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Garth Brooks cancels five shows citing 'new wave' of COVID-19

Garth Brooks canceled five upcoming concerts on his live stadium tour citing a "new wave" of COVID-19 cases throughout the country. File Photo by Pat Benic/UPI
Garth Brooks canceled five upcoming concerts on his live stadium tour citing a "new wave" of COVID-19 cases throughout the country. File Photo by Pat Benic/UPI | License Photo

Aug. 18 (UPI) -- Country music star Garth Brooks on Wednesday canceled five upcoming dates on his live tour citing the "new wave" of COVID-19 cases throughout the country.

In a statement, Brooks announced the shows scheduled at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati on Sept. 18; Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C., on Sept. 25; M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore on Oct. 2, Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass., on Oct. 9 and Nissan Stadium in Nashville, which had not received a new date, have been canceled.

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Brooks began the tour in July and played shows in five cities before COVID-19 cases began to spike throughout the nation, prompting the cancellations.

"In July, I sincerely thought the pandemic was falling behind us. Now, watching this new wave, I realize we are still in the fight and I must do my part," Brooks said.

"So, it is with a heavy heart we announce the decision to cancel all five shows but with a hopeful heart, we will reschedule and start over when this wave seems to be behind us."

The statement said that full refunds will be automatically made through Ticketmaster for the 350,000 ticket holders affected by the cancellations.

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A representative for the tour added the team will continue to monitor the impact of the virus and how other entertainment entities such as sports are handled with Brooks saying he is "sincerely hoping we are back on tour before the year's end."

In February, Brooks' wife and fellow country music star, Trisha Yearwood, contracted COVID-19, leading the couple to quarantine.

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