GARTH
Sorry I'm late this week, but I'm glad I was able to take some time off this week and see the INCREDIBLE show put on by Garth Brooks. Some quick background: Garth Brooks has not toured since he announced his retirement in 1998. In recent years WALMART has been a large part of the reason Brooks is now the most successful solo act of ALL TIME, finally surpassing Elvis Presley this past week with his 123 millionth album sold. Brooks and Walmart's deal ends this year and Garth wanted to do a show to thank Walmart and its employees. Enter Kansas City, where the brand new Sprint Center recently opened. Also entering, David Glass, owner of the Kansas City Royals and a big shot at Walmart. I'm sure Mr. Glass had a thing or two to do with Garth playing KC. Anyway, a month ago tickets went on sale for the concert, set for Nov 14. SOLD OUT in less then three minutes. Brooks added another show. SAME THING. In less then 30 mins, Garth Brooks sold out NINE SHOWS! And, while other acts (Elton John, Billy Joel, Hannah Montana) were charging premium prices, tickets to Brook's show were just $25 each. Having seen Brooks live twice in the past, I was very excited to see him again. And I wasn't disappointed. He played for almost three hours, running around the stage like a kid in a candy store. His voice certainly bore the weight of his appearances (a little rough but always in tune) as we attended show number four. A few highlights: Brooks tearing up as he addresses the crowd, thanking them for signing along with his songs; a young fan was celebrating her birthday and had a sign saying so. Halfway through a number, Brooks stopped, explaining that his guitar sounded out of tune. He then took a Sharpie, signed the guitar and gave it to the birthday girl. The final encore consisted of Brooks solo on stage with just his guitar. He then performed a mini concert of songs and artists that influenced him, including a stellar version of Bob Segar's "Turn the Page." To quote the Beatles: "A splendid time was guaranteed for (and had by) all.
STRIKE ONE
As Nolan noted on the home page, the Writers Guild of America is on strike over various residual monies from DVDs, etc. The first casualty is the Fox program, "24," which has ceased production until the strike is ended. Producers cited the reason of needing 24 completed episodes to air in order without a break.
DOWN BY THE LAZY RIVER
Sad to report the passing of George Osmond, patriarch of the musical Osmond family. Mr. Osmond died in his home in Utah this week at the age of 90. Ironically, the entire musical brothers and sister, and their families, were scheduled to appear on the Oprah Winfrey show to celebrate 50 years in show business. With more then 100 Osmonds on stage, the appearance turned into a celebration of Mr. Osmond and his family. Oprah did mention that there is a possibility of the brothers, Jimmy included, touring this spring. I'm already there!
PASSING ON
Also passing this week was retired Air Force Brigadier General Paul Tibbets, the pilot who named his plane after his mother, Enola Gay, and then dropped the first atomic bomb on Hiroshima. General Tibbets was 92.
WHATEVER HAPPENED TO...? CHAPTER 32: Next Week: SEAN CONNERY
Next week I'll take a look at an actor who was once described as "the man every woman wants and every man wants to be like".
Well, that's all for now. Have a great week. See ya!
"Mike's Rant" is ©2007 by Michael A. Smith. Webpage design and all graphics herein are creations of Nolan B. Canova. All contents of Nolan's Pop Culture Review are ©2007 by Nolan B. Canova.
