Country Pop Bites: Garth Brooks – December 11

Did you know that on this day in Country Music History in 2009 Garth Brooks performed the first concert in a five-year deal with Wynn Las Vegas?

It's true! He kicked off the show with "Mama Tried." Also in the set list: "Friends In Low Places," "The Dance" and "If Tomorrow Never Comes".

Check out this Garth performance!

Here are 5 interesting facts about Garth Brooks.

• He attended Oklahoma State University on a track scholarship and competed in the javelin.
• He went to Nashville in 1985 in search of a record deal, but gave up and returned home after just 23 hours.
• He released his first single, "Much Too Young (To Feel This Damn Old)," in 1989.
• He mentioned former pro bronco rider and singer Chris LeDoux in his first single, and years later attempted (unsuccessfully) to donate part of his liver to an ailing LeDoux.
• His third album, 1991's Ropin' the Wind, was the first country record to debut at No. 1 on both Billboard's Country Albums chart and the Top 200 Albums chart.