NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – For those missing the comradery and exuberance of a live concert experience, longtime Bandit Lites client Garth Brooks offered some words of encouragement amidst a one-hour Facebook live stream that was so popular, it apparently kept crashing the social media site. Brooks was recently honored as this year’s recipient of the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song.
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“Garth stands alone in music at this point,” said Bandit Lites Founder and Chair, Michael T. Strickland. “Never has anyone been so impactful, yet so giving to the world as a whole. There is never a cause or a moment that Garth does not only rise to the occasion, but he sets the bar. Garth and Trisha provided a free concert for anyone that cared to listen, an incredible move that was 100% them giving of themselves to a public in need of a moment of relief. Thank you Garth and Trisha; we can all learn from you both. I love you both.”
With more than 50,000 requests pouring in, Trisha Yearwood and Brooks entertained the 3.4 million watching at home with renditions of “Shallow,” “Whiskey to Wine,” “Amazing Grace,” and even Ed Sheeran’s “Perfect.”
Brooks has postponed his upcoming concerts in Charlotte, NC and Cincinnati, OH with promises to reschedule and honor all tickets. Bandit Lites provides the lighting system for The Garth Brooks Stadium Tour and looks forward to returning to the road with the legendary entertainer, although no one seems more anxious than Garth himself.
“I need this more than anybody,” Brooks shared, and while he originally started the acoustic set saying he wasn’t sure he could make it thirty minutes, he had to be told to wrap up the session after an hour.
“This thing flew by,” he said joking, “I have overstayed my welcome.”
Due to the overwhelming demand, CBS landed a special with Brooks and Yearwood set to air live from their home April 1 from 9:00 – 10:00 PM, live ET.
“We’re seeing how big things can be when we all do them as one. In addition to the special, we and CBS will donate $1 million to charities to be determined, combating the COVID-19 virus,” said Brooks and Yearwood in a joint statement.
“At the crucial time of need we need to realize that this will pass, and we will all be stronger on the other side,” finished Strickland. “A lot of people are helping one another, as well as society in general. If you can help, please do. If you need help, please ask. It’s that simple. Garth and many other artists are leading we way in helping other people. It is up to all of us to follow suit and do our part!”
