Monday, October 19, 2009

GARTH BROOKS TO PLAY LAS VEGAS

Garth Brooks is making his official performance comeback. The country superstar teamed up with Las Vegas developer Steve Wynn Thursday October 15th to announce a five-year run at the Encore Theater at the Wynn Las Vegas. The show is being described as a walk through Brooks' musical journey, and are slated to feature solo acoustic performances in an intimate setting. But the singer admitted that his wife Trisha Yearwood would most likely make many guest appearances. Brooks also said he'd be welcoming friends to join him for shows, and suggested that some dates might feature him with his band. He emphasized that his goal was to make each show special, and promised that no two performances would be the same. Brooks, who retired from showbusiness in 2001 to dedicate himself to his now-teenage daughters, added that his children are still his top priority. He noted that he signed on with Wynn with his family's blessing.

Earlier that morning, Brooks appeared on the stage of the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville where he announced that he was coming out of retirement. At the same time, he said that he didn't see a new album or a tour coming for five years.

Brooks will be playing 15 weekends a year at the Encore, which includes one show on Fridays, two on Saturdays, and one on Sundays. He'll begin his Vegas run on December 11th. Tickets for the first five weeks go on sale October 24th.

Sunday, October 11, 2009

DIERKS BENTLEY RIDES FOR KIDS

It was sunny and about 70 degrees as Dierks Bentley began his 4th annual Miles & Music Celebrity Motorcycle Ride. Several hundred riders joined Dierks, as well as Montgomery Gentry's Troy Gentry and Wynonna. The group traveled about 15 miles from a shopping center south of Nashville to the Riverfront Stage in downtown Music City. There, Dierks met up with Darius Rucker and Eric Church for a concert. The Ride benefits the Vanderbilt University Children's Hospital, and it took on new meaning for Dierks this year. The night before last year's Ride, his daughter Evie was born in that hospital. Now she's happy and healthy, and getting ready for her first Halloween. Dierks will expand his Miles & Music Ride to his hometown of Phoenix next months, and other cities next year.