Friends in high places as Garth shrugs off drama

Garth Brooks has told how he had a mid-air scare on his way over to Dublin when the windscreen on his plane cracked.

The US singer also told how he realised he had forgotten his passport just before the pilots informed him of the damaged windscreen.

But he told The John Murray Show yesterday that they managed to make it across the Atlantic after the mishap-laden flight.

Brooks said he forgot his passport despite his wife — country star Trisha Yearwood — laying it out for him the night before.

He said: “The trip here was eventful to say the least.

“Ms Yearwood placed my passport out for me not to forget. I remembered my underwear, I remembered my socks, but I totally forgot the passport.

“About two-thirds of the flight up to Maine, it hit me so I told the pilot and they said ‘I guess we’re going back home’.”

Brooks said he managed to overcome the glitch by phoning concert promoter Peter Aiken from the air.

He said: “We got on the phone and got a hold of Peter Aiken and Mick Devine and they were very sweet. They got us where we could come in for just a little short time and get back.”

But he admitted he did say a short prayer when he was then informed that the windscreen on the plane had cracked.

He said: “Halfway over here the windshield on the plane cracks. The pilots are always so cool.

“Everybody handled it great and landed with no problem. The pilots were really cool and I was panicking a little. I always say prayers.”

Brooks also said he was overwhelmed to come back to Croke Park, a venue which holds so many memories for him from his concerts in 1997. “It’s very rare you come to a place that has such a history and that could have such a future, too.

“I remember this place being bigger than life but I don’t remember it being this big. Now that it is completed, it’s gorgeous. I can’t wait.

“I have sweet memories and tough memories. This was where we got the news my mother’s cancer was coming back. You’ve got good, bad, and all that stuff gelling together, which is life.

“What overshadows it so strong is the people’s response to the music and how they sing here. That’s the beauty and that’s why you want to come back every weekend.

“This is our comeback special. Croke Park is the place to start out of the box at a million miles an hour. The stadium has only gotten better.”

Brooks also explained how he took time out from the spotlight to concentrate on raising his three daughters. “I have been raising my babies. I have been in Oklahoma where I was raised. They go to the same school their mom went to.

“I’ve been driving a tractor in the day time, going to soccer games, talent shows, and graduations. It’s been a real dream.”

He said he has “no idea” why Irish people have such a powerful response to his music. He said: “I am just very thankful. I never take it for granted and always.. “These people make you think you can do big things. When someone thinks they can do big things then anything is possible. “We’re not here to recreate, We’re here to do better. Anything in this place is possible. If I see the same faces I saw the last time I’ll be the luckiest guy on the planet. “If I see them and more I’ll be luckier than the luckiest man on the planet.”

Record setter

— Garth Brooks moved to Nashville in 1987. In 1989, his self-titled debut was released.

— His third album was released in 1991. Ropin’ the Wind was the first album by a country artist to debut at No 1 on the Billboard pop charts.

— In 2012 he was named best-selling artist of the last two decades, with 68.5m sales.

— His concert in Central Park in 1997 drew a crowd of 1m, the park’s biggest audience ever.

— He retired in 2000, but began performing again in 2009, doing many concerts for charity.

— Tickets for the Garth Brooks Comeback Special Event on Jul 25 and 26 in Croke Park go onsale on Thursday, Jan 30, at 9am. They cost €65.45 each.