Garth Brooks to Play Free Concert in Austin at SXSW 2017

Garth Brooks is giving the fans what they want at SXSW 2017 in Austin, Texas. Not only will the country music legend be a keynote speaker at the annual convergence of all things interactive media, music and film, Brooks announced on Friday (March 17) that he'll be performing a free concert during the event as well.

On Friday afternoon, Brooks will join Amazon Music Vice President Steve Boom for an hour-long conversation about their exclusive streaming relationship and the changing face of music services. Then, one day later, on Saturday (March 18), the singer will follow up his SXSW speaking engagement with an evening of live music, free to SXSW 2017 attendees and Austin residents.

Brooks' free SXSW 2017 show, presented by Amazon Music, will take place at the SXSW Outdoor Stage at Lady Bird Lake in Austin; he'll take the stage at 8PM, but gates for the concert will open at 11AM, with Texas native Sunny Sweeney, Nicole Atkins, Holly Macve, Shannon McNally, Cale Tyson and Colter Wall opening. Austin-area residents are eligible to obtain free tickets beginning at 12PM CT on Friday, and SXSW 2017 registrants will also be able to attend. The SXSW website has full details.

While this show certainly isn't first Brooks' first rodeo when it comes to performing onstage (his ongoing World Tour, anyone?), the country singer also has some experience with public speaking. In February, Brooks spoke at the 2017 Country Radio Seminar in Nashville, giving attendees a peek behind the curtain of his decades-long career and vibrant personal life.

On Friday morning, Brooks announced his new single, "Ask Me How I Know;" the song is off of his most recent studio album, Gunslinger.

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