Garth Brooks said he was retiring way back in 2001. He was on top of the country music scene and showed no signs of slowing down, but he had a bigger picture in mind. He wanted to raise his kids the way he chose. He wanted to be there when they needed him, and not just the superstar dad that they could tell their friends about. Garth said when that job was done he would return.

The triumphant return of Garth Brooks has finally arrived, and a bit earlier than the superstar himself, thought. This past week Steve Wynn of Wynn Resorts and Garth Brooks announced a series of shows at The Encore Theatre at Wynn Las Vegas. Garth joins the likes of Elton John, Celine Dion and Wayne Newton, who all turned successful recording careers into extended engagements at resorts throughout the Nevada desert town.

The series of concerts is scheduled to begin on December 9, 2009 and is sure to please country fans and Garth fans in general. Garth Brooks is not only a star in country music, but has engaged fans across several styles of music. His crossover appeal was never more apparent than in 1997, when fans filled Central Park in New York City to see Brooks perform a special concert that included Don Mclean of “American Pie” fame and the “Piano Man” Billy Joel. There were reports of nearly three million fans, who flooded the park. In some cases they were only able to catch a glimpse of Garth on one of several big screens established throughout the park. In other cases they were only able to hear the music and celebrate with friends, but everybody still enjoyed the show.

“Everything about Garth’s performances—his artistry, the range of his voice and connection with his audience—is something that I haven’t seen since the Rat Pack.” said Steve Wynn. “I watched a man create instant love in real time, right before my eyes. Now we have the privilege at Wynn and Encore in Las Vegas to share this extraordinary, intimate experience with everyone.”

Wynn was able to put together a deal that will allow Garth to perform in Las Vegas without compromising the promise he made to himself. “Steve Wynn has done what I thought was impossible. He has given me a chance to sing again for the people, while at the same time never missing a day with my children,” says Garth. “I am naturally nervous, but it feels good to be out from under the low ceiling of ‘retirement’ I put on myself.”

It was a low ceiling of retirement indeed, as Garth has returned to the spotlight from time to time since his 2001 retirement. He released a Pink Edition of “Garth Brooks: The Ultimate Hits” to benefit Susan G Komen For The Cure and a performed a benefit concert to aid victims of California brush fires, both in 2007. Garth received the ultimate honor in 2008, being presented with The Academy of Country Music Crystal Milestone Award during the 43rd Annual Academy of Country Music Awards.

For more information on Garth Brooks and his upcoming shows in Las Vegas, check out his website at www.garthbrooks.com or the Wynn Las Vegas website at www.wynnlasvegas.com.

  KANYE WEST was kicked out of MTV’s Video Music Awards for storming the stage for a rant about an award.

The rapper was ejected from the bash in New York last night after he ran on stage and grabbed the microphone from Taylor Swift, who had just been awarded Best Female Video, the very first category of the night.

West ruined her speech by muscling in and declaring to the stunned audience that Beyonce should have won it instead.

Ignoring the boos and jeers, West, who had been seen swigging Hennessy cognac all night, said: “Yo Taylor. I’m really happy for you, I’m going to let you finish, but Beyonce had one of the best videos of all time.”

During his outburst, the cameras cut to Beyonce who looked shocked and mortified, before panning back to Swift who was left standing speechless in the middle of the stage.

West later apologised on his Twitter page for his outburst, which, according to other guests at the event, left the 19-year-old country star in tears.

He said: “I’m sooooo sorry to Taylor Swift and her fans and her mom.

“I’m in the wrong for going on stage and taking away from her moment. Beyonce’s video was the best of this decade . . . I’m sorry to my fans if I let you guys down . . . I’m sorry to my friends at MTV . . . I will apologise to Taylor.”

Later, Beyonce picked up the award for Best Video for Single Ladies and invited Swift back on to the stage before hugging her and handing her the microphone, giving her the chance to finish her acceptance speech.

Speaking about the incident with West after the show, Swift said: “I was standing on stage and I was really excited because I’d just won the award and then I was really excited because Kanye West was on stage. And then I wasn’t excited anymore after that.’

And she said she was very grateful to Beyonce for giving up her moment to allow her to speak.

Speaking to MTV, she said: “It was just so wonderful and so incredibly classy of her and just gracious and wonderful to let me say something.

“She’s just been my hero and one of my idols ever since I was little. She’s a great person.”

But other stars that performed at the event and witnessed West’s rant, came out in defence of Swift, includin Pink, who reportedly had to be held back by security as she went to confront him.

On her Twitter page, she wrote: “Kanye West is the biggest piece of sh** on earth. Quote me.

“My heart goes out to Taylor Swift. She is a sweet and talented girl and deserved her moment. She should know we all love her. Beyonce is a classy lady. I feel for her, too. It’s not her fault at all, and her and Taylor did their thing. And douche bag got kicked out.”

Katy Perry also took Swift’s side and wrote: “F*** u Kanye. It’s like you stepped on a kitten.”

   The Jonas Brothers may be ruling the teeny-bopper rock scene and Katy Perry owning the pop-tart image.   However, owning the country market is princess Taylor Swift.  

Despite all their mediocre talent and unpolished demeanors, there is something intriguing about young talent – possibly the fact that their money will inevitably be blown away before they hit 35.   That being said, Taylor Swift swiftly made her way into the pop country scene by releasing a debut called “Tim McGraw”.

The country pop star has sold over 4 million copies, and according to Forbes is the 69th most powerful celebrity, with over $18 million earnings to date.

  LeAnn Rimes and Eddie Cibrian went public last weekend, after months of denying that they were having an extra-marital affair together. It took about 10 seconds for Ed’s wife, former model Brandi Glanville, to go ballistic. She told Us Weekly that Eddie is “a compulsive liar, cheater and a home wrecker.”

And she told People mag that “He’s just somebody I don’t know. You think you know one thing and you wake up and it’s all been a lie.” They have two sons, ages six and two.

Eddie is 36. Rimes is 26.

   TAYLOR SWIFT played a joke on Keith Urban during a concert by taking the stage dressed as a member of Kiss.

Swift is currently accompanying Urban on tour in the U.S. and joined him on stage for a duet of Katy Perry’s I Kissed A Girl on Saturday night in Kansas City.

But playing a joke on her friend, the teen singer persuaded her band to join her by donning full Kiss costumes, wigs and make-up.

Swift took to her Twitter.com internet page to inform fans of her plan, posting a picture of herself and her backing musicians posing as the notorious glam rockers.

She said: “Pranking is a must. How about rushing his stage during ‘Kiss a Girl’ dressed like this? It went down.”

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