Fayetteville, AR (CelebrityAccess MediaWire) — The fact that Garth Brooks retired from music in 2001 did nothing to deter the ever-powerful Wal-Mart from booking him to play three songs at the annual shareholders meeting.
Brooks took the stage in the standard blue employee vest, with Wal-Mart and Sam’s Club name badges, and thanked the company for “always making me feel welcome.”
He told the audience of shareholders that probably one out of every four albums he ever sold was through a Wal-Mart. He also thanked his friend David Porter, a general merchandise manager at the company, according to the Northwest Arkansas Times.
Beyond being just an associate and performer, Brooks alluded to a bigger relationship with the company, but remained vague about it.
Wal-Mart showed off their big budget from big profits in the past week, booking performers Will Smith, Sara Evans, Brad Paisley, Shakira and Jimmy Buffett in the days leading up to Brooks performance. On this final day, Jessica Simpson opened the event by singing the national anthem. Jon Bon Jovi performed an acoustic set, and Christian pop singer Yolanda Adams performed.
Brooks closed the meeting by singing “The Dance,” “Till the Rivers Run Dry,” and “Friends in Low Places.”
Only the Walton family could possibly know how they will top this at next year’s meeting. –by CelebrityAccess Staff Writers
