Close Encounters of the Garth Kind

Musical notes, strummed on a guitar can often cause our ears to perk up and take notice of what is about to happen next.  

Much like the movie Close Encounters, the opening chords of any Garth Brooks song stirs a memory or flashback to a point in the life I share with my equally beautiful and sweet wife Kelly.   It compels us to sing along, put a smile on our face and embrace the emotion of the tune.

Kelly and I each had our own musical tastes before we met.  Some overlapped, while we differed on many others. She preferred the likes of Journey, Michael Stanley Band and Bruce Springsteen.  While I grew up on KISS, Classic Rock, AC/DC and 80's rock and hair metal.  \m/   

Our story with Garth started shortly after we both graduated from Capital University in 1989.  Garth was gaining presence in the Country Music World and we decided to see him perform at the Ohio State Fair in 1991.  I believe it was just prior to his third album Ropin the Wind as he played some selections from the new album in the show.  What a show it was.  To that point, I had not seen many country shows and the energy of his concert was fantastic.  I never expected a country artist to be climbing up the light rigging.  I also felt a connection as Garth explained why the show started a little late as he had to fit into his jeans. 

Kelly and I were married in May of 1992.  I was a little worried when a fixture at her Bridal Shower was a copy of Time Magazine with Garth on the cover.  Seems like any trip or task around the house wasn't complete without the latest album and the previous Garth albums playing in the background.  We were blessed with a son, Jacob in 1994 and our family continued to grow when we were expecting another baby in early August of 1997.   

1997 also brought the return of Garth to Columbus when he planned to do A show in Cooper Stadium.  Amidst all of the preparations for the baby, I knew my duty was to secure tickets to this show!  I made sure to schedule the day off to get a wrist band and another day off when the tickets would go on sale.  I was nervous when the order was announced and found myself well back in line.  Once the sale started, word spread quickly that the show had sold out. But, then they they began adding shows, I grew hopeful but still pensive as I needed to make sure Kelly attended the show. Pensive is a fancy way of saying I was scared to death.  

 I was so relieved when I stepped up to the counter in time to get grandstand tickets for the fifth show scheduled for Tuesday, July 29th.  As Kelly was a week late delivering our first child, we thought it would be no problem attending a concert a week before the Aug 4 due date. No problem.  We got this!

Friday, July 25th, the week before the show, we went to her OBGYN for her check up.  The Doctor, God Bless Him, was reviewing her vitals when he announced that Kelly's blood pressure was up a little and he felt he should induce labor on Monday, July 28th.  It was at that moment that I feared for his life.  I could see the pressure rising further as the first thing Kelly said was, "But we're supposed to see Garth on Tuesday!!!!"  Nothing that I could say at that point would justify her dismay.  Once in the car, Kelly couldn't hold back any longer and the tears were flowing.  This just wasn't fair in her opinion.  No words could change that feeling.  Once home, she continued to be inconsolable and laid down to rest. 

As it was mid afternoon on Friday, I went into all out Save the Day mode.  Kelly deserved to see Garth, Kelly needed to see Garth.  I called everyone I knew to see if they knew of people with tickets that we could trade.  I called every radio station, Ticketmaster, I pulled out all stops trying to find a solution.  In this day and age before Cell phones, I made every attempt to reach out to anyone who would listen to my tale.  I made contact with some folks at work who knew some friends with tickets and they would pass on the message and my number.  On Friday evening, I got the call.  Someone would switch tickets with us for the Sunday evening show.  Words could not express my gratitude towards this kind soul. I felt blessed beyond belief.  Kelly could not believe our good fortune. 

With my Mother in Law watching Jacob, off we went to the show, pregnant Kelly beaming with excitement.  Then storm clouds rolled in and made things iffy for the start of the show.  The storm passed and the show went on.  The new seats were better than the original tickets as we were now on the field sitting side stage, close to the Action, close to Garth! A phenomenal night and I never knew a woman about to give birth could dance so much.   

The next afternoon, we welcomed our daughter Kaelyn Rose into the world on July 28, 1997.  A beautiful Baby girl who years later loved to listen to the Cowboy Song from Garth's In Pieces album.  It was her and Daddy's song.  I later learned it was significant that she was born on July 28th as it is the same birthday as Garth's youngest daughter, one year removed. 

As the years passed, we watched every Garth special and purchased every new CD that came out.  Sadly, we weren't able to see Garth perform live again due to proximity and then he announced his retirement from the business to raise his daughters.  At first I didn't understand how he could walk away from the fame and success, but then I thought about the type of person Garth appeared to be, and then it made perfect sense.  I think that is part of the bond we the fans have with him.  Through the years, Garth's music always seems to find its way onto the stereo or in the car.   At times I think of lines from songs to help me through life's challenges. The River always comes to mind.  

In July 2007, we took a family trip to Washington DC.  Among seeing the sites, Kelly found the best way to get inside info on what to do was to talk with other Moms at the hotel pool each night.  On the night of 7/6, she found out the best bit of info one could hear.  Garth would be performing We Shall be Free at the Museum of the American Indian the next morning to kick off the Live Earth concerts with Al Gore.  how does this happen?  Us and Garth both in DC at the same time??  A little internet searching and we found all the info we needed.  Arrive early and get in line to gain entrance to the free event. 

The next morning, Kelly was up and dressed before anyone else.  One does not go see Garth without a little more than the usual sight seeing preparation.  We arrived early and waited in line with the activists and a few other Garth enthusiasts.  When they opened the gates, being in the mid 80s in terms of place in line, we felt we would be be near the front.  Much to our dismay, we were directed to a back corner while others were ushered up near the stage.  With the usual last minute adjustments, we were soon pushed a little farther back with a portable fence.  Ohhh the glare my beloved gave the organizers. Jacob and Kaelyn couldn't figure out why she was so upset about it...      

Garth and Trisha Yearwood entered near this fence which I was able to capture on Video so maybe it wasn't so bad after all.  Garth performed in splendid voice and the video camera captured it all despite the TV Camera Boom which kept getting in the way. Typical Dad video, shaky, over zooming etc.  

As Garth concluded his song and introduced Blues Nation as the next performer, he began to make his way back on the path to leave and re-enter the Museum.  As he walked along the path, he waved and made comments to the crowd.  About 40 ft from where I was standing along the fence, Garth veered over to shake hands!!!!  Oh my God!!! He is coming down the line.  I couldn't believe it.  When he got to me, he grabbed my hand and I got caught up in the moment and blurted out, like any star struck fan would.  Video camera catching it all, "Ten Years ago in Columbus, Ohio, my daughter was born one day after we went to your concert!"  Garth looked at me puzzled for a moment and then with true Garth fashion said, "Oh yeah, well how's she doing now?"  I replied, feeling like my feet were ten feet off the ground, "She's doing great."  I even followed it up with the obilgatory, "We Love you Man!!"  Kelly was caught up in the crowd behind me and got a Wave from Garth and I thought she could have climbed the Washington Monument after that.  A definite highlight of our trip.  I still get goose bumps thinking about that day

Fast forward to 2010, we planned a late January trip to Las Vegas with some friends and it definitely wouldn't have been complete without seeing Garth perform his show at the Wynn.  Of course we had to go to Vegas, Garth was there.  It was a wonderful experience to see him in a small setting of 1500 people.  During a part of the show, Garth takes questions from the audience and I tried to get in the 1997 story but due to our balcony seats I wasn't able to get his attention and I didn't want to be rude and yell out.  When you are seeing Garth, you are with friends.  Another trip highlight. Garth confirmed his love for Classic Country, and rock songs through the ages in that show.  He certainly embraces his roots and I think that is part of what endears us to him.  Plus he said once that he based some of this stage sets and theatrics on the 70's super groups like KISS.  
In November of 2010, we watched the Oprah show when Garth appeared as a guest. Now I don't watch Oprah as a habit but when Kelly told me Garth was on, I couldn't turn away.   He mentioned the Nashville Flood relief shows during the interview and the need to get Tickets burned inside me for a couple of weeks.  Finally, the desire to exercise caution was shattered by the desire to do this for my beautiful wife.  For all she is and all she does, she deserves the best.  She deserves to see Garth.

A little internet searching and tickets were secured for Sunday night, December 19.  A week before the shows, while attending an annual Christmas party with our college friends, I slipped an envelope addressed to Kelly from Santa to the youngest daughter of one of our friends, After a little confusion of what was going on, she opened the envelope and pulled the tickets out.  This turned out to be one of the few times that she was rendered speechless that I can recall.  A 2 day trip to Nashville, Honky Tonkin on the way to the show and an indescribable performance by Garth and his band.  To this day, Kelly refers to that moment as the best Christmas gift she has ever received.  We were definitely on a Garth High at that moment.  

From there, we eagerly waited for any news regarding Garth's return to performing as his daughters were growing up and heading off to college.  As the tour started, we eagerly watched the show announcements and hoped he would be coming to Columbus.  We waited and we watched.  Then, in Feb of 2015, Kelly sprang to life when she saw a post on Facebook of someone selling four tickets for a show in Pittsburgh.  Of course we jumped on them and made plans to head to Pittsburgh.  We had a great time and were able to share the Garth experience with our kids.  The best part was seeing them sing along to all of the classic Garth tunes.  A trip we will never forget.  

Later in the spring, as we prepared for Kaelyn's High School graduation party, we were down to selecting music for her video montage of pictures.  I reserved one request, the first song had to be The River.  At first my selection was challenged but as soon has the opening notes played with the first baby picture, any concerns were laid to rest.  

In early 2016, we learned that Garth would in fact return to Columbus with his wife Trisha Yearwood, who just so happens to be one of our other favorite artists.  Amidst the flurry of nerves when the tickets went on sale, some finally popped up for the first show on Friday April 15.  The next encounter with Mr. Brooks.  

The show started with a flurry and an assault on the senses as Garth took the stage.  For everything the crowd gave him, he gave right back.  Every moment was a celebration of fun as a bunch of old friends got back together.  After 19 years away from Columbus, I think we welcomed him back in the right way.  

The best joy of all, was looking to my right and seeing the smile on Kelly's face throughout the show.  Sharing those moments during Unanswered Prayers and Two of a Kind, Working on a Full House.  That is what makes it all worth it.  

So rather than the notes played in Close Encounters to call the folks to the mountain, ours are the unmistakable opening notes to Friends in Low Places. 

Blame it all on our roots, until next time Garth