Garth Brooks' comeback tour is sweeping the nation, and the country music legend set his sights on Studio 1A this morning.
Brooks is taking over all four hours of TODAY this morning, doing interviews, answering your questions and performing new songs as well as classics.
In September, Brooks, 52, released "Man Against Machine," his first studio album in 13 years. The reason for the long break: he wanted to spend more time with his kids. But now, with his youngest off to college, he decided it was time to get back to work.
Always the wordsmith, Brooks told TODAY that being a dad was, and remains, "the greatest gig on the planet."
Brooks' first stop in Studio 1A was the Orange Room, where he fielded questions from viewers. He was asked if he'd ever consider making an acoustic album, and whether there are any albums he can't get enough of.
"George Strait's 'Strait Country' was fantastic. I think I've worn it out," Brooks responded. "I bought it on 8-track cassette, album and CD." He also cited James Taylor's "New Moon Shine" among his favorite albums.
And as for making that acoustic album?
"If I could play acoustic worth a damn, I would," Brooks joked. "I use it to hide my gut, that's the main reason why I have a guitar."
Later Brooks performed his poignant new single, "Mom," surrounded by TODAY staffers and their mothers. There did not appear to be a dry eye in the house.
TODAY viewers said they were misty-eyed at home as well, tweeting about Brooks' moving song.
Brooks' takeover extended into the show's third hour when he sat down with Natalie, Tamron and Al to discuss his time off and what it meant to be a dad.
Later on, Brooks took up residency on the Fourth Hour, co-hosting with Hoda. And he fit right in.
Brooks discussed his time off and shared his concerns about jumping back into the music scene after such a long hiatus.
While Brooks may be a country legend, he was bested by Hoda when the two went head-to-head in a country music quiz (but we have a feeling Brooks may have let her win).
And Brooks wrapped things up like only he could: leading the staff in a singalong of his mega hit, "Friends in Low Places."