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Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood are looking forward to their run of shows this weekend in Saskatoon.
At a press conference ahead of opening night on Thursday, Brooks said he knows the Saskatchewan crowd is going to come ready to party. But still, he had a warning for fans.
“They’re going to show up with the right attitude, they’re still not going to be prepared. I’m going to kick their ass,” he said.
“That first crowd, if it’s running, that second crowd kind of comes in right where they picked off, and it’s kind of crazy.”
This week’s shows set a record for tickets sold in the province, with over 86,000 people set to attend.
Yearwood said she and Brooks were thrilled with the response from fans.
“It’s pretty cool to get the call though and it’s like, ‘We’re going to put on another show,’ and then five minutes later you get another call, ‘We’re going to put on another show,'” she said.
Brooks and Yearwood play back-to-back shows both Friday and Saturday nights, something the pair said just keeps the energy rolling.
“It’s funny how you would think there’s a chance there’d be two totally different crowds, but not really,” Brooks said.
“That first crowd, if it’s running, that second crowd kind of comes in right where they picked off, and it’s kind of crazy. So if you’re in for a good early night, get ready because the late night will be really crazy, because that late night’s a little more – hydrated.”
During the press conference, the country musician reflected on a career that’s seen him rise from playing nights while working a day job at an Oklahoma sporting goods store, to now seemingly selling out arenas at will.
“I don’t care if it’s five people out there, 500, whatever the number is. The show is still all about those people walking out hopefully saying, ‘That was the best show I’ve ever seen.’ That’s the goal,” he said.
Brooks also shared how fatherhood changed his outlook on life. The passionate artist said despite his major musical milestones, he notes family as his biggest success.
“We had a great run in the 90’s, forgive me if that sounds egotistical…but it’s one billionth the feeling you get of being a dad. That’s the greatest feeling on the planet,” he said.
“The highlights of my life are my three daughters and marrying the love of my life – that was it.”
It’s been 20 years since Brooks was last in Saskatoon, and since then he still enjoys playing fan favourites.
“Am I as excited to play Baton Rouge as I was when we first got it? Yes. How is that possible? It’s a song. It’s a song and what it does to those people,” he said.
As for whether local fans might be able to do some Garth spotting this weekend, the chances are likely as the tour team do group dinners often all dressed in black.
“You can’t hide us, we’re not trying to hide, so you’ll see us at all the restaurants and all the local food places,” he said.
