Garth Brooks Voices Pride in Country Music Community After Route 91 Shooting
After the deadly shooting at the Route 91 Harvest Festival in Las Vegas, Nev., on Sunday night (Oct. 1), Garth Brooks posted a video on Facebook thanking first responders and sharing his pride in country music fans and the community surrounding them. Readers can press play above to watch his message, and hear him sing a bit of his song "The Change."
"I saw a lot of courage, a lot of love. I can't thank the women and men in blue enough. Can't thank the firefighters and EMTs ... hospital staff, SWAT teams, the volunteers," Brook begins. "I am very proud of how the audience handled itself ... just proud.
"Character flows in country music," the artist adds emotionally.
Country Stars Respond Following Route 91 Harvest Festival Shooting
Brooks goes on to share a line from his favorite movie, the 1984 John Carpenter film Starman. When the space alien is asked what he learned about the human race during his time on Earth, it responds with what Brooks calls the "greatest line ever": "When things are at their worst, you are at your best."
"The show must go on ... When things go bad, music and musicians go to work," Brooks says. He encourages his fellow artists, "You got a gig tonight? The music starts tonight. Start it again, start spreading the love, start creating the greatest power that music holds, that's the power to heal. All things good should start with you. If you believe it, start it up."
At least 59 people were killed and more than 500 people were injured in the Route 91 Harvest Festival shooting, which began when Jason Aldean, who was headlining the final night of the three-day festival, was performing. Other artists who performed at the Route 91 Harvest Festival include Sam Hunt, Eric Church, Maren Morris, the Brothers Osborne and Luke Combs; the event ran Sept. 29-Oct. 1.
Remembering the Route 91 Harvest Festival Shooting Victims