Beech Tree News Network

He’s back! Garth Brooks is not only back.  He’s back with full force.  Garth had “The wait is over…7/7”.  A few days later, Garth announced that a new world tour AND a new album was in the works.  In fact, there’s probably more than one new Garth album on the horizon.  These announcements have me, a Garth fan since 1989, very excited.
He officially retired from music in 2001.  He has released three boxed sets, all of which I own.  His last two albums, 1997’s Sevens (for his seventh album) and 2001’s Scarecrow were major.  Okay, maybe Sevens was bigger than Scarecrow.  He currently has 19 #1 hits, with his most recent being “More Than a Memory” in 2001.  He briefly emerged from retirement in 2005 shortly after the death of Chris Ledoux to release “Good Ride Cowboy”.  The song peaked at #3 on the country charts. 
In December 2010, Garth performed a series of benefit concerts at Bridgestone Arena five months after the Nashville Flood.  I had the privilege to attend two of those shows.  I also went to a few of his shows in the early to mid ‘90’s.  Between that and having every single one of his albums, you could say I’m a big fan.
Garth will kick off his new tour September 4 at 7:30 at the All-State Arena in Chicago, Illinois.  Tickets go on sale July 25 at 10 am.  I figure they’ll be sold out at 10:02.  Garth has plenty of room to add shows after the first sells out, as his All-State Arena kickoff is bookended by Marco Antonio Solis on August 23 and Ed Sheeran September 16. 
Will I be able to attend one of these shows? Time will tell, but I doubt it.  At any rate, the return of Garth is a major boost to country music.  This of course begs the question: does today’s country listening audience still want Garth? In a world of Florida Georgia Line, Luke Bryan and Band Perry, does Garth fit? Is there room for country music in this “country” that’s about 96% pop? I’d say so.  Garth is certainly not an old fogey.  He’ll be just fine.  In fact, I expect he’ll keep these guys out of their normal residence at #1. 
I can’t wait to hear and see what Garth has in store for country fans!

Hello.  My name is Andy Sullivan.  I received my bachelor’s degree in business from Mid-Continent University in June 2009.  I began writing for beechtree in July 2009.  I enjoy writing, photography, watching basketball and football, and playing guitar.  I also write a blog that encompasses sports and entertainment, called Sports and More, at http://andyuk79.tumblr.com If you have any comments, please leave them in the space below.  Thanks for reading!