This is what happens when one "assumes."

[monmouth]

I was enthralled with the concert yesterday and as one from Freehold, NJ especially proud of our Bruce. Tom Hanks with his reading that took my breath away, Renee Fleming with her beautiful operatic voice, Jamie Foxx rendering some comedy with his imitation of our President. Such wonderfully beautiful talent. I kept thinking it just can't get better. Out comes Garth. I've never particularly been a fan of CW so I "ASSUMED" this would be a good ole "put a bar in the car and drive myself to drink" song. Well, was I in for the one of the most pleasant surprises of this day. Garth just blew me away with "Shout" and his general stage presence. His songs and the energy of the crowd was contagious and I came away with a big lesson.

We've all been warned to not "assume" anything, lest ..well you know how that goes. Lesson enjoyably learned.

[Captain Hilts]

1. Garth really was the hit of the show, wasn't he? Standing by the Wash. Monument and...

seeing all the heads bouncing to the song and people singing along was a great moment.

[Cornus]

2. I agree

I had the exact same reaction...even commented to my partner that I thought GB was a C/W singer. He really did a great job!

[lonestarnot]

3. Garth sucks and so does his dumb ass music.

[Captain Hilts]

7. Those of us who were there differ. nt

[lonestarnot]

9. So glad you were impressed with that.

:puke:

[spanone]

4. he's been doing the same thing for 20 years

[lamp_shade]

5. I wanted him to sing "Friends in Low Places"... I really did.

The crowd would have gone nuts.

[Jeanette in FL]

6. His 1997 concert in Central Park

was one of the best I have ever seen. He is a true entertainer, with no gimmicks other than his voice and instrument.

I loved this concert.

[nuxvomica]

8. A lot of us made an "ass" out of Uma Thurman yesterday

I was prepared to snooze through Garth Brooks' set and it turned out to be one of the most rousing performances.

[seabeyond]

10. i learned about assuming a long time ago. generally, almost always we come up wrong

when assuming and i just dont like looking like a fool so much so i dont often do it.

unfortunately, many on du haven't learned this wonderful lesson yet, but i have hope.

just seems to be an universal slap upside the head, when assuming the complete opposite is true.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

11. I was surprised as well

I knew Bruce would be great (husband from Freehold as well), but Garth really surprised me. To me it showed how inclusive Obama is.

[hlthe2b]

12. I am not a country fan, but was impressed with Garth Brooks as well

Of course, I long ago got over my weariness at "American Pie" which for many years besieged me everywhere I went to the point I just couldn't stand it. I'm ok with it now (on the rare occasion) and always found "Shout" to be infectious. I was pleased with his last song that underscores his progressive roots. I know there are many CW performers who are progressive, but damned if those who are RW don't get all the attention.

SO, no, I was pleasantly surprised. For me, though, the sentimentality of having 89 yo Pete Seeger up there with his grandson and Bruce singing all the controversial verses of that classic Woody Guthrie anthem, "This Land" was the ultimate.

[TwilightGardener]

13. I'm surprised at how many people are surprised at Garth. I've been a

country music fan for many years now, but I figured everyone knew who he was and why he was famous for being an entertainer rather than just a singer. He has an infectious joy on stage that few can match--you can tell he just loves being there.