There aren’t many things on my bucket list but one of the line-items is/was to see Garth Brooks live in concert. Check.
I’ll be honest: I’m no longer even a fan of country music; however, Garth is one of those undeniable icons that transcends the genre and embodies the pure spirit of Music. Atop this, he is a world-class entertainer that I’ve admired since I first laid ears on him in the early 90s — when I picked up the guitar, his song The Dance was the very first song I learned to play.
All that said, as of Sunday December 19th, 2010, I got to check an item off of my bucket list and I got to see Garth Brooks live in concert — in Nashville, TN no less.
Yes, Garth did a string of 9 shows to support the flood victims of Nashville and although all 9 shows were sold out (he sold over 100,000 in one hour), a heaven-sent ticket landed in my lap on Sunday morning and I was able to fulfill a dream of mine. The experience was not a let down.
Sitting in the stands was a bizarre experience for me. Again, I don’t really care for country music anymore but it didn’t matter when Garth arrived. I instantly reverted back to the 20-year-old budding musician that thought the world of the man. I knew every single word to every single song and at times I was near tears because of the overwhelming rush of nostalgia and self-reflection that the various songs evoked.
It was a spiritual experience that had me dissect the last 10 years of my life — my musical years. So much has happened. So much has been learned. So much road ahead. So much owed to Garth and his inspirational passion.
The song that hit me hardest was Garth’s first hit from 1989; Much Too Young (To Feel This Damn Old). That song has never had more impact than in that moment; me sitting alone in Nashville, a long ways from home, in pursuit of a crazy dream, a 60-year-old in a 30-year-old body, tired and worn and it seems, there ain’t no end in sight.
I am so glad to have had this experience. Garth was a true entertainer and I’ve NEVER in all my life seen such a supportive fan base. The audience (including me) sang every single word to every single song and he had nothing but beaming thanks to give. He was genuine, he was energetic, he was humble and he was cocky but dammit, he deserves every bit of it.
It was a life experience like no other and I’m honored to have witnessed such a spectacle in person before he goes into retirement for good.
Thank you Garth for the soul-bloom that you’ve provided for the last 10 years … I owe much of my drive to you and admire you in ways you could never know.
And the white line is getting longer
And the shadows getting cold-
I’m much too young to feel this damn old.
All my cards are on the table
With no Ace left in the hole-
I’m much too young to feel this damn old.