PRESS CONFERENCE: Garth Brooks & Trisha Yearwood "word for word"

Garth Brooks Announcement – 10/28/10



For the first time since 1998, Garth Brooks is returning to Nashville to perform Friday, December 17th, 7:00 PM at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, benefiting The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee in support of all those affected by the disastrous flooding this past Spring.

The announcement was made Thursday morning from the State Capitol Building, with the attendance and support of Governor Phil Bredesen, Senator Lamar Alexander, Senator Bob Corker, Congressman Jim Cooper, Congressman Marsha Blackburn, Mayor Karl Dean and Ellen Lehman, President of The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee.

Gov. Bredesen:  Good morning and thank you all for being here.  It was just 6 months ago now that communities across Tennessee were affected by the record rains and flooding that occurred that first weekend in May.  Since then, I have to tell you, that I have been very, very proud of the way that everyone has pitched in to help their neighbors to recover and rebuild. We all knew back then that it was going to be a long process that was going to require our continued commitment to making it happen.  Our internationally known music community has certainly stepped up and been a leading force in efforts to help recover, to help raise funds, to help some of the people who have fallen through the cracks of some of the other programs that are out there.  And to make us aware of the needs of those affected by the floods.  I remember thinking at the time that we had a flood and the cameras were all here but after a while they go away and the individuals whose homes were destroyed are still there to deal with each of these issues.  I’m glad to welcome this morning here Garth Brooks, Governor Phil Bredesen, Senator Lamar Alexander, Senator Bob Corker, Congressman Jim Cooper, Congressman Marsha Blackburn, Mayor Karl Dean and Ellen Lehman, President of The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee
 to the capital today for an important announcement that will demonstrate our continued effort to help our communities recover across Tennessee.  I’d also like to recognize Commissioner Matt Kinsber from our Department of Economic and Community Development and Commissioner Susan Whitaker from our Department of Tourism.  Today’s announcement reflects our state’s business and tourism industry so I’m glad to have you here today as well.

Now please join me in welcoming to the podium, Mr. Garth Brooks for an announcement. (Cheering and clapping from audience)

G. Brooks:  Good Morning, to you.  We are here today in conjunction with the great state of Tennessee to announce we would like to now step forward and try and do our part in the relief efforts.  We think it’s a great time around Christmas to announce that we’re going do one arena show this year in 2010, it will be here in Nashville and it will be for the flood relief victims.  We’re going to have a question and answer thing here later so I’m going to jump out of the way since that’s what everyone here is for. The support has been amazing!  This is one of those things that this really feels good to do.   J  So this is going to be a great day.  I’m looking forward to filling you guys in on all the details if you are interested.  Again, I cannot thank the state of Tennessee enough for the interest they have shown in this.  To be part of this relief effort is an honor to me this morning.

Gov. Bredesen:  Thank you very much.  You are a man of very few words. (Laughing)  But thank you very much for contributing your talents and time to help Tennessee through this recovery.  The music community in Tennessee has really been amazing in this process and this is a continuation of that process.  People around the world today look to Tennessee for the very best in music and today’s announcement shows that Tennessee also represents in that community, also, the very best of human spirit.  For our people and the willingness of everyone in our state to pitch in and do what is required to help people recover.  So thank you again, Garth, for helping lead this effort.  Rebuilding from a natural disaster like this one we experienced  takes time and money and I hope that in addition to raising additional flood relief funds, this concert reminds us of all the people who are still struggling to rebuild still need our help.  We will get into the details of this announcement shortly but first I’d like to ask the members of the Tennessee Congressional delegation to offer a few comments as well.  We have, as I said, Senator Alexander, Senator Corker, Representative Cooper and Representative Blackburn.  If I might begin with our senior Senator, Senator Lamar Alexander.

Sen. Alexander:  Thank you.  Thank you, Mayor Dean for doing such a great job this year.  Garth and Trisha, thank you.  It’s a big treat for Tennessee to know that the only arena show that you will do this year will be in Nashville so the benefits will go to the flood victims.  When I tell people in Washington how bad the flood was and how many counties it affected in TN, they are surprised.  In the last two months, 64,000 Tennesseans have received about a quarter of a million dollars from the Federal Government and from paper reports that there are still a number of people who are hurting and still haven’t even found a way to get help, so this is very welcome help.  One reason not as many people have heard about it around the country is that Tennesseans went out and about instead of looting and complaining.  Tennesseans were cleaning and helping each other and earning a lot of respect from around the state and this is one more example of Tennesseans and friends of Tennesseans helping one another.  We are deeply grateful to Garth and Trisha for this act of generosity.

Sen. Corker:  I want to second the great leadership the Governor and the Mayor have shown.  I just was telling them that this is the first 9 am press conference that we were actually excited about coming to. (Laughter)

You know I think it’s a privilege for almost everybody that serves in the in the United States Senate to do so, but I think it’s even more so to represent a state like TN.  Literally, the whole country watched as Tennesseans helped each other through this last crisis.  It’s an amazing thing to see, as well as you see other events take place around the country and sometimes there’s a different response and it makes you so proud to represent the great people of this state.  What I like about what Garth and Trisha are doing is that they knew on the front end that there would be a major rush, if you will, of regional resources in to help people of middle TN, but they knew at some point in time the focus would be off of that and people in some ways might move on.  What they are doing is continuing to aid in that effort.  As the Tennessean mentioned today; that a number of people have fallen through the cracks and they are insuring that those people who have fallen through the cracks receive help.  So Garth, let me just tell you that I’ve been around this country and there’s a lot of fear and anger right now throughout this state and what you’re doing today for me, and I’m sure for all of those who are gathered here, is like a balm, B A L M, of hope and warmth all of us here are indebted to both of you for bringing attention to TN and showing what we all do. Again, thank you very much.

Rep. Cooper:  On part with our great Governor, our Mayor and Congressional delegation we all know that no community can bounce back better than TN did after the flood but the recovery effort is still going on.  The newspaper reported that hundreds of families still need help.  I got a call just yesterday from a single mom that’s got four kids, her basement was flooded so she lost her washer and dryer, she lost all her kids winter clothes, and FEMA (Federal agencies) don’t help you if it’s just your basement.  It’s got to be living space so I am so thankful with the Christmas season coming up that SUPERSTARS like Garth and Trisha are coming forth to give us a Christmas we can all afford to and will help countless families.  So thank you, Garth and Trisha. 

Rep. Blackburn:  I think it’s helpful that each of us realizes the REASON that TN came through like we did with the flood.  It’s because of compassion, caring, talented people who stepped up to the plate and story after story of community after community in all 15 of my counties I represent, including Davidson county, the story was neighbor helping neighbor.  We’ve seen it time and again I’m certain there is a country song in there somewhere, Garth. (laughing)  And we thank you and Trisha for being part of those kind, caring, compassionate and talented people who are willing to say, “We are here to volunteer, we are here to help.”  So we thank you very much for that and we also thank the Governor and Mayor Dean for the leadership that they have shown as part of the Davidson country Congressional delegation in dealing with the communities and the individuals who are suffering from the impact of the this flood.  We thank you for the leadership and we thank you for the contributions that you are making to improve the quality of life for all Tennesseans.  Thank you again.

Gov. Bredesen: Thank you very much.  I do want to offer a personal note of thanks to our Congressional delegation for their help over the years and especially during this time. In the days and weeks that followed the flood our delegates made sure that TN received all the Federal assistance that was possible.  There were a lot of phone calls back and forth to work those things out.  They have remained focused on this issue over the past six months.  The people who represent the people of TN really do have an understanding that this problem; though the waters have receded, the problems have not gone away.  So let me again, my thanks to each of you for your continued support in this.  Immediately after the flood I praised the work of our local officials and first responders across the state for moving so quickly to save those that were stranded and to provide emergency assistance as needed.  I have often found that sometimes officials can get in the way of those first responders in the initial stages of emergency like this and I think all of us have heard that for the first 36 hours it’s best to kind of stay out of the way and let the experts do what they really do so well.  But I’ve also heard that it’s the strength of the local leaders that determines how well a community bounces back after those first responders get there and get the job done.  And I can tell you that under the leadership of Mayor Dean that Nashville did an outstanding and really wonderful job of responding to the emergency as it occurred and he’s continuing to lead the town admirable through the recovery.  During my time as Mayor of Nashville I dealt with a few natural disasters, but nothing as serious as Mayor Dean has encountered as this flood.  I know how difficult it can be and feel that experts on natural disasters in Nashville, but Mayor Dean I appreciate your leadership, you have truly done a wonderful job getting the city through a very difficult time.  It’s my pleasure to have Mayor Dean here today and I’d like to invite him to the podium too. 

Mayor Dean:  Thank you Governor for those kind words, it is an honor to be here with you this morning and to be with our delegation in Washington.  Again to thank them with your remarks for what they have done for TN and Nashville as support on a Federal level.  Let me just say very simply to Trisha and Garth, thank you very much.  This is VERY BIG deal and it means a lot to our city.  We knew before the flood that Nashville was a caring, giving community that believed in volunteerism and one of the things that was most moving to me in the days after the flood was to walk down the streets where the buildings and the homes were basically being “demucked” and all being prepared to be repaired and rebuilt with the rotten drywall and the rotten carpet and all the personal possessions that were destroyed in the flood and were removed and placed out into the street for the Public Works department to come and pick them up.  When you were walking down the streets and all over in Nashville; it happened North, South, East and West, you would see these piles and you’d stop and think who did all this work in the immediate days after the flood?  Well, it wasn’t your Federal government, it wasn’t the state government and wasn’t the local government, it was the people of Nashville.  Volunteers, it was people, churches helping their parishioners; it was businesses helping employees, strangers being helped by Nashville people, volunteers (19,000 from Hands on Nashville).  So the response to the flood, the story to me, is the citizens of our city.  And Garth and Trisha, what you are doing only builds on that.  One of the things we are trying to do in Nashville is with a program called “We Are Home” which is a housing fund, is to bridge the gap between the money that people can get from SBA, FEMA and their own insurance and what they need to get back into their own homes.  The Community Foundation funds have been a key support for this effort and so far we have paid out over $7 million in grants and low interest loans.  Most of these funds come from the Federal Community Development dollars, but much of it comes from the Community Foundation.  So the money that will come in from telethons and from concerts like the one coming up in December help run this fund and it continues to come at a time when it’s most needed.  If you stop and think, in December the city will be beautiful.  There will be a big Christmas tree here, there will be a Christmas tree downtown in front of the courthouse, the lights will be on, but there will still be people who need this.  People who won’t have adequate clothing, people who won’t have toys for their kids and this is a fantastic effort that will help address that.  So Garth and Trisha, thank you so much for what you are doing.  It really means a lot to the people of this city and I say this as mayor, on behalf of all the citizens of Nashville, thank you!

Ellen Lehman:  Hello, one of the things that we need to mention is the fact that the people who were affected by this disaster are by and large, people who have never before had to ask for help.  They are Tennesseans and they have always stood on their own two feet, they have always made it on their own.   They have educated their kids and they have always done everything right, everything they way we have asked them to do.  They are not people who are used to asking for help.  One of the things that we know about disasters is that they unfold in waves.  We can look 911, we can look at Katrina, we can look at the Oklahoma City bombings, whether they are man-made or whether they are natural disasters, and they unfold in waves.  These folks have again always stood on their own two feet and are now encountering challenges that we could not have anticipated in May and next May they will be encountering challenges that we couldn’t have anticipated today.  It is REALLY IMPORTANT that everyone understand that this is a process.  Rebuilding lives takes time.  Rebuilding homes takes time.  Rebuilding livelihood takes time.  Rebuilding memories can take time and rebuilding peoples’ mental health.  We are seeing many cases of Post -Traumatic Stress.  Lots of faces of people who could get through this when they were in emergency mode because the adrenaline was working, but now they realize that they are in a new world that their life is never going to be the same.  And for that reason alone, I am so honored to be here to thank you and to thank Garth for this incredible gift and to thank all these people who have gotten us where we are today.  Because while it’s very great to credit the volunteers, and this is the Volunteer State, we have shown it again, reality is without the leadership of these folks here to bring money in, to get FEMA on the ground quickly, to make the systems work so much better than they have across the country we wouldn’t be where we are now.  So thank you Commissioner, thank you Garth and thank you all.

Gov. Bredesen:  Thank you, Ellen, and thanks to you and the partnerships that Mayor Dean and you have formed with other agencies to provide assistance since the month of May.  As Ellen mentioned, the Community Foundation has really done a great job of managing the distribution of aid to people who were affected and I’m very glad they are part of this major effort.  You know, as government we have programs to deal with this; by the very nature of government there are a lot of rules around this program.  You can take care of a lot of issues through them, but the kind of flexibility that comes with what Garth and Trisha are doing and actually the Community Foundation, really lets you fill in an awful lot of the gaps that slip between the cracks in terms of the Government aid is a very human way of helping to deal with some of the problems that these have presented.  A couple weekends ago, I was in one of the big box home retailers and ran into a couple of people in there who were damaged by the flood and had gone through all of the available aid who were just every week coming over and picking up a couple sheets or more of drywall, things like that to continue the process of rebuilding their home.  These people deserve some help too and things like this concert are exactly what is going to make it possible.  Before I open it up to questions and ask Garth to come up here.  I’m sure questions are going to be for him and all of the questions are all available, I do want to make a point about how proud I am of our state and its citizens and how it’s responded during the flood and the weeks and months after the flood.  I take great pride in the fact of being Governor in a state where the citizens have so much compassion and so much sense of responsibility to their fellow citizens.  As much damage and destruction as was done to people’s properties and people’s lives these floods have definitely not broken the spirit of the state and in some ways have brought people together and have made us stronger as a state.  We are still a statewide community of people who truly care about each other.  I believe the floods showed the very best side of who we are in the state of Tennessee.  And with that I would like to open it up to any questions that the members of the press who are here may have and Garth, I ask that you come up here. Thank you.  Questions, please.

Q1:  Can I ask, you have mentioned several times that it will be around Christmas, so I’m wondering if that is going to have any impact on the type of show that you and Trisha will be doing?

GB:  No, I mean, our job is to make it the best show we can, so the fact that it’s around Christmas is, a statement Miss Ellen made was, around the middle or end of May, she said, “Be careful, because disasters are only disasters until the next one comes along.”  But we want to make sure that we stay focused on this and we have for four or five months now; so we were getting everything ready.   If you come to Vegas you’ll see Garth Brooks and a guitar, but if you come to Nashville this Christmas you’re going to see the band that you know, see the light rig that you know, see the stage that you know, and hopefully see a show that we will try to be what could be the best Garth Brooks show. 

Yes, ma’am?

Q2:  Can you tell us exactly when you decided to do this show and why? 

GB: Yea, I think we decided to do this show the day that we saw the footage of the floods.  We are lucky enough to have a dual residency, so you’re talking to a guy that’s from here, but saw it from outside.  As doubly painful as it was to watch from outside, now you’re doubly proud to get to help. And I got tell you right off the bat we’re kind of, I can’t speak for Miss Yearwood, but I’m a little embarrassed this morning because I’ve already heard my name more times than it was meant to be heard.  This is about two citizens standing up as two citizens.  We’re following in the footsteps.  There were a lot before us that came out to do their thing and what we’re doing is trying to continue the example they have set and try to continue the example that the citizens of this state have set.  From outside looking in, you guys kind of got screwed.  The fact that there was something going on in the Gulf and the level of evidence was misunderstood by so many because the press was not here as much.  But I’ll put this along anything we’ve seen in our lifetime as far as tragedy.   It came from you guys that pulled you guys out of it; so the reason that we’re coming here today, the reason for such a big announcement is, yes we are now again going to ask TN to pull TN out of this, but I am making it this morning to all of our families from Ireland, Australia, Germany, all over the world.  In Vegas, people talk about a “bucket list”, if this is a “bucket list” for you, this is the time to do it.  Come here to Nashville, because our job is to show everyone that Nashville is not only up and running, it’s better than it’s ever been.  And I truly believe it and that’s why we are here this morning. 

Yes?

Q3: Will this be a show where you will have some special guests come in to Nashville or will it primarily be you and Trisha?

GB:  We can use all the help we can get. (Laughter)  As you get older, entertaining becomes tougher, you know?  So yea, we’re going to use all the help we can get and most just surprises so nobody is expecting something or paying for something or expecting someone they don’t get.  So yea, we’ll make that call now that the dates have been announced.  We will make that call to our fellow artists now.

Yes, sir?

Q4:  Can you describe what does Nashville mean to you? What does this area mean to you?

GB:  It’s what young people lay in their bed and dream of.  It’s crossing that bridge over the Mississippi and seeing that Nashville is 200 miles, but the truth is that it’s about 700 miles for most of us.  (Laughter from crowd)  Don’t ever drive, ha-ha.  That stretch has got to be the longest stretch in the world, but what Nashville means to me is the first time I ever found WSM.  First time, I remember Cathy Martindale’s  voice was on there and that’s where I was headed.  It’s funny because that’s where your heart had been for a while now you’re finally catching up and that’s what Nashville means to me.  I gotta tell you though it’s a different feeling, this right here is, because what we saw on TV would make you very proud!  You guys did this yourselves and you did.  And I think the government and I thank everyone for the help, hopefully I’ve done truthfully, this is on the backs of your own people and we today are lucky enough to be two more of those people that live here that just want to be part of the healing process. 

Yes, ma’am

Q5:  Can you tell us how fans can get tickets and the price range and all? 

GB: We are sitting here as everyone can imagine, you’re sitting here trying to raise money and you want to raise a lot but at the same time, look at the economic times that we are in.  And, you know, just so you measure these two together and we’ve decided that everything that is a blessing is a curse and everything that is a curse is also a blessing.  My curse is that I’m not very good at math so that’s going to be a blessing, because I figure $25 bucks makes it easy, four people for $100 bucks a family coming in.  Now here’s the great thing that I love and I’m very, very proud of…know that this is the only place that you can do this.  Can’t do it in LA, we did something for the wildfire victims out there.  And there’s no way we could make the announcement we’re about to make out there, but here its Tennesseans helping Tennesseans.  So the fact that I am not good at math, again, helps us in the fact that the way to figure out how much money is made is simply multiply the number of tickets sold by the ticket price.  And that’s the money we’re going to get here.  Everyone else has volunteered their services for free; so the building has been a dream to work with, Bill Ferrell  has been a dream to work with, so made all the calls out like to John McBride to Butler  to Strickland , these guys, they are all coming back and they’re all doing it for free!  And I can’t thank them enough.  Cause those are the names that should be repeated over and over instead of Ms. Yearwood and I. 

Yes, ma’am?

Q6:  We know that your fans are going to snap up the tickets in no time, are there plans for additional shows?  Or is it really a one night only?

GB:  Well, uh, you always do a one night only thing and then you gotta remember, this isn’t my money.  So if there is enough demand for two shows, will that not be taking half the money that this place deserves?  If there is enough demand for 20 shows, you’re still getting money if you don’t do that so that’s all I’m going to say.  For our people that know us, know that if you’re interested to come see us, we’re going to make it happen. 

Q7:  For the firefighter shows there was a television component, will there be one this time around?

GB: You know,  we haven’t explored it  on television yet for this.  That’s a good question.  What we really found last time was that the component was more in the individual ticket , so we will see.  Now that we are getting closer here, CBS was a wonderful partner, so that we’ll have to see.

Q8:  I was wondering if maybe we could hear from Trisha?  Put you on the spot for a comment or two? (audience applause)

Trisha Yearwood:  The only thing I could really add would be, you know that Garth and I did see this, you know I lived here for 15 years before I moved to Oklahoma, and to see it on television and see the devastation, to see places that I know well underwater  was really surreal.  And then to see community pitching in the way you did was amazing!  So for us, we have been to places like to New Orleans after Katrina, over two years later and see that things are still now and even now 5 years later STILL needing to be rebuilt.  It doesn’t go away and so I think the main focus for us to still be here when everybody’s gone back to whatever they are used to.  I am honored to be a part of this.  I mean, I think when things like this happen I’m pretty proud of myself, I think I’m on a level here and then I will embarrass my husband by saying this, but then we’re talking about it and I’ve got an idea and then he comes in with an idea (raising her hand level much higher).  (Giggles) and it’s like yea, so I’m excited because I think we have an opportunity to have a lot of fun and to raise some money for our state.  So I’m just glad to be a part of it. 

Q9:  Can I ask you a question Gov. Bredesen and probably Mayor Dean as well?  Talk about when you guys were approached by Garth and Trisha, what were the feelings? What were the discussions like?

Gov. Bredesen :  Look, I was VERY pleased when I was asked because I can’t emphasize enough the progress of the disaster is where everyone is focused for two or three or four weeks and then the reporters go home, the attention turns somewhere else and there still are hundreds of families out there who are struggling with things like he had described, so it’s both the money AND keeping attention on the fact that there are families out there that are still struggling.  And asking people to reach to them through their churches, maybe, in a way to put together help that is even outside of the money raised and goes through the Community Foundation, but just to keep re-reminding people that it’s going to take two or three years for some of these families to get back their feet back beneath them.  And anything that someone can do to keep people’s attention on this after the footage of the disaster goes away I think is really important.  So it’s both of those things for me.  Mayor, do you want to add to that?

Mayor Dean:  Well, the thing the Governor said about keeping people’s attention focused on people who still need help, we really as a government can’t rest until we have gotten everybody we could possibly can back into their homes and restore them as best we can to where they were before the flood.   But this is also wonderful in the sense that it sends an important message that we need to keep repeating that Nashville is open for business and that Nashville remains Music City.  It is THE place to come and hear the best music in the world and this message will be reinforced in the next couple weeks with Gaylord Opryland hotel will be reopening on Nov. 18^th, the Grand Ole Opry opened a few weeks ago, and now this.  So it’s just a HUGE message about Nashville being, I think, the place to visit, the place to come to and enjoy music.  We are just very thankful for all of that.

Gov. Bredesen:  With that, thank you all for being here.  This is important in the continuation of the process of the recover here from the floods.  I appreciate Garth and Trisha both for your interest in this.  The music community in Nashville REALLY has stepped forward in a major way as I think you all would acknowledge.  And I might close on a slightly light note by saying the music community has been wonderful, but I think I’ve never actually SEEN any of them at 8 o’clock in the morning. (Laughter and applause)

Additional photos of the press conf. are available at http://MomentsByMoser.zenfolio.com/garthbrookspressconf

Press Conf. by Bev Moser, for Digital Rodeo (transcribed by Tricia Depalo)

Garth Brooks Announcement – 10/28/10

For the first time since 1998, Garth Brooks is returning to Nashville to perform Friday, December 17^th, 7:00 PM at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, benefiting The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee in support of all those affected by the disastrous flooding this past Spring.

The announcement was made Thursday morning from the State Capitol Building, with the attendance and support of Governor Phil Bredesen, Senator Lamar Alexander, Senator Bob Corker, Congressman Jim Cooper, Congressman Marsha Blackburn, Mayor Karl Dean and Ellen Lehman, President of The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee.

Gov. Bredesen:  Good morning and thank you all for being here.  It was just 6 months ago now that communities across Tennessee were affected by the record rains and flooding that occurred that first weekend in May.  Since then, I have to tell you, that I have been very, very proud of the way that everyone has pitched in to help their neighbors to recover and rebuild. We all knew back then that it was going to be a long process that was going to require our continued commitment to making it happen.  Our internationally known music community has certainly stepped up and been a leading force in efforts to help recover, to help raise funds, to help some of the people who have fallen through the cracks of some of the other programs that are out there.  And to make us aware of the needs of those affected by the floods.  I remember thinking at the time that we had a flood and the cameras were all here but after a while they go away and the individuals whose homes were destroyed are still there to deal with each of these issues.  I’m glad to welcome this morning here Garth Brooks, Governor Phil Bredesen, Senator Lamar Alexander, Senator Bob Corker, Congressman Jim Cooper, Congressman Marsha Blackburn, Mayor Karl Dean and Ellen Lehman, President of The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee to the capital  for an important announcement that will demonstrate our continued effort to help our communities recover across Tennessee.  I’d also like to recognize Commissioner Matt Kinsber from our Department of Economic and Community Development and Commissioner Susan Whitaker from our Department of Tourism.  Today’s announcement reflects our state’s business and tourism industry so I’m glad to have you here today as well.

Now please join me in welcoming to the podium, Mr. Garth Brooks for an announcement. (Cheering and clapping from audience)

G. Brooks:  Good Morning, to you.  We are here today in conjunction with the great state of Tennessee to announce we would like to now step forward and try and do our part in the relief efforts.  We think it’s a great time around Christmas to announce that we’re going do one arena show this year in 2010, it will be here in Nashville and it will be for the flood relief victims.  We’re going to have a question and answer thing here later so I’m going to jump out of the way since that’s what everyone here is for. The support has been amazing!  This is one of those things that this really feels good to do.   J  So this is going to be a great day.  I’m looking forward to filling you guys in on all the details if you are interested.  Again, I cannot thank the state of Tennessee enough for the interest they have shown in this.  To be part of this relief effort is an honor to me this morning.

Gov. Bredesen:  Thank you very much.  You are a man of very few words. (Laughing)  But thank you very much for contributing your talents and time to help Tennessee through this recovery.  The music community in Tennessee has really been amazing in this process and this is a continuation of that process.  People around the world today look to Tennessee for the very best in music and today’s announcement shows that Tennessee also represents in that community, also, the very best of human spirit.  For our people and the willingness of everyone in our state to pitch in and do what is required to help people recover.  So thank you again, Garth, for helping lead this effort.  Rebuilding from a natural disaster like this one we experienced  takes time and money and I hope that in addition to raising additional flood relief funds, this concert reminds us of all the people who are still struggling to rebuild still need our help.  We will get into the details of this announcement shortly but first I’d like to ask the members of the Tennessee Congressional delegation to offer a few comments as well.  We have, as I said, Senator Alexander, Senator Corker, Representative Cooper and Representative Blackburn.  If I might begin with our senior Senator, Senator Lamar Alexander.

Sen. Alexander:  Thank you.  Thank you, Mayor Dean for doing such a great job this year.  Garth and Trisha, thank you.  It’s a big treat for Tennessee to know that the only arena show that you will do this year will be in Nashville so the benefits will go to the flood victims.  When I tell people in Washington how bad the flood was and how many counties it affected in TN, they are surprised.  In the last two months, 64,000 Tennesseans have received about a quarter of a million dollars from the Federal Government and from paper reports that there are still a number of people who are hurting and still haven’t even found a way to get help, so this is very welcome help.  One reason not as many people have heard about it around the country is that Tennesseans went out and about instead of looting and complaining.  Tennesseans were cleaning and helping each other and earning a lot of respect from around the state and this is one more example of Tennesseans and friends of Tennesseans helping one another.  We are deeply grateful to Garth and Trisha for this act of generosity.

Sen. Corker:  I want to second the great leadership the Governor and the Mayor have shown.  I just was telling them that this is the first 9 am press conference that we were actually excited about coming to. (Laughter)

You know I think it’s a privilege for almost everybody that serves in the in the United States Senate to do so, but I think it’s even more so to represent a state like TN.  Literally, the whole country watched as Tennesseans helped each other through this last crisis.  It’s an amazing thing to see, as well as you see other events take place around the country and sometimes there’s a different response and it makes you so proud to represent the great people of this state.  What I like about what Garth and Trisha are doing is that they knew on the front end that there would be a major rush, if you will, of regional resources in to help people of middle TN, but they knew at some point in time the focus would be off of that and people in some ways might move on.  What they are doing is continuing to aid in that effort.  As the Tennessean mentioned today; that a number of people have fallen through the cracks and they are insuring that those people who have fallen through the cracks receive help.  So Garth, let me just tell you that I’ve been around this country and there’s a lot of fear and anger right now throughout this state and what you’re doing today for me, and I’m sure for all of those who are gathered here, is like a balm, B A L M, of hope and warmth all of us here are indebted to both of you for bringing attention to TN and showing what we all do. Again, thank you very much.

Rep. Cooper:  On part with our great Governor, our Mayor and Congressional delegation we all know that no community can bounce back better than TN did after the flood but the recovery effort is still going on.  The newspaper reported that hundreds of families still need help.  I got a call just yesterday from a single mom that’s got four kids, her basement was flooded so she lost her washer and dryer, she lost all her kids winter clothes, and FEMA (Federal agencies) don’t help you if it’s just your basement.  It’s got to be living space so I am so thankful with the Christmas season coming up that SUPERSTARS like Garth and Trisha are coming forth to give us a Christmas we can all afford to and will help countless families.  So thank you, Garth and Trisha. 

Rep. Blackburn:  I think it’s helpful that each of us realizes the REASON that TN came through like we did with the flood.  It’s because of compassion, caring, talented people who stepped up to the plate and story after story of community after community in all 15 of my counties I represent, including Davidson county, the story was neighbor helping neighbor.  We’ve seen it time and again I’m certain there is a country song in there somewhere, Garth. (laughing)  And we thank you and Trisha for being part of those kind, caring, compassionate and talented people who are willing to say, “We are here to volunteer, we are here to help.”  So we thank you very much for that and we also thank the Governor and Mayor Dean for the leadership that they have shown as part of the Davidson country Congressional delegation in dealing with the communities and the individuals who are suffering from the impact of the this flood.  We thank you for the leadership and we thank you for the contributions that you are making to improve the quality of life for all Tennesseans.  Thank you again.

Gov. Bredesen: Thank you very much.  I do want to offer a personal note of thanks to our Congressional delegation for their help over the years and especially during this time. In the days and weeks that followed the flood our delegates made sure that TN received all the Federal assistance that was possible.  There were a lot of phone calls back and forth to work those things out.  They have remained focused on this issue over the past six months.  The people who represent the people of TN really do have an understanding that this problem; though the waters have receded, the problems have not gone away.  So let me again, my thanks to each of you for your continued support in this.  Immediately after the flood I praised the work of our local officials and first responders across the state for moving so quickly to save those that were stranded and to provide emergency assistance as needed.  I have often found that sometimes officials can get in the way of those first responders in the initial stages of emergency like this and I think all of us have heard that for the first 36 hours it’s best to kind of stay out of the way and let the experts do what they really do so well.  But I’ve also heard that it’s the strength of the local leaders that determines how well a community bounces back after those first responders get there and get the job done.  And I can tell you that under the leadership of Mayor Dean that Nashville did an outstanding and really wonderful job of responding to the emergency as it occurred and he’s continuing to lead the town admirable through the recovery.  During my time as Mayor of Nashville I dealt with a few natural disasters, but nothing as serious as Mayor Dean has encountered as this flood.  I know how difficult it can be and feel that experts on natural disasters in Nashville, but Mayor Dean I appreciate your leadership, you have truly done a wonderful job getting the city through a very difficult time.  It’s my pleasure to have Mayor Dean here today and I’d like to invite him to the podium too. 

Mayor Dean:  Thank you Governor for those kind words, it is an honor to be here with you this morning and to be with our delegation in Washington.  Again to thank them with your remarks for what they have done for TN and Nashville as support on a Federal level.  Let me just say very simply to Trisha and Garth, thank you very much.  This is VERY BIG deal and it means a lot to our city.  We knew before the flood that Nashville was a caring, giving community that believed in volunteerism and one of the things that was most moving to me in the days after the flood was to walk down the streets where the buildings and the homes were basically being “demucked” and all being prepared to be repaired and rebuilt with the rotten drywall and the rotten carpet and all the personal possessions that were destroyed in the flood and were removed and placed out into the street for the Public Works department to come and pick them up.  When you were walking down the streets and all over in Nashville; it happened North, South, East and West, you would see these piles and you’d stop and think who did all this work in the immediate days after the flood?  Well, it wasn’t your Federal government, it wasn’t the state government and wasn’t the local government, it was the people of Nashville.  Volunteers, it was people, churches helping their parishioners; it was businesses helping employees, strangers being helped by Nashville people, volunteers (19,000 from Hands on Nashville).  So the response to the flood, the story to me, is the citizens of our city.  And Garth and Trisha, what you are doing only builds on that.  One of the things we are trying to do in Nashville is with a program called “We Are Home” which is a housing fund, is to bridge the gap between the money that people can get from SBA, FEMA and their own insurance and what they need to get back into their own homes.  The Community Foundation funds have been a key support for this effort and so far we have paid out over $7 million in grants and low interest loans.  Most of these funds come from the Federal Community Development dollars, but much of it comes from the Community Foundation.  So the money that will come in from telethons and from concerts like the one coming up in December help run this fund and it continues to come at a time when it’s most needed.  If you stop and think, in December the city will be beautiful.  There will be a big Christmas tree here, there will be a Christmas tree downtown in front of the courthouse, the lights will be on, but there will still be people who need this.  People who won’t have adequate clothing, people who won’t have toys for their kids and this is a fantastic effort that will help address that.  So Garth and Trisha, thank you so much for what you are doing.  It really means a lot to the people of this city and I say this as mayor, on behalf of all the citizens of Nashville, thank you!

Ellen Lehman:  Hello, one of the things that we need to mention is the fact that the people who were affected by this disaster are by and large, people who have never before had to ask for help.  They are Tennesseans and they have always stood on their own two feet, they have always made it on their own.   They have educated their kids and they have always done everything right, everything they way we have asked them to do.  They are not people who are used to asking for help.  One of the things that we know about disasters is that they unfold in waves.  We can look 911, we can look at Katrina, we can look at the Oklahoma City bombings, whether they are man-made or whether they are natural disasters, and they unfold in waves.  These folks have again always stood on their own two feet and are now encountering challenges that we could not have anticipated in May and next May they will be encountering challenges that we couldn’t have anticipated today.  It is REALLY IMPORTANT that everyone understand that this is a process.  Rebuilding lives takes time.  Rebuilding homes takes time.  Rebuilding livelihood takes time.  Rebuilding memories can take time and rebuilding peoples’ mental health.  We are seeing many cases of Post -Traumatic Stress.  Lots of faces of people who could get through this when they were in emergency mode because the adrenaline was working, but now they realize that they are in a new world that their life is never going to be the same.  And for that reason alone, I am so honored to be here to thank you and to thank Garth for this incredible gift and to thank all these people who have gotten us where we are today.  Because while it’s very great to credit the volunteers, and this is the Volunteer State, we have shown it again, reality is without the leadership of these folks here to bring money in, to get FEMA on the ground quickly, to make the systems work so much better than they have across the country we wouldn’t be where we are now.  So thank you Commissioner, thank you Garth and thank you all.

Gov. Bredesen:  Thank you, Ellen, and thanks to you and the partnerships that Mayor Dean and you have formed with other agencies to provide assistance since the month of May.  As Ellen mentioned, the Community Foundation has really done a great job of managing the distribution of aid to people who were affected and I’m very glad they are part of this major effort.  You know, as government we have programs to deal with this; by the very nature of government there are a lot of rules around this program.  You can take care of a lot of issues through them, but the kind of flexibility that comes with what Garth and Trisha are doing and actually the Community Foundation, really lets you fill in an awful lot of the gaps that slip between the cracks in terms of the Government aid is a very human way of helping to deal with some of the problems that these have presented.  A couple weekends ago, I was in one of the big box home retailers and ran into a couple of people in there who were damaged by the flood and had gone through all of the available aid who were just every week coming over and picking up a couple sheets or more of drywall, things like that to continue the process of rebuilding their home.  These people deserve some help too and things like this concert are exactly what is going to make it possible.  Before I open it up to questions and ask Garth to come up here.  I’m sure questions are going to be for him and all of the questions are all available, I do want to make a point about how proud I am of our state and its citizens and how it’s responded during the flood and the weeks and months after the flood.  I take great pride in the fact of being Governor in a state where the citizens have so much compassion and so much sense of responsibility to their fellow citizens.  As much damage and destruction as was done to people’s properties and people’s lives these floods have definitely not broken the spirit of the state and in some ways have brought people together and have made us stronger as a state.  We are still a statewide community of people who truly care about each other.  I believe the floods showed the very best side of who we are in the state of Tennessee.  And with that I would like to open it up to any questions that the members of the press who are here may have and Garth, I ask that you come up here. Thank you. 

Questions, please.

Q1:  Can I ask, you have mentioned several times that it will be around Christmas, so I’m wondering if that is going to have any impact on the type of show that you and Trisha will be doing?

GB:  No, I mean, our job is to make it the best show we can, so the fact that it’s around Christmas is, a statement Miss Ellen made was, around the middle or end of May, she said, “Be careful, because disasters are only disasters until the next one comes along.”  But we want to make sure that we stay focused on this and we have for four or five months now; so we were getting everything ready.   If you come to Vegas you’ll see Garth Brooks and a guitar, but if you come to Nashville this Christmas you’re going to see the band that you know, see the light rig that you know, see the stage that you know, and hopefully see a show that we will try to be what could be the best Garth Brooks show. 

Yes, ma’am?

Q2:  Can you tell us exactly when you decided to do this show and why? 

GB: Yea, I think we decided to do this show the day that we saw the footage of the floods.  We are lucky enough to have a dual residency, so you’re talking to a guy that’s from here, but saw it from outside.  As doubly painful as it was to watch from outside, now you’re doubly proud to get to help. And I got tell you right off the bat we’re kind of, I can’t speak for Miss Yearwood, but I’m a little embarrassed this morning because I’ve already heard my name more times than it was meant to be heard.  This is about two citizens standing up as two citizens.  We’re following in the footsteps.  There were a lot before us that came out to do their thing and what we’re doing is trying to continue the example they have set and try to continue the example that the citizens of this state have set.  From outside looking in, you guys kind of got screwed.  The fact that there was something going on in the Gulf and the level of evidence was misunderstood by so many because the press was not here as much.  But I’ll put this along anything we’ve seen in our lifetime as far as tragedy.   It came from you guys that pulled you guys out of it; so the reason that we’re coming here today, the reason for such a big announcement is, yes we are now again going to ask TN to pull TN out of this, but I am making it this morning to all of our families from Ireland, Australia, Germany, all over the world.  In Vegas, people talk about a “bucket list”, if this is a “bucket list” for you, this is the time to do it.  Come here to Nashville, because our job is to show everyone that Nashville is not only up and running, it’s better than it’s ever been.  And I truly believe it and that’s why we are here this morning. 

Yes?

Q3: Will this be a show where you will have some special guests come in to Nashville or will it primarily be you and Trisha?

GB:  We can use all the help we can get. (Laughter)  As you get older, entertaining becomes tougher, you know?  So yea, we’re going to use all the help we can get and most just surprises so nobody is expecting something or paying for something or expecting someone they don’t get.  So yea, we’ll make that call now that the dates have been announced.  We will make that call to our fellow artists now.

Yes, sir?

Q4:  Can you describe what does Nashville mean to you? What does this area mean to you?

GB:  It’s what young people lay in their bed and dream of.  It’s crossing that bridge over the Mississippi and seeing that Nashville is 200 miles, but the truth is that it’s about 700 miles for most of us.  (Laughter from crowd)  Don’t ever drive, ha-ha.  That stretch has got to be the longest stretch in the world, but what Nashville means to me is the first time I ever found WSM.  First time, I remember Cathy Martindale’s  voice was on there and that’s where I was headed.  It’s funny because that’s where your heart had been for a while now you’re finally catching up and that’s what Nashville means to me.  I gotta tell you though it’s a different feeling, this right here is, because what we saw on TV would make you very proud!  You guys did this yourselves and you did.  And I think the government and I thank everyone for the help, hopefully I’ve done truthfully, this is on the backs of your own people and we today are lucky enough to be two more of those people that live here that just want to be part of the healing process. 

Yes, ma’am

Q5:  Can you tell us how fans can get tickets and the price range and all? 

GB: We are sitting here as everyone can imagine, you’re sitting here trying to raise money and you want to raise a lot but at the same time, look at the economic times that we are in.  And, you know, just so you measure these two together and we’ve decided that everything that is a blessing is a curse and everything that is a curse is also a blessing.  My curse is that I’m not very good at math so that’s going to be a blessing, because I figure $25 bucks makes it easy, four people for $100 bucks a family coming in.  Now here’s the great thing that I love and I’m very, very proud of…know that this is the only place that you can do this.  Can’t do it in LA, we did something for the wildfire victims out there.  And there’s no way we could make the announcement we’re about to make out there, but here its Tennesseans helping Tennesseans.  So the fact that I am not good at math, again, helps us in the fact that the way to figure out how much money is made is simply multiply the number of tickets sold by the ticket price.  And that’s the money we’re going to get here.  Everyone else has volunteered their services for free; so the building has been a dream to work with, Bill Ferrell  has been a dream to work with, so made all the calls out like to John McBride to Butler  to Strickland , these guys, they are all coming back and they’re all doing it for free!  And I can’t thank them enough.  Cause those are the names that should be repeated over and over instead of Ms. Yearwood and I. 

Yes, ma’am?

Q6:  We know that your fans are going to snap up the tickets in no time, are there plans for additional shows?  Or is it really a one night only?

GB:  Well, uh, you always do a one night only thing and then you gotta remember, this isn’t my money.  So if there is enough demand for two shows, will that not be taking half the money that this place deserves?  If there is enough demand for 20 shows, you’re still getting money if you don’t do that so that’s all I’m going to say.  For our people that know us, know that if you’re interested to come see us, we’re going to make it happen. 

Q7:  For the firefighter shows there was a television component, will there be one this time around?

GB: You know,  we haven’t explored it  on television yet for this.  That’s a good question.  What we really found last time was that the component was more in the individual ticket , so we will see.  Now that we are getting closer here, CBS was a wonderful partner, so that we’ll have to see.

Q8:  I was wondering if maybe we could hear from Trisha?  Put you on the spot for a comment or two? (audience applause)

Trisha Yearwood:  The only thing I could really add would be, you know that Garth and I did see this, you know I lived here for 15 years before I moved to Oklahoma, and to see it on television and see the devastation, to see places that I know well underwater  was really surreal.  And then to see community pitching in the way you did was amazing!  So for us, we have been to places like to New Orleans after Katrina, over two years later and see that things are still now and even now 5 years later STILL needing to be rebuilt.  It doesn’t go away and so I think the main focus for us to still be here when everybody’s gone back to whatever they are used to.  I am honored to be a part of this.  I mean, I think when things like this happen I’m pretty proud of myself, I think I’m on a level here and then I will embarrass my husband by saying this, but then we’re talking about it and I’ve got an idea and then he comes in with an idea (raising her hand level much higher).  (Giggles) and it’s like yea, so I’m excited because I think we have an opportunity to have a lot of fun and to raise some money for our state.  So I’m just glad to be a part of it. 

Q9:  Can I ask you a question Gov. Bredesen and probably Mayor Dean as well?  Talk about when you guys were approached by Garth and Trisha, what were the feelings? What were the discussions like?

Gov. Bredesen :  Look, I was VERY pleased when I was asked because I can’t emphasize enough the progress of the disaster is where everyone is focused for two or three or four weeks and then the reporters go home, the attention turns somewhere else and there still are hundreds of families out there who are struggling with things like he had described, so it’s both the money AND keeping attention on the fact that there are families out there that are still struggling.  And asking people to reach to them through their churches, maybe, in a way to put together help that is even outside of the money raised and goes through the Community Foundation, but just to keep re-reminding people that it’s going to take two or three years for some of these families to get back their feet back beneath them.  And anything that someone can do to keep people’s attention on this after the footage of the disaster goes away I think is really important.  So it’s both of those things for me.  Mayor, do you want to add to that?

Mayor Dean:  Well, the thing the Governor said about keeping people’s attention focused on people who still need help, we really as a government can’t rest until we have gotten everybody we could possibly can back into their homes and restore them as best we can to where they were before the flood.   But this is also wonderful in the sense that it sends an important message that we need to keep repeating that Nashville is open for business and that Nashville remains Music City.  It is THE place to come and hear the best music in the world and this message will be reinforced in the next couple weeks with Gaylord Opryland hotel will be reopening on Nov. 18^th, the Grand Ole Opry opened a few weeks ago, and now this.  So it’s just a HUGE message about Nashville being, I think, the place to visit, the place to come to and enjoy music.  We are just very thankful for all of that.

Gov. Bredesen:  With that, thank you all for being here.  This is important in the continuation of the process of the recover here from the floods.  I appreciate Garth and Trisha both for your interest in this.  The music community in Nashville REALLY has stepped forward in a major way as I think you all would acknowledge.  And I might close on a slightly light note by saying the music community has been wonderful, but I think I’ve never actually SEEN any of them at 8 o’clock in the morning. (Laughter and applause)

Additional photos of the press conf. are available at http://MomentsByMoser.zenfolio.com/garthbrookspressconf

Press Conf. by Bev Moser, for Digital Rodeo (transcribed by Tricia Depalo)