On Thursday night, the crowd on the second floor of Tootsie's Orchid Lounge watching Andy Gibbons perform were in for a huge surprise. After Gibbons started a cover of Garth Brooks's song "That Summer," the man himself walked on stage to join him on the track.
Country music fans in the audience were left with their jaws dropped in a feverish joy that only Brooks can bring. KRN-TV Nashville posted a clip of the performance to Facebook, noting that Brooks stuck around for a couple of more tunes. Jasmine Rae captured a couple of fantastic clips of the impromptu performance for Instagram. As a local musician who performed that night, she found the surprise jam particularly inspiring.
Located on Broadway behind the Ryman Auditorium, Tootsie's Orchid Lounge has fostered the careers of country stars like Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson and Faron Young since 1960. Catching a legend like Brooks play this Tennessee honky tonk is incredibly special to those who know the history inside the historic orchid facade that was supposedly painted such a vibrant color by accident.
The night was thrilling for Andy Gibbons who posted the news clip to Facebook in the early morning, "I stayed up until the 6 a.m. news after my show tonight at Tootsies because someone you may know sang with me, Tyler Powers, Erik Thieling, Greg Thiel, Jasmine Rae, and Robert Leonard. Thank you Garth Brooks!!! You are an amazing guy!!!"
One can only imagine how mind-blowing it was to share the stage with Brooks who seemed equally as excited to perform alongside Gibbons. No matter how big the stage is, Brooks knows exactly how to electrify a crowd.
