WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Garth Brooks donated a smashed guitar to the
Smithsonian Institution on Tuesday, but the country-music superstar
turned into a wide-eyed tourist when he saw the company he would be
keeping.
Wearing his signature black cowboy hat, the singer eyed a pink
outfit worn by Patsy Cline and Judy Garlands ruby red slippers from
"The Wizard of Oz" before signing over his patched-up guitar, a
Stetson hat and a gold record to the Smithsonians Museum of American
History.
"I always thought that when this happened youd feel like Elvis, and
I dont," said Brooks, who has largely retired from performing. "Its
funny being the person thats in here, because never, ever do you
think you can measure up to the people who are already in here."
Brooks has sold 123 million albums over the course of his career,
making him the top-selling solo artist in U.S. history. Only the
Beatles have sold more albums.
His catchy singles like "Friends in Low Places" and high-energy,
rock-style shows propelled country music to the mainstream during the
1990s.
Brooks donated memorabilia include a stage outfit and hand-written
lyrics to "The Beaches of Cheyenne," but it is his Takamine guitar
that is likely to attract the most interest.
The guitar became a touchstone of his career when it was smashed at
a 1991 Dallas concert that was taped for television. It has since
been reassembled, minus several pieces that have been auctioned off
for charity.
The items will go on display in January at the Smithsonians
"Treasures of American History" exhibit, which is housed at the Air
and Space Museum while the American History Museum undergoes
renovation.
Other items in the exhibit include Irving Berlins piano, Louis
Armstrongs coronet and Thomas Edisons lightbulb.
(Editing by Cynthia Osterman)
