How Steve Wynn won over Garth Brooks

 
 

In Garth Brooks’ other life, the one he lived before his retirement in 2001, one of the albums he put out that helped him surpass Elvis Presley as the biggest-selling solo performer in pop music history was titled “Ropin’ the Wind.”

That describes pretty well the experience of anyone — and there were many -- who tried to lasso him back into public performance during the last eight years. Until, that is, billionaire Steve Wynn announced Thursday that he had talked Brooks into coming to Las Vegas for what’s envisioned as a series of intimate, solo acoustic performances that will begin Dec. 11 at Wynn’s 1,500-seat Encore Theater.

It wasn’t that Brooks had grown immune to the rush of thousands of fans cheering him on when he packed sports arenas and concert theaters around the country, or that he’d run out of songs he relished singing.

But following the collapse of his marriage, he’d promised his daughters — who were 4, 6 and 8 at the time — to make his family the top priority in his life until all three went off to college, and that simply wasn’t compatible with a hard-touring road hound like Brooks.

When Wynn first brought up the idea of playing in Vegas, “I said he couldn’t afford me,” Brooks told a couple dozen journalists and several hundred fans gathered in the Encore Theater looking on as Brooks and his new business partner sat on stools on the theater’s stage. After a well-timed pause, Brooks added: “I was wrong.”

Wynn, for his part, eloquently described the thrill he got from hearing Brooks audition with just a guitar and his voice awhile back after they first started talking. He said it gave him a thrill unlike any he’d experienced since the days of the Rat Pack in the mid-1960s, how Brooks was unmatched today in his ability “to walk on a stage and create love with an audience in real time.”

His overarching goal: to create a situation where Brooks could perform while still honoring his commitment to his family.

“In order to accomplish this goal,” Wynn said dryly, “I will confess I had to buy him a jet plane.”

Quips aside, Brooks said it really isn’t about the money, although it’s reputed to be more than any performer has ever been paid for an engagement in Las Vegas. Wynn wouldn’t give a number: “If I were to tell you that, I'd probably lose my job with the stockholders.”

Even so, after Thursday’s press conference, Brooks said in his backstage dressing room — which already has a star with his name on it — “This is actually a great opportunity that has lots of rewards to it, and one of them is the money. The fact that the money is on the table is a sweet part of it.

“But trust me,” he said softly, “it’s the same thing I’ve been offered 10 or 15 other times. Where he got me was his concern with the fact that my life doesn’t change."

And how does that sit with the rest of his family? “I really think nothing’s really going to change,” said Brooks’ wife, singer Trisha Yearwood, who accompanied him to the press announcement, “except that we’re going to get to come to Vegas once a month, and how cool is that? I think it’s a really good thing.”

“Everybody else thought money was the answer,” Brooks said. “This guy came to me not with ‘How much money is it going to take for this to happen?’ but ‘What are the logistics that it’s going to take to make it happen?’ That’s where he started. And he based all his decisions on either the kids or music ... He figured it out real quick. He’s a sharp guy.”

So Brooks will become Wynn’s weekend warrior.

He’ll play one show Friday night, two on Saturday and one more Sunday, a schedule that allows him to take his girls to and from school every day. They’ve initially announced five weekends’ worth of shows, something of a trial balloon for the concept. He said they're only announcing dates essentially one quarter at a time so he can schedule them around his kids' school and extracurricular activities.

If everything works out, Brooks plans to keep playing for Wynn for the next five years, until Allie, his 13-year-old, is old enough to head off to college.

“When me and you are in a relationship and me and you have something to exchange, I’m gonna ask you questions that, to me I think, are going to reveal why you’re really in this,” Brooks said. “Every time I asked him one of those questions, his answer threw me … it wasn’t what I was thinking ... Every time something came up that seemed impossible, he had an answer that made it possible ... And the last one of those was ‘What If I get into this [for] three months and I don’t like it?' And he said, ‘Then you quit.’ Damn. He’s not hiding anything.”

One reporter asked, “What was the reaction when you sat our family down and told them you were going back to work?” Brooks said his eldest daughter Taylor’s response was, " ‘Thank goodness!’ ”

But in reality, it didn’t go anything like that in the Brooks-Yearwood household in Oklahoma.

Brooks is a believer in democracy at home as well as in politics, and described regular family meetings where “we sit and we talk about anything and everything” and where each member of the family can freely air complaints or concerns.

“We started talking about the Vegas deal,” said Brooks. “I said ‘Guys, here’s the opportunity that’s come up, here’s where we’re at.’ And when I explained it to them, all they did was look at each other, then Taylor said, ‘Can we go?’ I said ‘Yep,’ and they were in. That was it.

“The truth is,” Brooks said, pausing briefly, “I’m halfway through what I retired to do. And this last half might be even more important than the first half. So I’m not going to let anything screw that up. So I’ve got a guy here who’s been sweet enough to make it easy for me to do this.

“And if it doesn’t work, we’ll quit doing it. And again, I have to now think, am I supposed to be doing this because I’d be stupid to pass it up?” His eyes glance skyward. “We’ll just give it a shot and see.”

There is one facet of the deal that clearly still gnaws at Brooks: ticket costs. Brooks historically kept prices on his concert tours ridiculously low by contemporary standards: $25 or less.

He noted that the highest price for a ticket to a Garth Brooks concert to date was for five benefit shows he did early last year at Staples Center in Los Angeles as a benefit for firefighters and victims of Southern California wildfires that had raged the previous fall.

“That was to raise money for somebody and tickets were 45 bucks, which I thought was crazy,” he said.

Wynn had suggested tiered ticket prices, allowing some seats in the back of the theater to be priced more in keeping with what Brooks fans have been accustomed to, while the middle and front-row seats would be closer to what other top-name acts on the Las Vegas Strip charge.

That idea also ran counter to Brooks’ philosophy that fans shouldn’t get preferential treatment just because they’re financially better off.

“It’s the old John Lennon thing, ‘You people, if you’re having a good time, rattle your jewelry.’ So it scares me to do that. Man, I’d rather just do one ticket price overall. [Wynn said,] ‘If you’re going to do that to me, I’ve got to get a ticket price bigger than 50 bucks.' I said, ‘What are you thinking?’ He said '$125.' I passed out." After coming to, Brooks must have agreed to that price.

“But it’s a 1,500-seat theater,” Brooks said, “and my only response is, if you don’t like Vegas, or you think the ticket price is too high, stay at home. Because we’re still on the same plan: that when the children go to school, I’d like to fire the machine up again and tour. So stay at home and I’ll come to your place for a lot less money and hopefully everything will be good then. So it’s kind of like it’s their choice.

“You can tell that’s the only thing I really have a problem with,” he said with a resigned smile. “My job is for them to walk out of here going ‘Dude, that was worth it.’ ”

--Randy Lewis

Photo: Garth Brooks in 2008. Credit: Lori Shepler / Los Angeles Times

Comments

[Dawn]

I am so excited to hear that Garth Brooks will be back!! I have always wanted to see him and now I may get my chance! My family loves to have as we call them "Garth-a-thons" to which we sit and sing all of his songs together. Thank you so much to Steve Wynn for giving him this opportunity and thank you to Garth Brooks for taking Steve up on this opportunity, I really hope you love it. Look forward to seeing you!!!

[Carole]

Are you kidding? What a sell out. He's already earned more than 80% of the country, yet is gnaws at him that they have to charge so much in order to pay him the highest deal ever made for a performer in Vegas (plus private plane!),

What a spoiled elitist.

Why don't you cut your fee so that the rest of us (remember us, your fans!) can see the shows as well?
Disgusting - no more Garth for me.

[Mary Scronce]

Seeing and hearing Garth live, is worth it!! I can't wait!!

[Bobbie]

I am so glad ! I have always wanted to see him and now will get my chance

[Greg]

Garth, It is great to have you back. In the early 90's through your music I made it through a tough divorce. I'm now 59 and I'm ready to get back to the dance floor listening to your great music. Also you couldn't have partnered with a better businessman, and patriot of our country. I had an opportunity to listen to Steve Wynn on what it would take to turn this economy around. He was right on! Jobs.

[Slick]

I live by garth and see him and Trisha several times a week.....have gotten to know them a bit. He is the most generous guy you will ever meet. To call him a sell out is just ridiculous. He walked away from hundreds of millions of dollars to drive his kids to school everyday, which he does....I see him in the drop-off line everyday in his older white pickup.
I plan on going to Vegas to see him.....can't wait. He is one of the good guys...and I'm glad I know him

[Kate]

Who is Garth Brooks? Never heard of him. Now Brad Paisley . . . this man is a Country Singer!!!

[Teri]

Good to hear Garth is coming out of retirement. My daughter had a wish granted to meet Garth in 1998, to this day she still referrs to him as her "buddy". Garth as touched so many lives with his music and compassion for his family. I am glad Garth is still going to devote his week to his kids and Trisha. Can't wait to see you, Garth!!!

[Buck Jones]

Brooks is everything wrong with modern country music.
A brilliant business man and O.U. marketing major his mediocrity as a singer, writer, guitarist and showman is down right comical.
Like the great Waylon Jennings said, "Garth Brooks did to Country music what panty-hose did to the back seat make-out!" (cleaned up for a g rating)
Please Garth, stay at home, play with your kids and count your money!

[rickjaris]

To Carole who call Garth Brooks a sell-out. Right you are Carole, I guess Garth forgot that we are now a socialist country and that he should cut his contract price, give away his talent so that you can come to Vegas, blow money in the casino, and still get free entertainment. You're right Carole, everything should now begin to revolve around you and your ilk. Tax the rich and redistribute the wealth to the under-achivers. Of course you over look the fact that the Wynn operation is suppose to be an investor driven, profit making corporation; but that I am sure is unfair as far as your are concerned.

[Billy]

I have met Mr. Brooks a couple of times, with the most recent being a couple of months ago when I tracked him down, unannounced, to talk with him about some charitable ideas. He spent forty minutes talking with me and was very responsive to to my ideas. Most artists who have sold half of what he has, would have been surrounded by security and wouldn't have given me the time of day. Garth is down to earth and sincere, give me one example of one person who has met him and doesn't agree with this.

The man stepped away from making millions to raise his daughters and he has figured out a way to continue doing this, while giving those of us who want to see him a chance also. If you don't want to pay this much, DON'T! He will still sell out every show.

And as much as I like Waylon and Brad, there is no comparison. If you are going to start comparing Garth, you need to start talking about the Beatles, Elvis, & Michael. Waylon and Brad combined didn't/won't sell one-fifth of what Garth has.

[brujogarza]

Bravo! Great story! Garth is a great father and a great man. He has EARNED this right, its written in all your books, just go run and read them sometime please.

[Deborah]

I have always wanted to see Garth Brooks but unfortunately he retired before I got the chance. Now that he is coming out of retirement, I will make a great effort to see him, although I am on unemployment as thousands of other Americans are, it will be worth it and hopefully the tickets won't be too high for my budget.

[Paddy]

How fantastic is it that Garth is back. Hopefully when he starts touring again he comes to Australia

[Theresa Macmillan]

To those of you who are here to SLAM Garth Brooks for choosing to play in Vegas...STAY HOME!! For those of us who cannot wait for him to come out of retirement....See you in VEGAS!!
Welcome Back Garth!! I give you all the credit for finding a way to make music AND still be there for ALL your girls!!

[Jay]

I have had the privelage to see Garth on more than one occasion. The last time being when he sold out 9 shows in Kansas City...btw this is my home town, and Garths 2nd home! He is an amazing artist, for those of you who disagree just look at record sales...it speaks for itself. God Bless Garth, Trisha, and the 3 girls. See you Vegas G-MAN!!!

[Ineke]

Garth is comming back... I love it. I hope to get tickets for the weekend from Feb. 12-13-14
Because we fly that weekend from the Netherlands to Las Vegas for a contest.. so that wood be great to get tickets than.. cant wait to see him again the last time was in the Netherlands in 1995

[Steve McGuire]

I just got one thing to say.
Garth is a GENIUS.

He brought country music into the 21st century, and dont knock him for making a living, We all have to do that.
It's unlikely that I'll ever get to go to vegas to see him being that I Live in the UK.
But I live in hope that he will come to europe once his children are grown and he can really come out of retirement.
As for a sell out, Get over it, he cares more and gives more to his fans than Jackson, Lennon (Both not worthy of being mentioned in the same breath as Elvis) or even the King (this from a guy who's son and grandson have Elvis in their name) ever did.
Elvis will always be the king but Garth is the the Prince of Wales.
Welcome back Garth

[Sherri]

I've seen Garth 3 times, once in the 90's and two nights in a row at the benefit concert for the LA fires. He is awsome and genuine. I will definately see him in Vegas for $125.00. If you have not seen him in concert, it is well worth the ticket price! Love Garth!!!

[Leah,Australia]

I was so excited to hear about Garth coming out of retirement, I'm 19 and have listened to to his music since I can remember. Can't wait to see you next year so please please, do shows past February, so I can come and see you perform to make a dream come true. Please, Please come to Australia as well after your girls have gone to college.

[Colleen Daley]

what happen to the on line sales today? I was on line at 8Am and on the phone both land line and cell and no luck for 8 hourss yet later today guess what? Tickets on line with Brokers and EBay for 800-$1500 so is the Wynn going to stick to their word and not allow this? What will they do? For the Wynn, they need to step up their online services and phone bank..what a waste four hours and not tickets.. and no i wont pay a scalper $800-$1500 or ticket...So who really ended up with the tickets???

[Cindy Jones]

Garth is a gift from God, he has a talent given from God, and God uses Garth's talent to reach people who desperately need a message from God.In a much shortened story "The River" saved my life. Garth's music= God's message at a time in my life when nothing else could reach me. So for this God given talent,from this man with a heart bigger than the universe,a man of integrity,honour,and a heart filled with more love than most of you garth trashers will ever be lucky enough to experience; for Garth to be able to remain a full time loving father and husband AND be able to share his message of love and hope to a desperately needy world through his music again, well I don't have the words to possibly explain how that feels. My heart is so full of pure joy, that this man is able to share his love with the world again.Years ago the one thing Garth said he hoped to accomplish, was he wanted to make a difference in the world.He sure made a difference in my world, the lives of my children, my husband, my family...He made me WANT to live again, so say what you want; but in my eyes, steve wynn is giving this world back what it sorely needs.A man with a message in his music that can and will change peoples lives. I am LIVING proof! I probably won't get to see Garth until he comes out of retirement when Allie is 18, because I live in Canada, but I am so thankful that Garth will be able to touch other lives again, as he has touched mine.