Garth Brooks "retires"

Garth Brooks said in October he retired or did he? He talked at the end of last year about hanging it up by the end of 2000 and apparently seemed to be following through.

With great fanfare on a day celebrating his sale of 100 million units - the most by any recording act in history - Brooks also said he was packing it in.

But like many things, Garth's interpretation of retiring may be quite different from most of us. He'll be releasing a new album sometime next year and indicated he may have to listen to thousands of songs before choosing what eventually makes the cut.

Brooks also said that while he would not tour behind the album, he might give some selected television concerts.

Obviously, Brooks is entitled to do what he wants to do with his career - whether it's continuing to make albums (now wouldn't it be great if he would do a hard country album?) and give concerts, going on a reduced schedule or just retiring and moving onto other ventures.

It's just that Garth seems to want it every which way. He wants to retire, but he also wants to make music and do some concerts. He's getting divorced - no he isn't. He wants to spend more time with his family. Then, he's off playing baseball in spring training.

So based on the past, don't necessarily expect the next album - probably out sometime in 2001 - to be the last of Garth Brooks. And depending on musical direction (scrap the Chris Gaines stuff please), that may be most welcome.