Garth Brooks says he lip synced 2017 CMA Awards performance

Nov. 9 (UPI) -- Garth Brooks says he lip synced his performance at the 2017 Country Music Association Awards.

The 55-year-old country star explained why he made "a game-time call" to not sing "Ask Me How I Know" live following his appearance at the awards show Wednesday in Nashville, Tenn.

"We're in the middle of 12 shows in 10 days. Not 10 shows in 12 days, 12 shows in 10 days," Brooks told reporters backstage, according to Rolling Stone.

"We did a game-time call on whether to sing the track or lip-sync, and decided to lip-sync," he confessed. "The voice just isn't there anymore, and you want to represent country music as best you can."

Brooks confessed his ongoing world tour with wife and fellow singer Trisha Yearwood has left him tired. The couple kicked off the venture in September 2014, and have performed hundreds of shows since.

"It's been 400 shows and we're all exhausted, but having the time of our lives," Brooks told E! News.

Brooks was honored at the CMA Awards with Entertainer of the Year for the sixth time and second consecutive year. He posted a photo of himself leaving the event with his award and Yearwood's high heels.

"This is what we call a winning night! I get to carry the Queen's shoes and take home EOTY! love, g #CMAawards," the star tweeted.