Steve Wynn and Garth Brooks both sauntered out in blue jeans at a news conference yesterday announcing Brook's resident performance plans at  Encore Theatre at Wynn Las Vegas. Wynn provided Brooks with a commuter jet to accommodate the star's desire to return home when not performing in order to remain in close contact with his family. Brooks is married to country / pop star Trisha Yearwood and the couple are raising three daughters aged 17, 15, and 13. The family resides in Brook's home state of Oklahoma near Tulsa. This announcement follows months of rumors regarding a potential performance stint by Brooks in association with the Wynn Las Vegas properties.

The following provides some past performance history of the Grammy award winning country superstar and some of the particulars associated with this upcoming resident headliner announcement.

Performance & record sales history:

- Recording industry accolades include 2 Grammy awards, 17 American Music Awards, 11 Country Music Association awards, 18 Academy of Country Music Awards, 5 World Music Awards, 12 People's Choice Awards, 36 Billboard Music Awards. He had been named artist of the decade during his 1990's prime by both the American Music Awards and the Academy of Country Music Awards .

- Brooks has been certified as the #1 selling solo artist in US history by the Recording Industry Association of America ( RIAA ; he surpassed Elvis Presley in this regard in 2007). He is the only solo artist in RIAA history to produce six albums that each topped over 10 million in sales. Cumulatively, the superstar has sold over 128 million albums to date.

- Brook's live performance shows were noted for high -energy , bombastic emotion and this contributed quite significantly to his multiple successes as a recording artist. He flew, ran, danced, and offered other elements of daring performance individualism in countless venues the world over until he officially retired from performing in 2001 to be a family man. As noted below, Steve Wynn has now offered provisions for the star to spend a few performance weekends in Vegas and still maintain close ties with his family. This provision was of critical importance to the legendary star.

Encore performance notes :

- Brooks will perform solo with his guitar only and without band accompaniment. Steve Wynn had personally witnessed such a solo performance and was full of accolades for Brook's ability to capture an audience under such conditions.

-  Performances are slated to occur 15 weekends per year for 5 years or until Garth chooses to cease performing. Confirmed concert dates are December 11,12, and 13 (in conjunction with the National Finals Rodeo festivities) ; January 1, 2, and 3 and 22, 23, and 24 ; February 12, 13, and 14 and 26, 27, and 28. Concert performance times are Fridays at 8 pm, Saturdays at 8 pm and 10:30 pm, and Sundays at 8 pm (four total shows per weekend).

- All tickets are priced at $125 each plus a $5 service fee and $13 in taxes for a total cost of $143. Tickets may be purchased by phoning 702-770-7469 or online at this link .

- Brooks strongly hinted that his wife Trisha Yearwood  may occasionally join him onstage in a duo performance scenario.

If any headliner can draw consistent audiences and perhaps spark a new show interest in Vegas, this guy certainly should be able to. Kudos to Steve Wynn again for defying Vegas odds by luring this superstar out of retirement during a down general economy. One of Brook's most popular singles during his stellar career was a song entitled "Friends In Low Places" and this song has become one of the most popular country music tunes of all time. It certainly appeals to this author (video performance of this song can be accessed below ). It now appears that Brooks has Wynn as a friend in a loftier venue and this is one scenario where even I agree that the $140 - plus bucks to see a Vegas show is likely justified. Please leave your comments to the posed comment question below.

Cheers...

Charles Higgins

"Friends in Low Places" video performance from youtube.com