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Nashville One Offs: Garth Brooks & Trisha Yearwood, Tim McGraw & Faith Hill
Today’s a lucky day for Garth Brooks’ Nashville fans. The country superstar announced he and his wife Trisha Yearwood will perform in a free concert in Music City later this month … Meanwhile, tickets for a surprise show by Tim McGraw and Faith Hill sold as fast as you might expect.
Photo: Chris Hollo / Grand Ole Opry
Grand Ole Opry House, Nashville, Tenn.
Oct. 24 is the date, Nashville’s Ascend Amphitheater the place for Garth Brooks’ freebie concert. Brooks announced the show while appearing at Legislative Plaza with Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam. The Tennessean reports that the show is “part of a state-sponsored celebration” recognizing Brooks as the first artist to see seven of his albums sell more than 10 million copies. The newspaper notes that Brooks has sold 138 million albums overall.
Brooks and his wife Trisha Yearwood launched their world tour in September 2014, often announcing one city at a time. However, it’s pretty rare, even for Brooks, to have some political star power beside him when naming a new destination.
“Garth Brooks can live and make music anywhere he wants, and the fact that he chooses to do that in Tennessee says so much about our state,” Haslam said. “We’re so proud to claim him – and Trisha – and excited that they represent our state so well and inspire people to visit Tennessee and experience, as we say, the soundtrack of America.”
The concert coincides with Tennessee Tourism’s “The Soundtrack Of America.” The Tennessean says fans must follow “Tennessee” on Snapchat for info on how to snag passes for the freebie.
The Oct. 4 show at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium was originally listed as “Sam & Audrey.” That is, until Tim McGraw announced that the listing was a cover for a surprise performance by himself and wife Faith Hill. The $20 tickets went on sale today at 10 a.m. Nashville time and sold out within 12 minutes.
Photo: Chris Pizzello / Invision / AP
Academy Of Country Music Awards, MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas, Nev.
The show takes place the night before McGraw and Hill receive stars on the Music City Walk of Fame. The ceremony takes place 11:30 a.m. Oct. 5 at Walk Of Fame Park.
“Faith Hill and Tim McGraw both came to Nashville in the 1980s with big dreams and huge talent,” Nashville Mayor Megan Barry said. “Driven by their determination and a lot of hard work, they eventually found great success – and each other. Tim and Faith have made a big difference in our city, not only with their music but also with their generous contributions to many important causes. They deserve to join the many other incredible artists on the Music City Walk of Fame, and I’m looking forward to their induction.”