Updated October 31, 2012: Country takes on Sin City

Brooks has been performing at the Encore Last Vegas since December 2009, with an arrangement to do only weekend acoustic performances and still be home with his family. That run, which was always described as open-ended, will end on November 17, 2012. Brooks still plans to film an acoustic show there in the summer of 2013, but has not given a specific date he will return to the theater to do it.

Since his 'retirement,' Brooks has also played a number of arena concerts, most notably in Nashville to benefit the Community Foundation in Middle Tennessee. For one night only he also performed in front of a sold out audience at Scotiabank Saddledome to help the Calgary Stampede celebrate its centennial anniversary.

In an emotion-filled tribute, Brooks became the newest member of the Country Music Hall of Fame on October 21, 2012, with his hero George Strait welcoming him to the group. At the close of the ceremony Brooks offered a hint about a return to the road "some day coming up." He told the Wall Street Journal he would still play honkey-tonks if he could, adding, "Cause that's the place. No arena or stadium show has ever equaled a honkey-tonk."

Brooks' original plan was to stay home until all three of his daughters moved on to college. With the youngest currently in her junior year of high school, the now 50-year-old musician has given no clues to what the second half of his career might entail.

Garth Brooks Tickets - Artist History

Troyal Garth Brooks, better known simply as 'Garth Brooks' was born February 7, 1962 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. As a child, Brooks sang for family events, but was far more interested in sports. Proving his worth, Garth Brooks received a javelin scholarship to Oklahoma State University, where he received his degree in advertising. After graduating, Brooks began his quest to become a country star, playing in clubs and bars. In 1985, noted entertainment attorney Rod Phelps drove from Dallas to listen to Brooks. Phelps liked what he heard and offered to produce Garth's first demo.

Garth Brooks Tickets - The Music

Brooks' self-titled first album was released in 1989, featured his first hit single, 'If Tomorrow Never Comes', which was soon followed at number one by 'The Dance'. Interestingly, Brooks has stated that of all his songs, 'The Dance' remains his favorite. Garth Brooks' second album, No Fences was released just one year later in 1990 and reached the number one spot on the country music Billboard charts, as well as the number three spot on the pop Billboard charts. Brooks gained momentum by touring. Garth Brooks tickets sold quickly as he set himself apart from other current country stars by utilizing a wireless microphone that allowed him to run around the stage in the style of iconic rockers. Between 1991 and 1998, Brooks released another seven top albums, and in 1999, Brooks released the pop album Chris Gaines, which was not well recieved. Garth Brooks continued to produce albums, and in 2005, he officially retired from touring.

Garth Brooks Tickets - Tour Info

In 2009, Brooks began touring again, and he is as popular as ever. Garth Brooks tickets still sell out quickly, and his fan base continues to increase. The Recording Industry Association of America has named Garth Brooks as best selling solo artist of the twentieth century. Although this title has been shared between Brooks and Elvis Presley, it appears that the two remain neck-and-neck in sales. In addition to being named the best selling artist of the twentieth century, Brooks is also the recipient of two Grammys, sixteen American Music Awards, eleven Country Music Association Awards, and countless others. Brooks has released a whopping 14 albums, including compilations.