In writing the first two columns, I have been very pleased to have recieved many letters. I have gotten letters of support, kindness, and stories of hope and faith. Many have reduced me to tears and many have had me laughing out of my chair. All in all, they have touched my heart in a special way.

I did recieve one very thought provoking letter after the first column. I had written about Garth...Superman or Man? One of the statements I continued to make in that column was that we needed to give back to Garth what he has given to us. Someone wrote me and asked me just how I proposed we do that. I have some very definite ideas on that and would like this column to be a sharing of those with you.

First, I think we should all "support" Garth fully in whatever he endeavors to do. By support I mean many things. For instance,the should have been release of "SEVENS" in August to coincide with the Central Park Blow-Out. After recieving little or no support from his label in the past promotions of his CD's, Garth decided to hold "SEVENS" until a decision could be agreed upon about marketing the product. We all know, that the Central Park Show would have been a wonderful kick off for such a CD. But, Garth decided to instead hold the product and wait for what he both wanted, needed, and deserved from his label.

NONE of us were thrilled at the prospect of no "SEVENS" after its much anticipated arrival. But, instead of complaining what we should have been doing is writing letters of support to Garth and complaints to Capitol. I am sure that the person who wanted us to have "SEVENS" the worse was Garth. No matter how much we wanted to hear new music...he'd already heard it...he knew what it could be...he knew how bad WE wanted it. But, he had to do what his heart told him to do. He knew how hungry we were for the new songs...he saw our response when he played something new in concert. But, he chose to wait for the betterment of the music.

I sit back and heard many complain. He was throwing his power as a top seller for Capitol around. He was holding the product merely for marketing purposes. Instead, we should have all been thinking about the music. The heart and soul that went into each song. The strategy it took to put it all together and make it work. This was a prime opportunity to give back what we have been given. Wait patiently, support his decision, applaud his determination to wait for the music to be taken care of in the way it deserved to be.

I'm not going to say I've enjoyed waiting on "SEVENS". I wanted it just as badly as you all did back in August. Thing is, my heart told me that Garth needed the time. I followed my heart and gave that support where it was needed. My payoff? In just a few short weeks, we will have our "SEVENS" and we will have a very satisfied Garth. So many commented on how relieved he seemed to be when he was able to annouce its release at a recent show. This is where our support shines through and means so much to him.

Another way to support Garth is plainly and simply to call radio and request his music. There is so much competition today in country radio. The radio stations do listen to the public. WE are their bread and butter and our requests do get attention. These song requests also help the CD's as they begin their chart climbs. If you hear a new song, call and request it. If your station does not have it yet or is not playing it, demand they get it and get it on the air!

Support can be shown in record sales. How many copies of "Garth Brooks" or "No Fences" have your bought? I know, I have already gone through many. When "Fresh Horses" came out, I bought a CD and a cassette. When friends have birthdays or for Christmas. I give the gift of Garth. When "The Hits" was released, I bought copies for me to listen to, copies for me to keep as momentos of the first years of a man who has shaped my musical beliefs. I bought copies for my little girls to have when they get older. I wanted them to have the same memories of this time that I have had.

Sales have not done what Garth has wanted them to do with the last few CD's. But, we as fans, can make this happen for him again. WE can give him another 11 million sale CD with "SEVENS." Granted, Garth has set a very high standard for himself. Granted, the label, in my opinion, has set an even higher one. I believe they expected every release to be a "No Fences." When that did not happen, they supported him less and less. I think Garth has pushed himself to make each release the best one, the one to end all sales records. I think we can make it happen. If we are willing to show our support in this way.

We can also support Garth by doing just what so many of us have done since March 96 when the tour started in Atlanta, Georgia. We can show up, we can buy tickets by record number, we can break attendance records for each and every venue he plays. We can show up, we can provide that energy that both he and we seem to thrive on. We can make ourselves a part of the show. We can give him and Stillwater the encouragement they need to keep playing night after night, town after town.

Support in one area is ticket scalping. If it means the only way you can get a seat to see Garth is through a scalper, PLEASE reconsider. Garth does not support this at all. He does not want any of us paying out money we could be using for other purposes to see his show. There are many ways around buying from a scalper. The tickets ARE there...you may have to dig extra hard...you may not get the seat of a lifetime...you may have to ask a million people before you find someone with an extra set of tickets...you may have to go to the venue and stand outside and look for tickets. So, what are you waiting for? Go! But, do not support a scalper. Instead, support the one who is trying to get the music to us. Support his decision to keep the prices low. Support his decision to play multiple nights. Support his decision to NOT have you buying from a scalper.

Support can take on many various forms. Garth has letters sent to "The Believer". It is a quarterly magazine featuring Garth. Those letters he recieves are bound to be a huge amount of encouragment to him to keep bringing us the music. The stories he reads of the ways the music has affected someone's life, the moments he reads of where just his look or his smile made someone's day, that is support of the best kind. Keep those letters coming to him. He may not be able to read each and every one. He certainly does not have the time to answer each and every one. But, they are there...held for him for safe keeping for that day when he puts the music aside.

Those letters will one day offer a great amount of comfort to him. They hold many thoughts of cherished memories. They hold words of love, care, and kindness. They hold compliments of the music that has molded and changed many lives. They hold thoughts of how one night in a crowded arena...someone was able to break down a wall....and let their emotions go. They hold wishes for good things and great blessings. They hold descriptions of laughter that was brought to a face that had only felt pain. They hold truths of how the music and a smile has made a difference.

These are just a few of the ways I know of that we can give back to Garth what he has given to us. One other that comes to mind, is support of his wife, Sandy. She is the one who gives him the ultimate support. She is there for him,in good times and in bad. She sees the side of him none of us know about. She is there when he gets a cold...she is there when he has a bad day...she is there on the road...with their little girls..right by his side. She is and always has been the push Garth needs to keep going. She is the most positive part of his music. Without Sandy, I doubt any of us would see the Garth that we have come to know and love.

He is such a huge part of her and she of him. She is his soulmate in the deepest meaning of the word. She and Garth have shared moments that we can only begin to dream about. They live a life of riches but are two of the most down to earth people I've ever met. They both give so freely of themselves to us. She is the one who must truly offers the biggest sacrifices. In my opionion, she is a lady to be reckoned with. She is a force...behind a man....who has the love of millions yet she is the one who owns his heart. Without her by his side, Garth would not be the man he is today...the man we all have come to love.

When the time comes for Garth, Sandy, Taylor, August Anna, and Allie to take the music home for the last time, the support should not end there. We as fans, can still be there for them. Remembering the music, giving them their family time but still having time of memories for us.

Someday, the music will end. The touring will be over. The stage will be took apart. The studio will not be open. The buses will be parked for the last time. The stage clothes will be traded in for work boots and tee shirts. The constant demands will come less and less. The phone will not ring as often.

When that sad day comes, we can still be here...showing our support. Offering our thoughts...giving back pieces of the memories and times we've shared. We can only give back what our hearts will allow us to do. I know that this heart of mine is very full. I have a lot to give back. I have a huge debt to pay to a man called Garth Brooks. I will spend as many days as I can trying to do just that. I will give back fully as much as I can as often as I can in any way I can.

How do you give back what you have recieved? Very good question and one I've enjoyed thinking about and writing about. Just give back what your heart tells you to do.

The music has given so much....I think we each have it inside of us to give something special back.

Got a head full of memories and a heart full of Garth