Garth Brooks Is Back! Comeback Album, World Tour on the Way

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ETONLINE

Garth Brooks is betting big on a comeback.

The country superstar announced on Thursday that he has signed a brand new recording deal with Sony Music Nashville/RCA to release his first original album since 2001's Scarecrow. Though a release date has not been set, Brooks hopes to have his album out this fall – specifically on Black Friday. As for when fans will get a first taste of Brooks' new music, he teased that songs could be released in the next two months.

The country icon added that the type of music he is recording is a mix of traditional and modern country. "Our job is to fly the flag for country music," he said, maintaining that, above all, fans can expect "Garth music." Given his lengthy hiatus from the industry, Brooks teased that his next release could even be a double album.

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Though his recently planned performances in Ireland have been plagued with controversy (legal threats from some local residents led to a cancellation of all five scheduled shows by event organizers Aiken Promotions and Croke Park management), Brooks said that he intends to announce plans for a world tour in the near future. Referring to the debacle in Ireland, Brooks said he was "shocked" and "dumbfounded" but added that the Irish people "have my love forever."

Late last year, Brooks told ET's Nancy O'Dell that the youngest of his three daughters was close to her high school graduation – and that could mean a career comeback for he and wife Trisha Yearwood. "Our statement has always been the same: We got one baby left in high school and then we'll figure out what's left for me and Ms. Yearwood," Brooks told O'Dell. On Thursday, Brooks became visibly choked up while speaking about the years spent raising their daughters: "I found my purpose for the rest of my life."

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Another bit of news to come out of Thursday’s press conference is Brooks’ foray into the digital world. For the first time in his career, Brooks will allow his music to be sold digitally within the next few weeks. Perhaps even more importantly, he’s ready to join the world of social media.

Brooks was named an Artist of the Century by the Recording Industry Association of America and Artist of the Decade by the American Music Awards back in 2000. To this day, only The Beatles and Elvis Presley have sold more albums than Brooks in the U.S. Among his most popular No. 1s are “If Tomorrow Never Comes” and “Friends In Low Places.”

Follow Sophie on Twitter: @SophieSchillaci

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