Garth Brooks and Trivia Yearwood will donate $1m to charities to be determined
USA - For those missing the comradery and exuberance of a live concert experience, long-time 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 honoured as this year's recipient of the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song.
“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 3.4m 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 honour 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 30 minutes, he had to be told to wrap up the session after an hour. “This thing flew by,” he said. “I have overstayed my welcome.”
Owing to the overwhelming demand, CBS landed a special with Brooks and Yearwood set to air live from their home 1 April 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 $1m 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.”
(Jim Evans)

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