Top Ten Reasons Why Garth Brooks Should Come to Las Vegas

Garth Brooks’ surprise performance at Encore/Wynn Las Vegas last week (click here to read my description of the evening) has added to ongoing speculation that Garth might come out of retirement for a long-term show in Las Vegas. Norm Clarke reported in the Las Vegas Review-Journal on June 10th that a spy told him “Garth has a contract in his hands” and that they are negotiating over ticket prices. Anonymous sources on the internet say similar things.

I myself heard Steve Wynn say “Yes” when Garth asked aloud during his Encore performance if he could come back to the Encore Theatre and bring his band. Yet, still, we’ve heard no official announcement.

This has got me thinking that maybe Garth needs a little nudge. Maybe he’s mulling it over and needs some persuading.

It’s been widely reported that Garth Brooks doesn’t want to tour while his daughters are still in school. Las Vegas offers the perfect setup for Garth - he can perform for a new crowd every night without having to leave home. He just has to move to Las Vegas first.

With that in mind, I’ve come up with my own list of reasons why Garth Brooks should come to Vegas.

1. Real estate is cheap in Las Vegas right now. And since Las Vegans have a particular fondness for mega-mansions, there are probably many 10,000+ sq. ft. houses to choose from for immediate move-in. (I figure Garth can afford one of those.) Besides, everyone here knows that you need to get a big house, because once you move to Las Vegas, all of your out-of-town friends come to visit.

2. Garth could easily commute to Las Vegas while he’s house-hunting. Southwest Airlines alone has five flights daily between Tulsa and LV. Not that he needs to rely on Southwest Airlines. I hear that Garth got to fly to Las Vegas on the Wynn corporate jet for his performance last week, but Garth will find it nice to know he has options in case the Wynn plane is unavailable.

3. Garth would have a virtual lock on the country music market – there are no country music shows in Las Vegas. Yes, Las Vegas is a stop on the concert tour schedule of many country performers, but the competition would be ephemeral.

4. There is no state income tax in Nevada! Even if Garth’s already got all the walking-around money he needs, the lack of a state income tax means more money for his kids’ college fund and his charitable pursuits. That’s good for kids and charities – who can argue with that?

5. A Garth Brooks show would provide an instant boost to the Las Vegas economy. Believe me, we could use it. Room rates are down, occupancy levels are down and the visitor count is down. A Garth show could bring in gobs of tourists. Our mayor, Oscar Goodman, would probably show up accompanied by his customary showgirls and give Garth the proverbial keys to the city. Mayor Goodman, a known martini fan, might even switch his beverage of choice to beer in a Longneck Bottle or perhaps even try Two Pina Coladas, one for each hand, of course.

6. Some say the weather is not great here. I’ll be the first to admit that it may be hot in Las Vegas, but it’s hot in Oklahoma, too (ever been to Hartshorne in the summer?). And on the flip side, there’s no snow to shovel in Las Vegas. Plus, we don’t have tornadoes.

7. The number “7” is considered a lucky number in Las Vegas. Garth has a successful album titled “Sevens.” See the connection? I think a Las Vegas show would bring good luck to Garth. By the way, the main phone number of Wynn Las Vegas is (702) 770-7000.

8. Since there is currently no bar in Las Vegas named “The Oasis,” Garth could consider, as a fall back plan, opening up a dive bar/gathering place for all of his Friends in Low Places. I would seriously hope to be invited.

9. It would be good for the environment. Garth wouldn’t have to travel when the ACM awards come to town.

10. There are 800 attendees from Garth’s Encore performance that need someplace to wear their new black cowboy hats to.

So, in closing, I borrow Garth's own words and ask:

How you ever gonna know
What it's like to live there…
How you ever gonna know
If you never take a chance.