Kansas State University - Royal Purple Yearbook (Manhattan, KS)

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In a contest to win Garth Brooks tickets, Jennifer Bloxendale, junior in pre• physical therapy, squirts whipped cream on Michele Stava, sophomore in speech therapy. The contest was held at Wendy ' s on Anderson Av- enue. (Photo by CraigHacker) Richard Lulu, freshman in education, and Greg Gehrt, freshman in architectural engi- netting, await the announce- ment of their winning num- bers. Litre headed off to claim his ticket after hearing hisloncry number calk (Photo by Craig Hacker) 24 no OARTI1 BROOKS

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Country music super- star Garth Brooks plays for a packed house at Bramloge Coliseum. One hundred and fifty additional fans w ere given the opportunity to attend the concert when a reserved- seating section was opened three hours before the per- formance. (Photo by Mike Welchhans) GARTH BROOKS m 23

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FRIENDS IN KANSAS Continued from page 22 The crowd went wild when Brooks ap- peared through anopening in thestagefloor. Brooks opened his act with the song Ro- deo andperformix1popularsongs from all of his albums, including the unrcleasod album, The chase. Brooks entertained the crowd with Friends in Low Places, and encour- aged the crowd to sing along. He also intro- duced his most recent single, We Shall be Free, which had gospel overtones. The crowd enthusiastically responded to thesong, which pleased Brooks. To get that kind of a response for a song you ' ve never heard before really makes a person feel good, Brooks said. The crowd responded to all of Brooks ' songsthroughouttheeveningastheyswayed, sang, clapped and yelled. He ' s atrue entertainer, said Louis Funk, junior in civil engineering. He ' s there to play for the people. During the concert, Brooks addressed rumors circulating about his retirement Brooks said he planned to take a vacation to spend time with his wife, Sandy, and their daughter, Taylor Mayne PearL He said he (lain t want his fans to be angry with him if he chose not to return to the music industry. 1 don ' t think he ' s made up his mind about retirement. I just think he ' s trying to prepare hisfans, Funksaid. It will be agreat loss if he does decide to retire, but that ' s his choke. He needs to do what ' s best for him. After Brooks had finished performing, the audience erupted into a roar of protest that brought Brooks back on stage for an encore performance. Brooks sang another version of Friends in Low Places. He also sang a rendition of the Georgia Satellites hit, Keep Your Hands to Yourself. Brooks proved he deserved his Enter- tainerof the Yearawar d as he swung into the crowd hanging from a rope. He also took one fan ' s camera, reclined on the stage and took a picture of himself with the camera ' s owner. Another fan had her picture taken with Brooksduring the three hours shespent with him. After the concert was over, I got to go backstage and meet him, said Kelli Darting, junior in hotel and restaurant management. It wasgreat,but Isawhowexhaustedhevms. I knew then his career really was using all of his energy. Despite Brooks ' exhaustion, Darting said he had to deal with 250 screaming fans wanting autographs. Darting said she real- ized the kind of person he was off the stage. It was a very exciting experience, but once it wasover I got toreally thinking about it, she said. I realized he ' s just an ordinary man, like you and me, with a talent and kindness he uses in just the right way to touch people ' s hearts. After learning they arm tick- ets to the Brooks show, Bloxendale and Stara cel- ebrate. Brooks opened his act widsthesong Rodco. (Photo by Craig Hacker) °ARM BROOM iti 25