Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe NASHVILLE, Nov. 15 (UPI) -- As long as Garth Brooks has ruled the music world, he has been known for brilliant marketing strategies, excellent music and first-of-its kind events. Brooks continues his reign with the release on Nov. 13 of "Scarecrow," his newest Capitol album. "It's right here for me," Brooks said recently from Capitol Nashville's offices, as he touched his heart, referring to the music on his new project. Advertisement Fans who have waited since November 1997 for new Brooks country music will get their fill from "Scarecrow." The collection is a mix of ballads ("The Storm"), love songs ("Why Ain't I Running," "Wrapped Up In You"), bluegrass ("Don't Cross The River") and duets ("Squeeze Me In" and "Beer Run"). Brooks calls on pal Trisha Yearwood for a duet and frequent background vocals. New friend George Jones shares duet credit for "Beer Run," the single that the two performed live on Nov. 7 on the CMA Awards. Brooks admits many of the songs are intensely personal, including "When You Come Back To Me Again," a song inspired by the death of his mother, "The Storm," about the dissolution of a relationship (Brooks and his wife have divorced in the past year), "Pushin' Up Daisies," and "Thicker Than Blood," a song taken from a phrase he often heard as a child. Advertisement "We were told 'love is thicker than blood' when we were kids," Brooks said. "We weren't allowed to use the terms half-brother or half-sister, we were all brothers and sisters. It's very healing." For Brooks' part, he is pleased with the outcome of the project. "I feel better after I've heard them than when I started," he said, "and that's nice." With the release of "Scarecrow," which is named for the character from "The Wizard of Oz" who longed for a brain, Brooks has set a marketing and media blitz in motion. He appeared on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" on Nov. 12, where he performed "Wrapped Up In You," the first single from the album. On Nov. 13, the day the album was released, Brooks had a global listening party on America Online, his new internet partner, as well as an album premiere special on country radio stations across the nation. One year ago, Brooks made a highly publicized statement that he would cease touring in favor of spending time with his young daughters in Oklahoma. Standing by his word, Brooks has eschewed touring to support "Scarecrow." Rather that take his show on the road, he is, instead, going to more homes than touring would make possible, through television. Advertisement On Nov. 14, Brooks starred in the first of three "Garth Brooks: Coast to Coast Live" television concert specials on CBS from the Los Angeles Forum. The next live concert special will air Nov. 21 on CBS from the USS Enterprise aircraft carrier, which is in Norfolk, Va. Brooks' father, a Marine, served onboard the Enterprise at one time. The third special will air on CBS on Nov. 28 from South Padre Island, Texas.
