35-year-old Chad Singleton is still on cloud nine after attending a Garth Brooks concert on Friday (July 29). Brooks has been traveling since 2014 on his monumental World Tour, shattering ticket sales records in many of the places he stops. His energetic shows have thrilled so many fans that he was awarded the ACCA’s Touring Artist of the Year Award in 2016.
But perhaps no fan has left one of Brooks’ concerts feeling more elated than Singleton, whose wildest dream came true the night he went to see Brooks perform in Bossier City, Louisiana.
Singleton has been a longtime fan of Brooks, and it was his greatest dream to be able to meet the iconic country star. That dream was finally able to come true thanks to a family friend and of course, Brooks himself.
Ricky Dearmon, a friend of Singleton’s family, was the first to reach out to see if Singleton’s dream could become reality. Since Singleton has Down syndrome, Dearmon contacted the non-profit Gifts from the Heart for Downs, an organization which helps fulfill wishes of people with Down syndrome. After a year, Dearmon received word that Singleton’s wish had been granted by the organization.
The organization made it possible for Singleton, his parents, and Dearmon to stay in a hotel for two nights, paid for two dinners for the group, and arranged for a limo to take them to the concert.
Before the concert, Singleton and the rest of his group had the chance to meet with Brooks and his wife, fellow country star Trisha Yearwood. The meeting was about 20 minutes long, and Dearmon said talking to Brooks and Yearwood was like “talking to your new neighbors that just moved in.“
Singleton was in awe of Brooks and Yearwood, but he was completely over the moon after Brooks took off his black cowboy hat and gave it to him to keep.
As Singleton watched the concert, he could be seen from the front wearing Brooks’ cowboy hat and waving it in the air at times. Brooks continued to recognize Singleton throughout the concert, often motioning toward him and addressing him. At the end of the concert, Brooks performed Singleton’s favorite song, “Standing Outside the Fire,” and looked specifically for him as he did so.
Once he found Singleton, Brooks exclaimed “I was lookin’ for ya!“
To top off the already amazing night, once Brooks finished the song he took off his guitar and gave it to Singleton, much to his delight. The moment that Brooks handed Singleton his guitar was captured by a fan at the concert. You can check out the heartwarming moment below, just skip to the 2:40 mark to see when Brooks starts singing “Stanidng Outside the Fire.”
This is yet another one of the many reason why we love Brooks! He truly cares about his fans, and it shows!
