Country music superstar Garth Brooks has announced an upcoming world tour in conjunction with a new album release. Brooks announced the upcoming tour will kick off on Sept. 4 just outside of Chicago, a market he has not played in 17 years.
A full set of dates has yet to be revealed, but the world tour is expected to play as many as nine shows in each market. This venture will be Brooks’ first full-blown tour since the singer announced retirement in 2000. Brooks’ previous tour in 1998 drew close to 5.5 million people over the course of three-years.
“Our job is to go out there and fly the flag for country music,” Brooks said of the tour. He also hinted that the production he’ll be bringing along with him won’t be one to miss. “I’ve seen the world tour stage. It’s phenomenal.”
Since announcing his retirement in 2000, Brooks has made sporadic live appearances, including a Hurricane Katrina benefit and a Grand Ole Opry appearance in 2005.
In addition to a tour, Brooks plans to release his music digitally for the first time through his website, garthbrooks.com.
Tickets to the Chicago show will go on sale Friday, July 25, with more dates to be announced.
