Las Vegas Weekly

December 11, 2009 · 5:03 PM

Beyonce to return to the Wynn alternating with Garth Brooks?

By Robin Leach

Garth Brooks.

Photo: Scott Harrison/Retna/www.harrisonphotos.com

It’s become one of the most anticipated events in country music history. Tonight, Garth Brooks takes to the stage to unveil his one-man acoustic show at Encore Theater in hotel mogul Steve Wynn’s casino resort.

The premiere is the first of 15 weekends a year for the next five years in a contract that Garth agreed to -- leaving retirement -- because he received a $15 million private jet as part of the deal. He certainly needs it this weekend to pull off his promise never to miss his three daughters’ sports events at home in Oklahoma.

Tonight after the first show, the 47-year-old superstar legend hops the plane to return home so he can attend soccer games tomorrow morning and afternoon, and then he’ll jet back here in time for two shows tomorrow night.

Amid the fervor comes a string of reports that Steve Wynn has inked a deal with superstar singer and actress Beyonce. One entertainment daily Web site said she would be paid $1 million a weekend for a run of shows similar to Garth’s on alternating weekends. Las Vegas gossip guru Norm Clarke went further and said it will be a run over 10 weekends a year, with $3 million for four shows.

However, Wynn officials have denied the reports. They say nothing has changed since I first exclusively reported on Nov. 2 that talks had begun between Beyonce’s manager father Matthew Knowles and Wynn to close a deal.

Here’s the official Wynn statement: “Wynn Las Vegas has not established an agreement with Beyonce for future engagements in the Encore Theater. While we look forward to the possibility of her return and are currently in preliminary discussions to explore this opportunity, there are no confirmed details at this time. When additional information becomes available, we will issue an updated communication.”

Photo: Courtesy

Beyonce.

Most Las Vegas insiders believe that the Beyonce rumors will prove true, but not immediately. First, the spotlight must shine this weekend and over New Year’s for Garth. The first 20 shows sold out in less than five hours. Garth says he’ll play guitar for about 90 minutes and, in addition to his own hits, will sing some of his favorites by such artists as Elton John and Simon & Garfunkel. His wife, country singer Trisha Yearwood, also could join him onstage on occasion.

It appears that Steve is sticking to a solo-act philosophy in booking out his theater for superstars. He told me: “There is nothing as wonderful as watching a single performer who could hypnotize an audience. I crave that . I miss that. When Elvis did it, you prayed it would never end. Garth has something I’ve never seen in any other star. He has a confidence, a personality and an ability to communicate verbally without singing. He frames a song and talks about it. He has a range like Sinatra. He can take a high C and make it as thin as a telephone wire.”

Steve confirmed that he purchased a $15 million Challenger 604 with a 4,000-mile flying range. “It’s two hours for him from Tulsa back here. Against the wind, 2 hours 15 minutes. He can leave his home at 7 p.m. and be here for an 8 p.m. show on roller skates with the time change in his favor.

Photo: Courtesy

Trisha Yearwood and Garth Brooks.

“I have a note on the plane. Every time he sings, the note gets smaller, so when he finishes the gig five years from now, the plane is all his. He owns it. I’ve bought him the plane, and he’s responsible for the crew and maintaining it.”

I’ll be chatting with Garth over the weekend, and I’ll watch his first show tomorrow. We’ll have the full report here at Vegas DeLuxe.

Robin Leach has been a journalist for more than 50 years and has spent the past decade giving readers the inside scoop on Las Vegas, the world’s premier platinum playground.

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Follow VDLX Editor Don Chareunsy on Twitter HERE.

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