Why Garth Brooks Goes Grubby on Stage
Most people who are headed to a Vegas show expect the event to be filled with glitz and glamour — and, are likely dressed to the nines themselves! However, that’s not the case with Garth Brooks’s much-lauded Sin City residency. Fans who were lucky enough to catch him at the Wynn Resort over the past few years were treated to a noticeably dressed-down Brooks — just the way you’d find him at home in Oklahoma!
The singer’s stage garb, which consists of hoodies, ball caps, jeans (and zero mid-show costume changes), wasn’t chosen with simply comfort in mind. The wardrobe was actually an intentional move by Brooks and Wynn magnate Steve Wynn; and, as it turns out, there’s a pretty funny story behind it.
As Brooks recently told Country Aircheck, the whole thing did start out accidentally. Back when he was scheduled to do his very first soundcheck at the Wynn, Brooks was a no-show. “I got my time zones screwed up,” he explained. “I’m on my tractor when Steve Wynn calls and says, ‘Where the hell are you? The plane is waiting for you to come here and play.'”
Brooks had no choice but to drop everything and run. “I look like crap, I’m wearing work boots and smell like diesel, but I grab my guitars and head for the plane,” he noted.
Brooks arrived dirty, but delivered a clean soundcheck, charming his boss in the process. Wynn liked the look so much he demanded Brooks adopt it for the entire show run.
“He thought it was meant to be and that it looked like I just came from the living room,” Brooks said. “[He said] there was no other show in Vegas like it. I thought he was crazy.”
Can’t blame Brooks for feeling that way, but Steve Wynn didn’t rise to his level of prominence without having a good instinct, as even the singer admits.
“I have to hand it to him. Everyone who walked out of there said it felt like a living room, and a lot of it was just how casually we approached it.”
Brooks announced last month that he’ll be embarking on a world tour — his first since he went into semi-retirement more than a decade ago. No word on what he’ll be wearing on stage this go-round, but we’re willing to bet he’s going the “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it” route … so feel free to leave your tuxes and high heels at home, too!