Garth Brooks hosts singalong at benefit concert

[December 18, 2010]  NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- It was like Garth Brooks had never been away.

A multigenerational crowd sang along with country music's biggest star as he kicked off the first of nine sold-out flood relief benefit concerts Thursday night in Nashville, Tenn.

Brooks hadn't played an arena show in Music City since 1998, but fans didn't miss a beat as Brooks played hit after hit for the crowd.

Most fans stayed standing for the 1 1/2-hour performance as Brooks and his band motored through favorites such as "Friends in Low Places," "The Thunder Rolls" and "The Dance." Brooks' wife, Trisha Yearwood, and good friend Steve Wariner joined Brooks on stage for a few songs each.

Proceeds from the concert are being donated to the Community Relief Foundation of Middle Tennessee.

___

Online:

http://www.garthbrooks.com/

[Associated Press]

Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.