Garth Brooks Added to Canada’s Calgary Stampede Lineup
While Garth Brooks has been enjoying his time performing in Las Vegas, the country legend is heading north to Canada to be a part of the Calgary Stampede’s 10-day music festival this July. The Stampede, a non-profit organization that works to promote Western values and heritage, is most well known for their annual event, which will this summer include other renowned country acts like Brad Paisley and the Band Perry.
This year is especially significant, as it marks the centennial anniversary of the festival. Speaking to the Calgary Herald, Brooks — who will hit the Calgary stage July 12 — says it’s a great honor to be a part of the event.
“I was lucky enough to get to play Cheyenne on their 100th,” he explains. ”When the invitation to play Calgary’s 100th came in, I didn’t think twice.” The country star, who was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in March, has been a bit out of the national eye since he’s been out in Vegas performing more intimate shows with just his guitar and a barstool.
Brooks retired from performing and recording from 2001 to 2009, but recently opened up in an interview about his family life and his plans for the future once his three daughters are out of the house.
“Our youngest is a sophomore, so we’ve got two more years here,” he told the Boot. “I spend all my time right now trying to combat music retail and copyright. Because if I’m going to enter back into this race when the girls go off to college, right now there’s no reason to make new music other than the fact that you want to make new music. The way the system is set up, it’s impossible … We just need to get our collective stuff together and if we do that, I can enjoy a possible shot at a second half of a run. But until that happens, I’ve got nothing planned.”
You can either catch Brooks live in Vegas or head up to Calgary for the annual Stampede to see the country luminary at the festival, which begins July 6 and ends July 15.