Garth Says Goodbye…For Now – Today In Country Music History [VIDEO]
October 26, 2000
Garth Brooks announces his plans to retire from touring during a party to celebrate his certification for sales of 100 million albums at Nashville's Gaylord Entertainment Center. Brooks says he'll record one more album before he quits.
That album, Scarecrow would be his last of original material until this year. The album debuted at #1 on the Billboard Country & Hot 200 (all genre) charts on Novbember 13, 2001. Scarecrow would feature four singles: "Wrapped Up In You" (#5), "Thicker Than Blood" (#18), "Squeeze Me In" (#2) and "When You Come Back To Me" (#21). It has been certified 5x platinum by the RIAA.
Brooks' new album, Man Against The Machine, is set to be released November 11th. It is his first album of new material since 2001. His most recent single, "People Loving People" is the first new single since three were released with his 2007 The Ultimate Hits compilation. Those three singles, "More Than A Memory" (#1), "Working For A Living" (with Huey Lewis) (#19) and "Midnight Sun" (#18), led the two disc, 1 dvd set to platinum status. Two days after the announcement from Brooks that he was exiting retirement, the package was certified both 6x and 7x platinum by the RIAA.
Brooks returned to the stage October 15, 2009 as announced he was coming out of retirement to do weekend performances at the Encore Las Vegas Hotel. This scheduled continued until 2012, allowing Brooks to continue leading the family life he left the lime light for and, at least on a limited basis, return to performing.
October 28, 2010, Garth announced he would do his first "arena" concert in Nashville since 1998. All proceeds benefits the Community Foundation in Middle Tennessee in support of all those Tennessee residents affected by the disastrous flooding that occurred the weekend of May 2, 2010. Then, on July 12, 2012, for one night only, Brooks performed in front of a sold out audience at Scotiabank Saddledome to help the Calgary Stampede celebrate its centennial anniversary.
Then on July 10, 2014, it came. The "Garthnouncement". Brooks held a press conference where he announced his signing with Sony Music Nashville, as well as confirming plans for an upcoming album, a world tour, and the release of his music in a digital format.
On September 3, 2014 Brooks released his comeback single, "People Loving People", in promotion of his world tour and new album, which is set for release Nov. 11th. On September 4, 2014 Garth Brooks released his entire studio output on digital for the first time ever. Bypassing traditional digital music service providers, Brooks opted into releasing his albums directly to fans through his personal website and a new music service called GhostTunes. The tour kicked off in Chicago on Sept 5th with the first of 10 shows in the Windy City.
And with that, Garth Brooks was no longer retired.
2006
Reba McEntire is celebrated in the first CMT Giants concert. Participants include Brooks & Dunn, Faith Hill, Trisha Yearwood, Wynonna, Martina McBride, Barbara Mandrell, Dolly Parton, Jennifer Nettles and LeAnn Rimes
2002
The Statler Brothers head into retirement, playing their final date as a touring act at the Salem Civic Center in Virginia. Their last song: "Amazing Grace"
#1 On This Date
SINGLES
2013 – Thomas Rhett – “It Goes Like This”
2002 – Keith Urban – “Somebody Like You”
1996 – Clint Black – “Like The Rain”
1991 – Travis Tritt – "Anymore"
1985 – The Oak Ridge Boys – “Touch A Hand, Make A Friend”
1974 – Conway Twitty – “I See The Want In Your Eyes”
1968 – Eddy Arnold – “Then You Can Tell Me Goodbye”
1963 – Buck Owens – “Love’s Gonna Live Here”
1959 – The Browns – “The Three Bells”
1946 – Merle Travis – “Divorce Me C.O.D.”
ALBUMS
2013 – Casadee Pope – Frame By Frame
2002 – Elvis Presley – Elvis: 30 #1 Hits
1996 – LeAnn Rimes – Blue
1991 – Garth Brooks – Ropin’ The Wind
1985 – Ronnie Milsap – Greatest Hits Vol. 2
1974 – John Denver – Back Home Again
1968 – Bobbie Gentry & Glen Campbell – Bobbie Gentry & Glen Campbell
Birthdays
Singer/songwriter Kristen Hall (founding member of Sugarland) is 52
Singer/guitarist Keith Urban is 47