Country singer Garth Brooks comes out of retirement
Last Updated: Sunday, August 19, 2007 | 1:59 PM ET
CBC Arts
Country singer Garth Brooks is out of retirement, announcing a new album and four new singles to be released at the end of August.
The 45-year-old music star stepped out of the spotlight in 2001 by saying he was officially retiring from recording and performing to be a stay-at-home dad. He married fellow country singer Trisha Yearwood in 2005.
Brooks told reporters at a Saturday news conference in Nashville he's not as confident as he used to be.
"Sure I'm scared to death. I 'm rusty and I've seen these young guys," Brooks said. "But I'm a competitor, and when it's game day you start competing."
Brooks was at the top of his game in 2001 and is one of the fastest-selling solo artists in country music history. He earned the Academy of Country Music's award for Entertainer of the Year from 1990 to 1993 and was tapped Top Male Vocalist for 1990 and 1991.
He told the throng of journalists that he realizes what he's up against, referring to Australian music star Keith Urban as competition.
"Keith Urban is a beautiful guy. He can play the hell out of a guitar, he can sing his butt off, and he's a great entertainer," Brooks said. "He's just one of about 50 guys out there I'll have to face this fall so if you don't bring your A game you're going to get run over.
The Ultimate Hits album will be out at the end of August. The release will feature two CDs containing 30 of the most popular songs from his 18-year recording career as well as the four new songs, along with a DVD of 33 music videos.
Brooks says he'll be promoting the release all over the media but will not be touring.
"We'll go back to what I was doing before and sit on our butts for a while."
Brooks says he's still serious about being a full-time father to his three daughters — Taylor, 15, August, 13, and 11-year-old Allie — whom he had with ex-wife Sandy.
The singer says he'll stay off the tour route until they're out of school.
Brooks did make a rare appearance performing with Yearwood at the Live Earth concert in Washington D.C. in July.
"I am where I want to be and knowing that the future might involve getting to do this again on a full scale when they're on their own and me and Miss Yearwood can tour together, that's pretty good," Brooks told People magazine.
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