Garth Brooks to Retire Until 2001

Nashville (NBp) - Country music superstar Garth Brooks announced on Tuesday his intention to retire from music to spend more time with his family. He made a similar announcement four years ago, but returned to music after just a few months. He also retired briefly from music to play baseball. He recently returned to music in the form of Chris Gaines, a fictitious rock star. With all of these unusual career moves behind him, NBp interviewed Brooks to find out more about his plans for the future.

NBp: Hiya, Garth. What's this about you retiring again?

GB: Yep. I wanna spend some more time with the fam.

NBp: Do you really plan to give up such a successful career for good?

GB: Heavens, no! I've got a press conference scheduled for [checks his calendar] December 9, 2000, to announce that I am coming out of retirement.

NBp: I see. Well, you'll still be taking a year off with no new releases. Won't that set you back in your goal to hold the world's record for most albums sold?

GB: I don't let anything get in the way of that. I've got an album of previously unreleased material, called Green Pastures set to come out before the holidays next year. I'm hoping to beat the Beatles in 2001.

NBp: Do you have any other marketing stunts planned to boost sales?

GB: Always. In 2003, I'm planning to team up with the Beastie Boys to bring a fresh, lively sound to country. Then, I'll go back to my roots with an all acoustic album. In 2006, I'm planning to go techno under the name GB06, before going back to my roots with another Christmas album.

NBp: Thanks, Garth.

Even with this advance scoop on the plans of Garth Brooks, we think there will still be many interesting surprises to come.