Country singer Garth Brooks has become a grandfather for the first time, he acknowledged in a statement Friday.
August Anna Brooks, 19, gave birth to baby Karalynn and reportedly posted photos of her newborn (in a onesie reading "my mommy doesn't want your advice") on her Facebook page. The younger Brooks is a University of Oklahoma student, and the baby's father is her boyfriend, Chance Michael Russell.
As Us Weekly reported, the statement from the 51-year-old singer read, "Our family would first like to thank everyone for their warm wishes and sweet celebration of Baby K's arrival. Our children's lives have always been extremely private and they have been endlessly encouraged to be their own people. We have always wanted them to be individuals and NOT be known as 'someone's daughters.'"
He added, "I now ask that respect to please continue as this young family begins the greatest days of their lives."
August is the daughter of Garth and Sandy Mahl, his college sweetheart. They divorced in 2000 after being married for 14 years (and have two other daughters). Brooks has been married to fellow singer Trisha Yearwood since 2005.