I Saw One of My Heros Tonight

And he didn't disappoint.

I have wanted to see Garth Brooks live since I was a little girl. He was and still is one of my biggest influences.

I met Garth Brooks with my best friend backstage at Opryland. There were so many corridors behind the scenes at Opryland and it never got old having access to them all. :) Especially as a 10 year old! Plus, everything was connected... the Park, the Opryland Hotel, TNN, The Grand Ole Opry House, and The Acuff Theater. Ughh. It makes me sad to think of how much is gone since they tore down the park.

Garth must have been appearing on one of the TNN shows - Crook and Chase or Ralph Emery because he was coming out of the TNN studios. Or maybe he was just in a rehearsal. It was so awesome to be a part of Kid's Club - I mean, we got the chance
to be on all the TNN shows at one time or another (and some multiple times). And when rehearsal rooms were booked up... there were a few times where we used the television studios as rehearsal spaces instead.

So Sarah and I (probably about 12 at the time) were walking back from either a show or just hanging out in the park - not sure why we were alone... that was unusual... Or maybe I just don't remember there being adults with us. But we saw a crowd of people gathered right outside the door of the TV Studio and wondered what was going on. As we got closer, we realized it was ONE OF MY FAVORITES!!!!! GARTH BROOKS!!!! I have NO idea who the other people were that were standing around, but we both walked right up to him and asked for his autograph. He was so kind and took time with BOTH of us to talk and write a little note with his signature. He was at the height of his success, but I will NEVER forget the way he made me feel. And especially thinking back now... What a gentleman. He is as genuine as he seems on stage and in interviews.

And Lord what an entertainer. I had tears and got chills on song after song tonight. He's still got it! And he did so much for country music. It's crazy to think back when people thought his music was too "cross over". I mean, that is a COUNTRY boy up on that stage. There's no doubt about it. But it's no secret that I love when a certain style of music has mass appeal. It's good to break boundaries. And it's amazing how many people who didn't consider themselves "country" fans fell in love with Garth Brooks. (which to me is a GOOD thing for country music as a whole)

We were at the first show tonight. And though there were kinks in the sound and they were still figuring things out... as James said when we left... it was so cool to get to watch him soak in every moment as he was back on that big stage for the first time since his retirement! He's been doing acoustic shows in Vegas... but nothing beats the full band/ full lights/ giant stage set up!

I sang my little heart out. And I thought my heart was gonna GIVE out when Trisha Yearwood entered the stage and sang "In Another's Eyes" with him. WOW. Amazing.

SO yup. I met one of my hero's years ago, but tonight I got to see him DO what continues to inspire me. :)

Look at that sold out crowd.


Peace. Love. Fiddle.
~natalie