Garth Brooks finds friends in Saskatoon

Country starGarth Brooks kicked off the first of six sold-out shows in Saskatoon to a packed house on Thursday night.

It's been more than two decades, but according to his fans Brooks still has it.

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Saskatoon man Dave Hunt saw Brooks play 20 years ago and after the concert he said the musicianhasactually improvedhis stage show.

"It was great. I've got some family members that are coming to one of the other shows, and man oh man. They're going to love it."

When Anne Kirwan found out she got tickets to see Garth Brooks she hyperventilated at work.

She lost her breath once morewhile standing in the merchandise line on Thursday night.

"I'm trying to stay really calm, but I can't breathe again."

Shelives in Herbert, Sask., butdrove up to Saskatoon because seeing the country musician was on Kirwan'sbucket list.

"I listened to him in the womb with my mother, and since then I have his tapes, CDs, records everything."

Kirwancelebrated thenight of country music withmore than15,000 otherpeople who were packed inthe SaskTel Centre.

RonBronschwas also in attendance. Hecame up to Saskatoon from Regina.

"There were so many parts that weregood, it's hard to say that's the part. You know, I can't really say...just put my finger on it what it was. But it was really emotional, very intense, and very exciting."

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In addition to Brooks, Trisha Yearwood and Aaron Pritchett were also part of the show.

Brooks plays back-to-back shows tonight and on Saturday in Saskatoon.

Initially, Brooks was only booked for one concert but tickets sold out so fast his team ended up adding five more.