No matter where you are, flip on Garth Brooks and “Friends in Low Places” and it’s a party. Sing, laugh, drink beer. It all works.
Now, want to hear (and see) one of the most-fun performances of Brooks’ classic song?
Try December 2014. In Nashville. At a Justin Timberlake concert. Fans at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena were there to see a pop concert from Timberlake. He’s the Tennessee native, the former boy band heartthrob who evolved into an incredible solo entertainer. Check out his Super Bowl performance in 2018.
Fans at the concert had no idea Brooks and his wife, Trisha Yearwood, also were there to see Timberlake.
So Timberlake goes against type and starts the opening strains of “Friends in Low Places.” Fans loved it. They started singing along as Timberlake strummed his guitar.
Surprise! Watch What Happens Next
Then two minutes into the song, Timberlake stops the music. Moments later, a guy dressed in a black cap, yellow plaid shirt and baggy jeans comes out from behind the band. Looks like any man there with his wife or his boys.
But it’s Garth Brooks! Cue the screams from the crowd. Yes, Brooks is there to sing. With a humongous smile, Brooks holds up the microphone and encourages everyone to sing along. They did.
Brooks and Timberlake kidded each other about singing the third verse of the song. Then Brooks screams “we gotta show the young guy how we do it.”
The 50-something-singer still has it times 10.
Brooks bellowed the words. Timberlake joined him. The Timberlake band danced. So did the dancers. Brooks pulled out his cell phone and shot selfies as he hugged Timberlake. Brooks even took selfies while he was singing. Remember, he was there to attend a concert, not give one. Everyone needs to commemorate a fun time, even a superstar.
Brooks let Timberlake take the final few words. And Timberlake dropped his voice really, really low to finish it off.
The raucous performance lasted for more than 10 minutes. Timberlake, as a joke, fell face down on the stage and stayed there for a while. It’s exhausting to be that good.
Garth Brooks Got The Timberlake Invite In St. Louis
So here’s how Brooks happened to be at the concert.
It was simple. Timberlake invited him. It seems Timberlake grew up loving Brooks. He attended one of Brooks’ concerts in St. Louis the year before. Timberlake even garnered backstage passes.
In an interview with XM radio, Brooks said that during his St. Louis concert, someone told him Timberlake was in the crowd.
Brooks said: “Hahaha! Yeah, right!’ and (his friend) goes, ‘No, dude. He’s here.’ My first question was, ‘Why?’ So I come to find out, he grew up on our stuff. He’s right over stage right, and this kid’s singing every word, and I’m like, ‘Holy cow!’”
After the show, Timberlake extended the invitation to come to Nashville. Brooks said his wife told him the couple would be there.
The video of Brooks and Timberlake has more than 15 million views and counting.
Do yourself a favor. Click on the link. It’s a party.
