‘I’ve been waiting 35 years,’ read one of the signs Garth Brooks fan Jaimee Lee brought with her to Saturday’s concert at Sleep Train Arena.
“I’ve been a Garth fan for as long as I can remember and have wanted to see him live,” Lee told Kings.com. “The last time he was here (in 1997) I was a poor college student and didn’t get to go.” This time, thanks to a friend, she was able to see the legend in person twice in one weekend, during which she came up with a great idea.
Lee created a sign for Sunday’s performance, knowing she would be sitting on the floor, which was a guitar shaped piece of cardboard reading, ‘Hey Garth! Want to Trade?’
Brooks, known for engaging with fans who attend his shows in a multitude of ways; from seat upgrades that bring fans right up to the stage, to stopping the show to share personal anecdotes, saw the sign early in the show.
“I saw him read it and he pointed at me and kind of smiled,” she said, “I thought that was it and I was super excited!”
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A little later in the evening Brooks called out to Lee’s side of the stage asking where that guitar was. As she held it up over the crowd he beckoned her to the stage to inspect the guitar, noting how nice it was. Then he turned around.
“He started unclipping his guitar and I just thought this is actually happening!” Before making the trade Brooks asked her is she was sure she wanted to give up her guitar, and without missing a beat he handed it over along with his pick and capo.
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“I was just so in shock and blown away,” she laughed. “I don’t even remember the rest of the concert.”
Following the show Lee was called backstage by a member of Brooks’ crew to retrieve the case. “He told me that Garth doesn’t give his guitars away very often and that this guitar has been played more on his tour than any other.”
Though Lee has never played the guitar, she says she’s definitely going to learn after this experience.
Talk about a truly special moment for a lifelong fan.
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