand the University of Missouri at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla. Saturday, Oct. 17, 2009. (Photo by Doug Hoke/The Oklahoman)
Robin Ventura and Garth Brooks get gifts from fans as they ride to a press conference following their “walk” with the football team OSU-MU game. (Photo by Steve Sisney/The Oklahoman)
Garth Brooks holds up a few of the gifts he received from fans during the homecoming festivities. (Photo by Steve Sisney/The Oklahoman)
Barry Sanders, Garth Brooks and Robin Ventura speak at a press conference before the college football game between Oklahoma State University and the University of Missouri at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla. Saturday, Oct. 17, 2009. (Photo by Steve Sisney/The Oklahoman)
Garth Brooks hoists the Alumni Hall of Fame Plaque during the OSU-MU game at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla. Saturday, Oct. 17, 2009. (Photo by Sarah Phipps/The Oklahoman)
Barry Sanders, left, Robin Ventura, center, and Garth Brooks, right, walk off the field after being introduced to the crowd during the OSU-MU game in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Oct. 17, 2009. (AP photo)
-BAM
Oklahomans excited about the end of Garth Brooks’ retirement
Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood (Associated Press photo)
The excitement about Oklahoma music superstar Garth Brooks’ decision to come out of retirement is bubbling over in his home state.
The Owasso resident announced Thursday that he plans to end his nine-year retirement and play a series of special engagements beginning Dec. 11 at the Encore Theater at Wynn Las Vegas.
Brooks, who was born in Tulsa and raised in Yukon, likened his upcoming solo acoustic shows in Vegas to performances he used to give at Willie’s Saloon, a Stillwater bar where he played often early in his career.
From Willie’s Saloon manager Joe Farmer and Eskimo Joe’s founder Stan Clark to Yukon Mayor Bob Bradway and Oklahoma Gov. Brad Henry, my colleagues George Lang and Nathan Poppe collected excited reactions from several Oklahomans.
“It’s also exciting news for Oklahoma, a state fortunate enough to have a tremendous and storied musical legacy,” Henry told them. “Garth Brooks has always been a terrific ambassador for his home state, and we look forward to him making music again.”
Brooks’ big announcement has added an extra degree of anticipation to the homecoming festivities this weekend at his alma mater. Brooks, along with Barry Sanders and Robin Ventura, will be added to the Oklahoma State University Alumni Hall of Fame on Saturday.
Brooks retired from recording and touring in 2001, saying he wanted to spend more time in Owasso with his three daughters, now 13, 15 and 17. While he initially planned to stay retired until the youngest turned 18, he said that his children and second wife, country star Trisha Yearwood, support his decision to return to performing.
“We’ve talked about this, they’re excited,” Brooks said. “The girls are excited to see me get out of the house.”
Read more of Nathan and George’s great story by clicking here.
-BAM
Garth Brooks taking solo acoustic shows to Las Vegas casino
Garth Brooks (Associated Press photo)
Well, it was no shocker that Oklahoma country superstar Garth Brooks announced today that he is indeed casting off retirement to become the resident performer at the Encore Theater at Wynn Las Vegas. Word of his Vegas deal had leaked far and wide over the Internet and in the music industry in the past few days.
But Brooks and Steve Wynn, chairman of the board and CEO of Wynn Resorts, did offer a surprise during this afternoon’s Vegas press conference officially announcing the Oklahoma native’s new gig.
Brooks, who in the 1990s changed the way country artists played live with his extravagant rock-inspired stadium shows, won’t be bringing Vegas-style glitz to his casino concerts.
Instead, he will be putting on solo acoustic shows, according to CMT.com. And he expects they will take him back to his college days of gigging in venues around his alma mater, Oklahoma State University.
“It’s a one-man show, so there’s going to be a lot of disappointment after that first weekend,” he joked. “Coming out and just playing – just me and a guitar – takes me back to the first days I got to play. I was lucky enough to do a place called Wild Willie’s Saloon in Stillwater, OK, before I moved to Nashville and started touring. That’s what this is going to be for me. It’s a chance to slowly get back into it to see what people like, what they don’t like. It’s going to be very intimate.”
He said the theater also presents his voice to its best advantage.
“I’m always in buildings that are built for sports,” he said. “I love sports, and I feel lucky to have arenas and stadiums. But I’ve never played in a place built for sound like this. When I hear myself, I go, ‘Who the hell is that?’ It’s a beautiful hall.”
Brooks will begin his stint at the Encore Theater Dec. 11. The shows are expected to last 90 minutes, according to CMT.
He will perform one show on Fridays, two on Saturdays and one on Sunday. Tickets are priced at $125 and will go on sale Oct. 24 for the first five weekends. The dates are Dec. 11-13, Jan. 1-3 and 22-24 and Feb. 12-14 and 26-28.
According to CMT, Brooks, who was born in Tulsa and raised in Yukon, inked a five-year deal that allows him to perform only during specific weeks each year to be announced on a quarterly basis.
Brooks said Wynn succeeded in drawing him out of retirement by catering to his desire to continue to spend time with his family. The star announced his retirement about nine years ago, stating then that he planned to delay any further recording and touring until his youngest daughter, Allie, then 4, graduated high school. Allie is now 13; her older sisters Taylor and August are 17 and 15, respectively.
“I am a fortunate guy that has got to live his life playing music for people, and the people have always taken care of me,” CMT quotes Brooks as saying. “In 2001, I announced my retirement to go home and raise our kids in Oklahoma. When Steve Wynn approached me about playing, he did something different than anybody else had. He didn’t throw money at me.”
Wynn is providing Brooks with a private jet so he can commute between Vegas and his Oklahoma home. Brooks, second wife Trisha Yearwood, his daughters and their mother, Sandy Mahl, all make their home in Owasso.
He apparently got a chance to try out that jet today, announcing the end of his retirement at a morning press conference in Nashville and then confirming his Vegas deal with an afternoon presser in Sin City.
According to CMT, the Brooks deal grew out of a series of conversations he had with Wynn. He eventually played an informal concert for some of Wynn’s friends and special guests, including Bette Midler. Brooks joins the ranks of star-level performers like Celine Dion and Prince who have gone the lucrative Vegas headlining route.
And judging from Brooks’ comments today, the deal will make the star significant coin. He said when Wynn first proposed it, he told the casino tycoon he couldn’t afford him.
Brooks then added, “I was wrong.”
-BAM
Garth Brooks coming out of retirement
Garth Brooks (Associated Press photo)
The speculation turned out to be true: Oklahoma music superstar Garth Brooks announced today that he is coming out of retirement.
Brooks, 47, made the announcement at a press conference today in Nashville, Tenn.
“We’re going to take the retirement roof off over our head, and I already feel taller,” Brooks said Thursday.
According to the Associated Press, Brooks said he has no immediate plans and will see how things go in the coming years.
But at www.GarthBrooks.com, visitors are invited to watch the Wynn/Encore live press conference at 2 p.m. Pacific/4 p.m. Central. Rumors have been swirling around the music industry that the Oklahoma native will headline a series of concerts next year at the Encore/Wynn Casino and Resort in Las Vegas.
Brooks, who was born in Tulsa and grew up in Yukon, announced his retirement in 2000. He said then and has often repeated that he didn’t plan to record or tour again until the youngest of his three daughters, Allie, then 4, went off to college.
He and second wife Trisha Yearwood, whom he married in 2005, live in Owasso near his three daughters and ex-wife, Sandy Mahl.
In the past decade, Brooks has occasionally put in special appearances at awards shows and charity events. He inducted fellow Oklahoman Carrie Underwood into the Grand Ole Opry last year, and he performed at President Obama’s inauguration earlier this year.
Brooks’ last studio album, “Scarecrow,” was released in 2001. His three-disc compilation “The Ultimate Hits” finished 10th on Billboard’s 2008 list of albums, proving he still has the fan appeal he did in the 1990s.
It will be interesting to see what Brooks has to say about his date with Sin City later today.
-BAM
Trisha Yearwood supports Campbell Soup-Grammy Foundation partnership
Trisha Yearwood (Associated Press photo)
Campbell Soup Company and the Grammy Foundation announced Tuesday plans to make music education more accessible in tens of thousands of schools across America. And Oklahoma country star Trisha Yearwood through her support behind the project.
According to a news release, research has shown that when students have access to arts, they tend to also perform better in the classroom. Unfortunately, music programs are being eliminated at many elementary and secondary schools due to budget pressures affecting schools across the country.
To help address this troubling trend, Campbell is partnering with the Grammy Foundation to provide schools access to the sort of innovative resources needed to offer students a well-rounded education. Through the partnership, the Grammy Foundation’s proprietary Discovery Through Music curriculum will be made available to nearly 60,000 schools nationwide that are registered in this year’s Labels for Education program.
The partnership was announced at the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles, Calif., by Yearwood, a three-time Grammy Award-winning singer. She pledged her support for the initiative and talked about the importance of music education in her life. She also gave recognition to the music teachers that always encouraged her to explore an interest in music.
“Learning about music not only fueled my career, but it also helped me to become a stronger student by thinking creatively about how to learn and explore new ideas,” said Yearwood in a news release. In addition to her successful music career, Yearwood, who lives in Owasso, is also a New York Times best-selling cookbook author.
Several Grammy Foundation Artist Ambassadors, including Carolina Liar members Chad Wolf and Rickard Göransson, Crosby Loggins, Dave Koz and Mindi Abair, also were in attendance to endorse the new partnership. These artists will participate in and help promote the program during the upcoming school year.
More information on the programs is included after the break.
BAM’s Country Music Minute: Carrie Underwood, CMT Music Awards and more
This week’s video includes news about Carrie Underwood, the 2009 CMT Music Awards and more. Give it a look.
-BAM
Trisha Yearwood talks philanthropy, Mother’s Day and more
Trisha Yearwood (Associated Press photo)
Oklahoma country music star Trisha Yearwood, wife of fellow star Garth Brooks, recently talked to Parade.com about several topics.
The interview covers their work with Habitat for Humanity, her Mother’s Day plans and the progress on her second cookbook.
The Owasso resident also talks about the challenges that face fellow Oklahoman Carrie Underwood, Julianne Hough and other music stars that get their big break on reality TV.
To read the interview, click here.
-BAM
CMA honors Brooks & Dunn, Dierks Bentley with International Artists Achievement Awards
Brooks & Dunn (Photo by Sarah Phipps/The Oklahoman Archives)
Dierks Bentley
NASHVILLE, Tenn.- Kix Brooks and Tulsan Ronnie Dunn of Brooks & Dunn and Dierks Bentley, all acclaimed internationally as musicians and performers, each received the distinct privilege of being presented with the CMA International Artist Achievement Award for their contributions to country music overseas.
They were presented the awards backstage at the Acer Arena May 6 in Sydney, during the final stop of their hugely successful Australian tour, according to a news release.
The International Artist Achievement Awards were presented by CMA Board member Rob Potts, CEO of Rob Potts Entertainment Edge, and Ray Hadley from Radio 2GB and currently Australia’s No. 1 rated radio presenter.
“Halfway around the world, it is easy to say, but it takes an amazing amount of coordination and commitment from so many people to pull it off, and ultimately, and most importantly, the support from the fans,” Brooks said in the release. “As usual, we get to just walk out on stage and do our thing, but it’s hard not to stand there in Sydney, or wherever, and go, ‘Wow, how did this happen?!’ Thanks so much to everyone who shared this experience with us!”
“It’s fantastic to be recognized by the CMA after all my international touring in Japan, Europe and now Australia – this is very cool,” said a surprised Bentley, according to the release.
“I can’t think of any more deserving U.S. artists to win this award,” Potts said in the release. “Their tour here has had a huge impact on the profile of country music in this territory and it’s fantastic that we were able to present the awards to them in Australia. It’s also terrific to have a former CMA International Broadcaster of the Year and Australia’s No. 1 rating radio presenter, Ray Hadley, here to help us surprise the guys with their awards.”
“It’s fantastic that artists like Brooks & Dunn and Dierks make the effort to travel half way around the world to play to their Australian fans,” said Hadley in the release. “They bring huge excitement to this market.”
“Ronnie, Kix and Dierks have all impacted and expanded the international marketplace for country music,” said Tammy Genovese, CMA Chief Executive Officer, in the release. “As representatives for country music on a global scale, they are all very deserving of this prestigious award.”
Formerly the International Touring Artist Award, the CMA International Artist Achievement Award recognizes outstanding achievement by a U.S.-based artist who contributes to the awareness and development of country music outside of the United States. Previous winners include Dixie Chicks, Shania Twain, Keith Urban, Trisha Yearwood, and Dwight Yoakam.
Nearly two decades after their music career began the biggest recording duo in country music history arrived in Australia for the first time in February 2008. Back again in 2009 with opening act Dierks Bentley, the high-octane Brooks & Dunn Australian tour played packed venues in Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, and Sydney.
“To have Brooks & Dunn back here twice inside two years is a great boost to country music in the country and it is very fitting that they and Dierks are recognized by the CMA Board for helping grow our genre of music around the world,” Potts said in the release.
Bentley began his international career in 2006 when he participated in CMA’s “New From Nashville” tour performing in Dublin, Glasgow, and London. He has performed at the Country Rendez-vous Festival in Craponne, France; the Seljord Country Festival in Norway; The Borderline in London; and performed at the Country Gold Festival in Japan.
-BAM
Carrie Underwood, Toby Keith, Rascal Flatts nominated for CMT Music Awards
Rascal Flatts accepts the top vocal group award at last week’s Academy of Country Music Awards. (Associated Press photo)
A version of this story appears in Tuesday’s The Oklahoman.
State stars gain a shot at more music awards
Carrie Underwood, Toby Keith, Rascal Flatts, Miranda Lambert, Brooks & Dunn, Reba McEntire and Trisha Yearwood will contend for more awards show glory this summer.
The country stars were nominated Monday for the fan-voted 2009 CMT Music Awards, which will take place June 17 in Nashville, Tenn.
The first-round nominations were announced and fan voting started Monday at Ö www.cmt.com. Fans can vote through May 11 to determine the final nominees, which will be announced May 19.
Underwood is nominated for video of the year and female video of the year for “Just a Dream.” Checotah’s favorite daughter last week won the top award, entertainer of the year, at the Academy of Country Music Awards.
Keith’s “God Love Her” is nominated for video of the year and male video of the year. The Norman resident is nominated for CMT performance of the year for “She’s a Hottie.”
Rascal Flatts, which includes Joe Don Rooney of Picher, is nominated for video of the year for “Every Day.” The band, named the ACM top vocal group last week, is competing against itself in the group video of the year category, with nominations for “Every Day” and “Bob That Head.”
Lambert, who lives in Tishomingo, is nominated for female video of the year for “More Like Her.”
Brooks & Dunn, which features Tulsan Ronnie Dunn, is nominated for duo of the year for “Put a Girl in It.” The duo and Chockie-raised Reba McEntire are nominated for collaborative video of the year for “Cowgirls Don’t Cry.” Brooks & Dunn also are nominated with Keith Urban for CMT performance of the year for “Raise the Barn.”
Yearwood, who lives in Owasso, shares a nomination with Josh Turner for collaborative video for “Another Try.”
The duo Sugarland earned a leading six nominations. Brad Paisley and Taylor Swift each notched four nominations.
The nominees list includes several artists from outside the country music arena such as Kid Rock, Def Leppard, John Mellencamp, Robert Plant and Alison Krauss. The show includes the Wide Open Country Video of the Year category for artists and their work who fall outside the traditional bounds of country music.
-BAM
CMT Music Awards nominees list
Carrie Underwood arrives at last week’s Academy of Country Music Awards. (Associated Press photos)
The first-round nominees for the 2009 CMT Music Awards were announced today. Fans can vote at www.cmt.com.
Here are the nominees; Oklahomans are marked with an asterisk:
Video of the Year
Sugarland, “All I Want to Do.”
Kid Rock, “All Summer Long.”
Kenny Chesney and the Wailers, “Everybody Wants to Go to Heaven.”
* Rascal Flatts, “Every Day.”
* Toby Keith, “God Love Her.”
* Carrie Underwood, “Just a Dream.”
Lady Antebellum, “Looking for a Good Time.”
Taylor Swift, “Love Story.”
Brad Paisley, “Waitin’ on a Woman.”
Trace Adkins, “You’re Gonna Miss This.”
Male Video of the Year
Darius Rucker, “Don’t Think I Don’t Think About It.”
* Toby Keith, “God Love Her.”
Alan Jackson, “Good Time.”
Jamey Johnson, “In Color.”
Jason Aldean, “She’s Country.”
Keith Urban, “Sweet Thing.”
Brad Paisley, “Waitin’ on a Woman.”
Trace Adkins, “You’re Gonna Miss This.”
Miranda Lambert performs at the ACM Awards.
Female Video of the Year
Kellie Pickler, “Don’t You Know You’re Beautiful.”
Heidi Newfield, “Johnny and June.”
* Carrie Underwood, “Just a Dream.”
Lee Ann Womack, “Last Call.”
Taylor Swift, “Love Story.”
* Miranda Lambert, “More Like Her.”
Martina McBride, “Ride.”
Julianne Hough, “That Song in My Head.”
Group Video of the Year
* Rascal Flatts, “Bob That Head.”
Zac Brown Band, “Chicken Fried.”
* Rascal Flatts, “Every Day.”
Little Big Town, “Fine Line.”
Lost Trailers, “Hollerback.”
Lady Antebellum, “Lookin’ for a Good Time.”
Eli Young Band, “When It Rains.”
Gloriana, “Wild at Heart.”
Sugarland performs at last week’s ACM Awards.
Duo of the Year
Sugarland, “All I Want to Do.”
Sugarland, “Already Gone.”
Joey & Rory, “Cheater, Cheater.”
Carter Twins, “Heart Like Memphis.”
Sugarland, “Love.”
* Brooks & Dunn, “Put a Girl in It.”
Montgomery Gentry, “Roll With Me.”
Caitlin & Will, “Stupid Boy.”
Collaborative Video of the Year
* Josh Turner and Trisha Yearwood, “Another Try.”
Rehab and Hank Williams Jr., “Bartender Song.”
* Brooks & Dunn and Reba McEntire, “Cowgirls Don’t Cry.”
Kenny Chesney and the Wailers, “Everybody Wants to Go to Heaven.”
Sugarland, Little Big Town and Jake Owen, “Life in a Northern Town.”
The Raconteurs, Ricky Skaggs and Ashley Monroe, “Old Enough.”
Robert Plant and Alison Krauss, “Please Read the Letter.”
Brad Paisley and Keith Urban, “Start a Band.”
Lady Antebellum performs at last week’s ACM Awards.
USA Weekend Breakthrough Video of the Year
Joey & Rory, “Cheater, Cheater.”
Zac Brown Band, “Chicken Fried.”
Carter Twins, “Heart Like Memphis.”
Jamey Johnson, “In Color.”
James Otto, “Just Got Started Lovin’ You.”
Lady Antebellum, “Lookin’ for a Good Time.”
Julianne Hough, “That Song in My Head.”
Gloriana, “Wild at Heart.”
Wide Open Country Video of the Year
Kevin Costner & Modern West, “Backyard.”
Kid Rock, “All Summer Long.”
Rehab and Hank Williams Jr., “Bartender Song.”
John Mellencamp and Karen Fairchild, “My Sweet Love.”
Def Leppard and Tim McGraw, “Nine Lives.”
The Raconteurs, Ricky Skaggs and Ashley Monroe, “Old Enough.”
Def Leppard and Taylor Swift, “Photograph.”
Robert Plant and Alison Krauss, “Please Read the Letter.”
Robert Plant and Alison Krauss emerged winners at the 2008 CMT Music Awards.
CMT performance of the year
Alan Jackson, George Strait, Brad Paisley and Dierks Bentley, “Country Boy.”
Robert Plant and Alison Krauss, “Gone, Gone, Gone (Done Moved On).”
Sugarland, Little Big Town and Jack Owen, “Life in a Northern Town.”
LeAnn Rimes, “Nothin’ Better to Do.”
Def Leppard and Taylor Swift, “Photograph.”
* Keith Urban and Brooks & Dunn, “Raise the Barn.”
* Toby Keith, “She’s a Hottie.”
Caitlin & Will, “Stupid Boy.”
Director of the Year
Kristin Barlowe, Martina McBride’s “Ride,” James Otto’s “For You and more.
Deaton Flanigan, Rascal Flatts’ “Every Day,” Brooks & Dunn’s “Cowgirls Don’t Cry” and more.
Trey Fanjoy, Trisha Yearwood’s “This Is Me You’re Talking To,” Taylor Swift’s “Love Story” and more.
Wayne Isham, Julianne Hough’s “My Hallelujah Song,” Darius Rucker’s “Don’t Think I Don’t Think About It” and more.
Shaun Silva, Rascal Flatts’ “Bob That Head,” Sugarland’s “Already Gone” and more.
Eric Welch, Heidi Newfield’s “Johnny and June,” Carter Twins’ “Heart Like Memphis” and more.
Roman White, Carrie Underwood’s “Just a Dream,” Reba McEntire’s “Every Other Weekend” and more.
Peter Zavadil, Jewel’s “I Do,” Trace Adkins’ “You’re Gonna Miss This” and more.
-BAM
