I Saw Garth Brooks in Las Vegas After All
After all my bitching on Friday, I actually did get to make a very spontaneous trip to Las Vegas to see Garth Brooks on Saturday (Dec. 12). It is not in my nature, or my budget, to be that spur-of-the-moment, but it was Garth. So, I did what I had to do. There will be the official concert review so I'll spare you the set list and concentrate more on the vibe. Like the outfit. He was in work boots, jeans, a navy sweatshirt and a ball cap. For some fans, that seemed like a letdown. They made comments about wanting to see the cowboy hat version of Garth. Or would it have killed him to put on a fresh shirt so it didn't look like he'd just finished cleaning the gutters? I, for one, thought he could've done his show in pajamas and it still would've been flawless.
In a room so small it looked like a high school auditorium, Brooks gave the crowd a veiled warning: "This is all about my life growing up." So there were covers. A lot of James Taylor, a little Billy Joel, Cat Stevens, Bob Seger, George Jones and George Strait. Brooks even referred to his career as "George Strait Lite." He did what felt like a hundred of his own hits, too. It's just worth noting that covers took up a big chunk of the show.
And then there were the stories: The Things You Never Knew About Garth. He said he wrote "The River" for James Taylor. And that he was worried about doing "The Red Strokes" if there were kids there because it's so frisky. Or that he discovered Billy Joel's "Shameless" when he joined an album club that sent him Joel's Storm Front.
I talked to a lot of fans before and after the show (yes, you, popcorn farmer from Nebraska), and can conclude only this. If you truly love Garth Brooks, it was the perfect show. If you only like him, and are more of a Kenny Chesney/Tim McGraw/Keith Urban kind of country fan, this may not have been the show for you. Then again, hearing him belt out "Shameless" and "The Change" a cappella might've made a Brooks fan out of everyone within a hundred mile radius of the resort.
Photo credit: Henry Dieltz
©2008 Country Music Television, Inc., a Viacom company. A division of
timcun says:
I am more of a Kenny Chesney, Keith Urban, Tim McGraw kind of country fan but still like Garth. I doubt that we’ll have the money to go to Vegas to see him unless the economy picks up.
GarynSheri says:
My wife and I were at the show on Sunday night and were blown away at the intimate feeling of how Garth interacted with everyone even bringing up the lights to take questions. Years ago I attended a concert in Tacoma with 20,000 fans, to see him this close was an amazing treat. I believe he said the farthest seat from the stage is 71 feet. His voice was strong and he is truly an artist/showman.
Big Bully says:
Anyone who would waste their time going to see that hack is a fool….and Brooks is the same kind of country as Chesney, Urban, and McGraw.
Julie4726 says:
Big Bully, What do you suggest? Who do you like.
classic country says:
hell yea big bully save a house note and go see jamey johnson and randy houser this concert inspired me to come home and kick the sh*t out of my non-working brother-by-law
merlefan49 says:
I would see Just to name a few
Dale Watson
Miss Leslie
Levon Helm
The Flatlanders
Tiffany says:
I saw him on Sunday night and he was FANTASTIC brough the crowds to their feet multiple times. He has a charm and aura about him that no other country artist does. Truly one of a kind!!
Lenny says:
Who? Dale Watson? I agree…he’s FANTASTIC!
merlefan49 says:
I have to agree Lenny, Dale Watson is fantastic
barb b says:
i think tricia and garth should invite
carrie to sing with them in las vegas
that would be AWESOME!!!!
Julie4726 says:
We can do without all the drama from Carrie, no thanks
timcun says:
Nothing against Carrie, but I think Garth is doing just fine without her. And he doesn’t need Taylor either……..……….
Shelly says:
I cannot wait to see him next month!!! He can do the show in his pjs….work boots…..or even a dress….I will still be a BIG FAN!!!! Can’t wait!!!
Patti S says:
I was able to get tickets for the June show. I was lucky enough to see in in LV at a benefit at Caesars in 2008. I feel this will be similar-and can’t wait! I have no business going back to LV again this year, but when I got tickets to see GB-duh, yep, we are going. It took me 3 hours, but in order to try not to get tickets at that awful scalpers price, it was worth it. So, my flights are booked, my room is booked, and now working on dinner reservations. I CAN’T WAIT!!!!!
Cindy H says:
I too traveled to Las Vegas as soon as I could to see Garth. I booked the tickets and then said, “I guess we are going to Vegas!” I even sold some belongings to be able to afford the trip! My husband wasn’t thrilled like me, as we vacationed from Maine and he would have preferred to go somewhere like Alaska or Hawaii, but it was great for me! We saw the Valentine’s Day show this year! If anyone is a true Garth fan–this show is for them! You just can’t go wrong with any bit of Garth! I actually liked the boots, hat, jeans, and sweatshirt! The young man on the end of my row went up to the stage and asked Garth to trade hats with him, he introduced himself (and so did Garth–funny, I know) and Garth did trade! That kid kept staring at that hat like it was gold! Oh, and Garth did do an encore show after we made some noise! He also brought Trisha Yearwood along for some songs and got a little jealous when we (supposedly) cheered for her louder than him! They are so cute together!
si si says:
I love garth brooks.He is a good singer. my favoite song by him is How You Ever gonna Know. it is a really good song. I wish i could meet him. it would make me happy.
Jaweaze says:
Garth’s song… “The DANCE”. When that song came out, I was going through a terrible divorce.. I had six kids and a suburban, Financially, I was fine, My soon to be Ex, was living with an 18 year old girl,, younger than my oldest son. It was nearly unbearable. I hated what he was doing. That song helped me get through it. I loved My children, I was truly blessed. I had a deep faith, and was able to get my head back together, I am happily re-married to a wonderful man, but I know that first 20 years with the wrong man was “the DANCE” It let me be the better person I am now. It was a DANCE, an experience, I will never forget what that Dance taught me, and I still weep when I hear it. So glad that I was able to move on, but I knew what that song meant. For me, it gave me the ability to look back and not regret it soo much, It just gave me a window to the next step.. A BETTER DANCE. I would like to write a song about that.. One dance leads to another better one.. on and on it goes.. Thank you GARTH..