Heuristics

 Jeff Wise, writing in Psychology Today: 

The hiker who leaves a well-marked trail and wanders off, cross-country. The pilot who flies his perfectly maintained airplane into the ground. The kayaker who dives into a hydraulic whitewater "grinder" even though he's just seen it suck three buddies to their doom. "Gee," you think when you hear such tales, "I'd never do something like that." But would you? We like to think of ourselves as pretty rational, but that's hardly how we seem from the perspective of accident investigators and search-and-rescue crews.

Heuristic methods are used to speed up the process of finding a satisfactory solution. Examples of this method include using a rule of thumb, an educated guess, an intuitive judgment, or common sense.

The trouble is, as Wise states in "Deadly Mind Traps," People who deal with the aftermath of human error can tell you all too well that otherwise normal, healthy individuals are exceptionally predisposed to making the kind of mistake best described as boneheaded because we were on autopilot, relying on habit and time-saving rules of thumb.

Best-selling author Dan Pink has one of the top 20 most-viewed TED.com talks on "the surprising science of motivation" which makes a convincing case that traditional methods of motivating employees not only do not work, but they actually can be counter-productive.

I've long felt that way about ratings bonuses for personalities and programmers, thinking that it would be better to pay the bonus when the individual does the things that will be most likely to make the ratings go up, quite specifically, rather than crossing your fingers and hoping the sample is good and ratings reflect the outcome of the work, creating the attitude "it sometimes works and sometimes doesn't" in your key people and making the motivation based more on good luck than good work.

It's been my pragmatic belief as a manager that it's actually impossible for anyone to motivate anyone else.  So, my approach has been to try to create the conditions to recognize and reward self-motivation.

Then, I stumbled on this research from Ohio State researcher Steven Reiss who postulates “There is no real evidence that intrinsic motivation even exists.”  The argument is that people should do something because they enjoy it, and that rewards only sabotage natural desire.  Reiss disagrees.

“There is no reason that money can't be an effective motivator, or that grades can't motivate students in school,” he said. “It's all a matter of individual differences. Different people are motivated in different ways."

No wonder, given when we know about heuristics.  Putting yourself on auto-pilot, while believing you're cruising toward the goal can easily end in disaster.

Like that great philosopher and psychologist Garth Brooks has said:  “The greatest conflicts are not between two people but between one person and himself.”

When you recognize yourself starting to glide into one of the "I've always done it that way" mind traps on the way to an important goal, stop, take a breath, and turn on your rational brain.

Thank You, Carrie

The wonderful people of country music and radio businesses have, in general, been far more supportive of me than I expected in the 19 years since I started a personal gender transition which culminated in a 1995 transsexual surgery that had no negative impact on what has been a great career in a very satisfying job.

Garth Brooks released "We Shall Be Free" and performed at an AIDS benefit at about the same time and I drew tremendous support from that act from a courageous star.

Chely Wright, I hear, feels that the business could have been more supportive of her decision to come out in a public way as Lesbian.  That's sad to hear, given her fabulous radio track record that 99 out of 100 hopefuls who come to Nashville have to be quite envious about, in spite of some ups and downs along the way.  It exciting to see her finally coming to grips with it all creatively in a new film, out this month.

I've learned that we have to take our sustenance from where it comes and be grateful for the good things along the way, and I'll bet they have as well.

That's why, Country Radio and Nashville Music Business, I want you to be extra nice to Carrie Underwood right now.

I don't mean that you need to say a word about her pro/con on the air.

Part of making a self-affirming decision such as I made is understanding that as I resolved my own personal confusion it no doubt created confusion for others who were unprepared to deal with or accept it.  Those folks have every right to their feelings too, of course, and country music radio is about reflecting real life and making people feel better.

All I ask is this.  Play a little extra Carrie this week.

No one else will notice, perhaps, but I am betting she will know and get the message of support the same way I have over the years from Garth, Chely and now her.

That's what friends are for.

The Stealth Superstar

John St. John, Program Director, Mainstream and Classic Country for Dial Global/Denver was at KYGO’s thirtieth anniversary show with Tim McGraw and Lady Antebellum last weekend.

“I went around with a microphone to get listener audio for sweepers and promos from tailgaters before the show. At some point in almost all of my ‘interviews’ I would ask who are your favorite country artists? Of course, headliners Tim McGraw and Lady A were mentioned a lot. But, get ready for a surprise. On this particular weekend in the Rockies, Garth Brooks came up a lot and I mean a LOT (just as strong as McGraw and LA combined). Of course, I had Chesney, Taylor, Miranda, Urban and a few others but almost everyone included Garth in their list of favorites. More than George Strait, Toby Keith, Zac Brown or Alan Jackson! (Perhaps, because Toby will be at the same venue in a couple of weeks?) Not surprisingly, new artists were not top-of –mind.

“I know that Garth may not be testing as well as he used to in recent studies and that might be due in part by the sonic presentation of the older production values of his material and the fact that he has no currents or recurrents at all right now.

“If I were Garth, I would put together a radio only disc of remastered cuts that stand up sonically with present Nashville production. As his Walmart release proves, he’s still big to a lot of folks.

“It was purely anecdotal. I probably talked to about 60 people. The end result was that I got some great tape for sweepers and promos. Tailgaters after a couple of beers are fun to get talking.”

Also, of course, he's performing intimate shows for some 12,000 people each weekend in Las Vegas, yet I have to admit that hearing a tune from the early 90's on a station calling itself "new" or "today's" country makes me scratch my head a bit too. Does the music match the marketing message?

Where does Garth fit (or not?) in your programming today? Is country like adult contemporary today, with a strict dividing line between the ages of 38 and 42, where if you target 40+, you play Elton (Garth) and if you target under 40, you don't?

Garth Brooks Has a Suit!! (Who Knew?)

I suppose that when "Mr. President" invites you, it's time to BUY one if you don't have one.

President Barack Obama talks with Garth Brooks, who was presented with the "Grammy on the Hill Award" for his leadership in advancing the rights of music makers, in the Oval Office, April 14, 2010. The President was also presented with the 2007 Grammy Award for best spoken word album for his book "The Audacity of Hope." (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

Another Sign It's 1988 Or 1998 All Over Again For Country Music Radio

I voted this morning in RBR/Harker Research's latest opinion poll and realized that for many of us the best prize of 2010 hasn't been about money at all.

It's been concert tickets targeting Boomers and X'ers on one hand and Millennial girls on the other: Garth Brooks in Las Vegas for our upper demos and Taylor Swift's arena show for teens and their parents.

One demo isn't all that interested in the prize that the other one is extremely rabid about.

Hopefully, someone is working in a garage right now with a band, an amp or two, perfecting some exciting new sounds and songs that will bridge that gap for us, soon.

TK and Garth Rock The House - On Two Sides Of The World

The Nobel Prize ceremonies are pretty high-brow events...so who'd a thunk that the awards dinner and concert afterwards would turn into such a cool party, one that included Toby Keith singing Rap with superstar actor, Will Smith?

Toby performed "God Love Her," "Cryin' For Me (Wayman's Song)" and "American Ride," for the 8,000 folks at the concert. Toby, his wife, Tricia, plus his manager and publicist attended the ceremony to watch President Obama receive his Nobel Peace Prize.

It was at the after-party for guests and artists only, when Toby met actor Will Smith, Wyclef Jean, and Natasha Beningfield for what turned into a jamming party for all the artists and guests. Check out this link to catch Toby rapping with the best of them.

By now everybody knows that Garth Brooks came out of retirement (click to watch his pre-show interview with KMLE's Tim and Willy) for a 5 year contract to perform weekend shows at the Wynn Resorts Encore Theater in Las Vegas, on the condition that he could return home on a private jet to continue parenting his daughters on a full time basis as he's done for the last 10 years. The new gig began last Friday and Saturday as fans showed up from thousands of miles away to be as "one-on-one intimate" with Garth Brooks and his talent as you can be without having him singing in your living room.

The big question was, could the star whose show was so big and broad it entertained a million people in New York City's Central Park..be just as compelling by himself, with acoustic guitar and microphone in a venue that held about a thousand people?

The answer, a resounding yes!

Anybody that saw his show over the years experienced moments when he and his guitar would take over the show for a few songs,... but, could Garth and his guitar for an hour and a half, be as riveting and joyful?

The press was invited for the 8 and 10 o clock shows on Saturday night and a song or two into the first show, the answer was quick to come...he can do this, after all, he's Garth Brooks! His voice is still so strong and in tune, so powerful in the joy and emotion that made him great, you don't miss the big production on is records or the great band he had with him on the road.

Garth took the stage dressed in a hooded sweat shirt, baseball cap, jeans and hiking boots. No fancy sets or audio visuals of any kind, just a stool for him to sit on, which he used only to hold his bottle of water. Then, the tour-du-force of this master raconteur, humorist and vocalist begins.

Prior to the show we asked Garth how he had been preparing for this unique experience, whether he been writing notes, recollecting stuff he thought he could use in the show? But he says, "No, it's pretty easy to remember...and thank God I'm only 47, instead of 87, so it's pretty easy to remember the big milestones of my life."

Of course, it's one thing to have a good memory, but few people can recall the range of personal stories and tell them with such humor and pith that Brooks does so amazingly well. It was a wonderful night of humor and great music from the guy who will likely go down as one of the greatest performers America has ever produced. It's also interesting to hear the stories of his how his unique music was shaped by his being a fan of pop icons like James Taylor and Billy Joel. Their songs were included as well as the songs of his greatest country music influences, "The two Georges, George Jones and George Strait."

TRISHA JOINS IN ON THE FUN

At Friday's press conference Garth was asked if Trisha would ever join him during these shows. He said, not that night because she wasn't feeling good. But , about an hour and 20 minutes into the Saturday 8 o'clock show, Trisha came on stage to such a thunderous welcome, Garth exclaimed, "All of the sudden I'm 'Mr. Yearwood!''

Trisha looks great and sang her debut hit "She's In Love With The Boy.'" Then Garth suggested "Walk Away Joe," and ended up singing some sweet harmonies with her on the song." She performed on the later show as well.

GARTH TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS WITH FAMILY

Friday Garth provided an example of how the concerts and his family life will work. He flew in for the press conference and first show with his oldest daughter, Taylor," and Trisha. "We're flying out in the morning so that she can participate in a soccer match in Memphis."

Bottom line, the "Only Garth" shows at Wynn Resorts are a resounding success with the first audiences that managed to grab up the tickets to see this uniquely talented performer prove that
"Only Garth", is plenty enough for a great night of music and memoirs from an American music superstar.

- Neil Haislop

The Garth Factor

Former publicist Patsi Bale Cox has written a Garth Brooks biography entitled The Garth Factor: The Career Behind Country's Big Boom, out this month.

Cox worked with Brooks in the '90s and describes the book as being about "celebrity, record labels and creativity." She adds, "I neither asked [Brooks'] permission to write this book, nor did I ask him to participate. I told him what I was doing and that was that."

Read more at Cox's blog here. A book reception will be held at Nashville's Davis Kidd Booksellers June 4 at 6pm.

Backstage at the taping of the George Strait Artist of the Decade, Garth was asked by Neal Haislop if he knew there was new book coming out about him. When he asked who was writing it and they said, Patsi Bale Cox, Garth said, "If it's by Patsy that will be a good one."

Longneck (Baby) Bottle? Longnipple Bottle?

Lisa Roth, sister to Van Halen rocker David Lee Roth and creator of the Rockabye Baby and Hushabye Baby lullaby CD's has created a new album for baby: "Lullaby Renditions
of Garth Brooks," which hits stores on June 2.

And, yes, “Longneck Bottle” is one of the tunes on the collection, along with “Friends In Low Places” and “If Tomorrow Never Comes.”

“One of my favorites so far is Queen,” Roth told the Tennessean in Nashville the other day. “‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ is track No. 1, and it’s adorable, the cutest yet."

If she can make lullabies out of Aerosmith, Guns N’ Roses and Nine Inch Nails, "Longneck Bottle" by legendarily dedicated dad Garth was probably an easy fit.

Garth Shows He Knows How To Wow 'Em By The Million

Washington Times (click to read it) reviewer Scott Galupo: the stealer of the show turned out not to be Barack Obama or Joseph R. Biden Jr., but retired country singer Garth Brooks.

Departing from a carefully carpentered script that featured granite-like recitations of quotes from dead white guys and musical selections with some relevance to the day's theme -- unity, or love, or something -- the Large-Hatted One played to the lowest common denominator of wedding-reception rock with abridged covers of Don McLean's "American Pie" and the Isley Brothers' "Shout!"

The tens of thousands gathered around the frozen Reflecting Pool ate it up -- finally, if briefly, coming alive amid two hours of portentous speech-making that petrified (as in, turned to stone) even the comedians Jack Black, Steve Carrell and "Harold and Kumar" star Kal Penn.

Is this a great country or what?

NASCAR Gets Back To Country, Grabs Garth For Fundraiser

NASCAR seeks to reconnect with the core fans it believes it lost after years of growth and expansion, according to the New York Times, this Daytona weekend: "After a drop in television ratings the past two years, Nascar has responded with initiatives designed to bring fans back to races and television sets."

“It’s an honor to have Garth serve as the face of our 2008 NASCAR Day campaign. We are thrilled to have someone of Garth Brooks’ magnitude. He will be a great ambassador for NASCAR Fans, NASCAR Day and the NASCAR Foundation.” -- Mike Helton, NASCAR president and NASCAR Foundation board member

The Garth Experience: A Living Example Of Our Values

What can you learn about marketing from country music legend Garth Brooks? A lot, if you've ever been to one of his concerts.

Dr. Joseph Michelli is author of the book The Starbucks Experience: 5 Principles for Turning Ordinary into Extraordinary (which I liked to much that I sent it to every one of my client stations when it first came out).

He recently saw Garth in concert and shares his customer experience lessons in this motivational podcast.

1. Give your guests what they came there for.
2. Practice humility.
3. Copy greatness but sing it your way.
4. Give them more than they bargained for.

I think Michelli even missed another one: at the same time he was doing those things he was helping to (5.) make the world a better place by raising big money for a great cause.

Neil Haislop Goes Ga-Ga Over Ga-arth

His photos and review will be online tomorrow, meanwhile here's a sneak preview of it all:

How is it possible for a performer to take himself out of the game for nearly 8 years, only to come back late last year and re-assert himself at a level of performance and consumer demand as great as the day he departed? Well, 99% percent of the time, that would be impossible, but not for Garth Brooks.

Stepping back on stage to support a new disc collection, to help fight breast cancer and to honor and support the firefighters of California, Garth proved again that he's still "Garthgantua," a bigger than life superstar, encased in the body of still charming and humble, real human being.

His 9 consecutive sold-out shows in Kansas City, were the first proof that Garth has remained a major American music icon. Country radio rushed to his press conference to announce those first shows then to see what was up, and subsequently supported him by playing his old and new music, sending his first solo single in nearly a decade, "More Than a Memory," to #1 in record time. It all became one of the biggest events of the year in country music for 2007.

Just a short time later, after spawning an idea to pay tribute to and support California's firefighters who'd fought and won a battle with huge wildfires that ravaged Southern California, Garth has created already one of the biggest events of 2008 that will be hard to beat.
Scheduling 5 full shows in two days at L.A.'s Staples arena seemed an impossible task. When asked how he'd get through it, he said, "You just do it." And that he did, for 5 complete shows, including the first show Friday, that was broadcast live on CBS TV, 85,000 fans came saw and loved Garth all over again.

SATURDAY NIGHT A NIGHT TO REMEMBER
By Saturday night's final show that began at 9:30pm, if Brooks had any ring rust before starting the run of 14 shows in Kansas City and L.A., it had vanished. What the fans at Saturday's show got was absolutely vintage Garth, as exciting, musical and unpredictable as any of his shows during the 1990s.
From the first note to the last, all 17,500 fans in Staples Saturday night stood up and never sat down through 24 songs, 2 hours and 20 minutes of non-stop hits. Garth and his old magic were back!

Garth had promised to give his all for that final show, not hampered by time constraints of getting 17,500 fans out and back into the venue for the next show...and, give it he did as he kicked things off with a joint jumpin' version of "Callin' Baton Rouge." Halfway into the show, he had a little help from wife, Trisha Yearwood, whose entrance brought the house down. They performed a passionate version of "In Another's Eyes," followed by Garth subbing for Don Henley on version of "Walkaway Joe" that was astonishingly great.

By the encore, not yet satiated fans wanted more. Garth delivered again with, "Ain't Going Down 'til Sun Comes Up." At that point, he'd given everything he had and the crowd felt it and loved him for putting on such an amazing performance, after having given it up for two other audiences that same day.

Los Angeles Is About To Catch (Garth) Fire Again

Garth Brooks met the press yesterday morning at Staples Center in Los Angeles where he begins his historic five full shows in two days. The conference was webcast live from http://www.garthbrooks.com/.

The shows, today and tomorrow, are to benefit the firefighters of California who fought last year's disastrous wildfires that burned millions of acres of Southern California from Los Angeles to San Diego.

Garth, who once had saved people from an Oklahoma grass fire, was quick to explain why he wanted to help out the people of California.

"I'm from Oklahoma, I know a lot about grass fires, I know a lot about wind and fire and I've never, ever seen wind and fire like I saw on television and the fact that these guys (firefirghters) are not fighting on a flat surface like we do at home. They deserve much respect and all the help they can get, so I feel lucky to be a part of this. Raising money for this is part of this...what's most important for me is where that money goes and how that money is distributed."

Garth then thanked the L.A.Times/McCormick Foundation for taking over the logistical cost of collecting and distributing the funds raised by his concerts, noting that the administrative part takes a lot of the funds raised and expressed his gratitude that all of the funds raised by his concerts will go to giving support to L.A. area firefighters.

(photo) Garth was presented a 5 disc plaque by Staples Center to commemorate his history making 5 full shows in two days at the venue. Brooks was also presented a certificate of achievement and made an honorary Cal-Fire fighter by a group of firefighters the represented all the different agencies that had been engaged in battling the West Coast holocaust.

Can WIVK Get Garth?

"It has been years since Garth Brooks has come to Knoxville, and now WIVK asks, CAN we get Garth back? We will try to persuade him to come by collecting 20,400 cans of food for Second Harvest, which matches the total number of seats in the newly renovated Thompson/Boling Arena. Once we collect the cans, we’ll do our best to persuade Garth to come to Knoxville for a concert. There’s no guarantee he will agree, but our neighbors served by Second Harvest will benefit nonetheless."

If anyone can pull this off, I'd bet PD Mike Hammond can do it, thanks to the kindness and community spirit of Garth Brooks.

Garth Sells 85,677 In 59 Minutes, Kenny Sells Out Gillette Stadium In 15

The stories:

* Garth Brooks Los Angeles charity concerts sell out in an hour

“It’s a beautiful thing when everyone pulls together. “California just raised a ton of money for their own. I’m so proud to be part of this.” -- Garth

* Kenny Chesney sells out first stadium show of '08 in 15 minutes

" It's amazing how people everywhere like to get together, have a party, forget about what's bothering them. I try to make these shows be the kinda thing people can build a summer around - all the memories, the friends, the good times. Boston, when you guys buy all these tickets so fast, you make me feel like we're connecting just the way we hope we can.” -- Kenny

.. Promising signs for a great '08 for country on tour!

Garth's Next Major Announcement Is Monday (11/26) At 12 Noon PT

Garth Brooks' next concert will raise money for the victims of the recent California fires and for the future of fire fighting in the State of California. The concert will take place on Saturday, January 26, 2008 at Los Angeles’ Staples Center.

All ticketing information and show time will be released MONDAY, NOVEMBER 26th, 12 NOON PT.

According to Brooks’ spokesperson, California elected officials have come to Garth to ask his help in raising money for those affected by the recent fires.

“I’m flattered they’ve asked and I’m honored to accept. This is going to take a team effort like nothing I have ever been a part of before.” -- Garth Brooks.

For more information on Garth Brooks contact Nancy Seltzer at (310) 938-3562.

Garth Plays To 159,775 Fans In Nine Nights

Neil Haislop chose a great time to relaunch his informative website and makes the most of it tomorrow morning with this report, advanced to A&O today:

GARTH TRIUMPHANT IN KANSAS CITY

At one point during Garth Brooks' triumphant 9th and final show in Kansas City last night, he was presented a large plaque for drawing 159,775 fans during his 9-show series at the new Sprint Center (where Garth cut the ribbon to open the joint up). The Sprint Center General Manager, Brenda Tinnen, declared that an identical plaque would reside in a place of honor high above of the center until Garth comes back to play there again.

OUR UNOFFICIAL FIGURES...

Based on an educated guess, average ticket price of $25, Garth's total audience would translate to a gross of just under $4 million dollars for the 9-shows. Estimating too, that 300 theaters with average seating of around 400 per house and an average ticket price of $10, adds and estimated $1.2 dollars for last night bringing the total (before tonight's theatrical replay showings of the final show), brings the total gross to $5.2 million dollars, unofficial estimate.

ULTIMATELY THE GARTH EXPERIENCE FOR 9 NIGHTS RUNNING TURNS OUT TO BE PRICELESS

Everybody walked away from Sprint Center or their local movie house running the show, with an unforgettable experience that one of the greatest performers of the 20th and 21st centuries so far, has been gifting fans for nearly two decades. It was vintage Garth, full of love, power, timeless songs, unpredictable performances and patter from a master that has lost none, in the 8 years he's been retired, of that "thing" that comes out of him on stage placing thousands of fans in the palm of his hand, and him planted firmly in their hearts. It's amazing, but not unexpected that Garth remains, Garth.

There were fans of all ages crowding the stage. And, it was impressive to see young women, who were likely 10 to 12 years old when Garth released his greatest hits, all responding to the timeless tunes with as much passion and enthusiasm as their older sisters or parents. Not, only responding but singing word-for-word "the old stuff" (as Garth declared he was planning to perform each night).

Garth didn't swing on ropes or stage dive or fly overhead or run and jump like he sometimes did. And he didn't bother to color his graying hair to look as young as he did 8 years ago, he just presented Garth and all the energy, charisma and joyful performances that he has always offered his fans...and they loved it!

THE MOVIE HOUSE SHOW

While there's nothing that can beat being physically present for the palpable Brooks' live experience, we have to admit the big screen presentation we saw came real close to feeling like you are right there. Produced and directed by Jon Small, the genius director of Garth's videos and concert DVDs, the incredible attention to a surround sound system created the feeling that you were sitting in the middle of a section of a 1,000 people, with hoops and hollers, clapping and singing happening around you as it does in a big arena. The visuals are HD quality on a grand scale(imagine a HD screen in your home 60 x 40 ft), with close ups of Garth so intimate you could see the joy and fire in his eyes. The music mix of the theater show was simply phenomenal.

The experience was so real that the audience in the movie house was cheering, and singing along. At one point, Garth addresses the movie theater audience saying, "You don't have a hair on your a__ if you don't get up on your feet and shout." The movie crowd did just that with the illusion of being a live participant at the show, complete.

If you didn't make it to the live movie house show last night, it's worth going to the replay tonight.

Watch for future theatrical tie-ins like this to be tried by other artists on tour.

MEANWHILE, don't forget that Garth's Kansas City shows started out as a thank you concert for Wal-Mart employees, and as a way to promoted his Ultimate Hits package. And, Garth will continue to do that next week on GAC when they present “Ultimate Garth-The Ultimate Hits.” For a glimpse of just how much the music means to Garth Brooks, country music fans need look no further than Sunday’s one-hour television special on Great American Country, Ultimate Garth -The Ultimate Hits, which airs Nov. 18 at 8 p.m. ET. GAC takes viewers behind the scenes to see how the top-selling solo artist of all time hand-picked songs and videos included in Brooks’ latest CD/DVD greatest hits collection titled, Garth Brooks – The Ultimate Hits.

How Many Artists Will Thank Radio On ABC-TV?

.. after resignedly watching the last few TV awards shows, I have to say two things.

1. The above is a rhetorical question (for reasons which elude me).
2. Garth Brooks "gets it."

Garth Brooks has now surpassed Elvis Presley as the top selling artist in the history of American Music and top selling solo artist Worldwide with album sales in excess of 123 million.

When Garth retired some 8 years ago, his total sales were around 104 million albums. Since then he's continued to sell 19 million more albums bringing his total to in excess of 123 million. That deed was announced officially yesterday morning on the steps of Capitol Records in Hollywood, when the RIAA General Manager, Joel Flatow, presented Brooks with his plaque commemorating sales of more than 123 million units. (take a listen to what Garth said)

The Old Stunts Are The Best Stunts

In Huntsville this morning just as Garth's "Ultimate Hits" collection hits stores, Clear Channel PD Jim Tice flips WDRM, Huntsville at 7:20 a.m to "Garth 102.1 FM," with all Garth songs all day long and the imaging customized by Garth for the rest of today.

Of course, 'DRM is giving away "Ultimate Hits" packages every hour all day, qualifying winners for a trip to K.C.

A personal story of branding numerous launching stations "Garth" in the early 90's: WBUL, Lexington, started that way, as did WOW-FM, Birmingham and Froggy 99.9, Fargo and quite a lot of today's very successful country stations consulted back then by either "A" or "O"..

However, ultimately, in Fresno when we did the stunt again, I knew we were in trouble when we then changed after a few weeks from "Garth" to "Frog" .. and almost immediately started getting calls from listeners saying they actually liked "K-Garth" better!

Garth Hits The Hollywood Street On Monday

Monday morning Garth Brooks will be present on the sidewalk of the Capitol Tower building in Hollywood, near his Hall of Fame Hollywood Star, where he'll receive a special presentation from RIAA (Recording Industry of America Association). The public is invited to the event.

There's no word on what the event will celebrate, perhaps recognition of reaching another milestone in overall album sales, 110 million? Or certification of some of his highly collectible Box sets?

Fans can find out by checking into www.garthbrooks.com where the event will be streamed live starting 9:30AM PT.

One thing for sure: A&O's pal Neil Haislop will be there.