Pritchett’s jaw hit floor when invited to open for superstar in Saskatoon
There are things you dream of and there are things you have dreams about — and that’s why Aaron Pritchett is still shaking his head today.
“I literally have dreamt of that. I’m not kidding. I won the lottery yesterday,” he said in an interview.
By “that,” the B.C.-born country artist and CCMA winner means playing a Garth Brooks show.
Pritchett is on a radio tour to promote his upcoming album. On Thursday, radio station Big Dog in Regina had Garth Brooks on the air and host Mike McGuire got Pritchett to ask a question.
As a joke, Pritchett asked Brooks if he’d accept $50 to connect with Pritchett’s manager.
Brooks replied with a question of his own: “Hey Aaron, I’ve got a question for you. How would you like to come open the shows for us in Saskatoon?”
Captured on video by the radio station, Pritchett didn’t know what to say.
Brooks followed up with, “You play guitar and you’re comfortable in front of people? Why don’t you come and open for us in Saskatoon? It’ll be fun.”
Pritchett finally found some words: “I’m absolutely. … I’m freaking out right now.”
A day later and heading to Saskatoon for more radio visits, the feeling hadn’t worn off.
“I’ll probably still have this feeling telling this story 20 years from now. For him to ask me to be a part of his show is mind blowing. It truly is mind blowing.”
Brooks clearly said “shows” — plural — a day before tickets went on sale for the only show announced at that point. It was a slip that revealed what many suspected — another show would be added. But no one could have guessed that five shows would be added, making it six concerts over four days, from June 9 to 12.
Pritchett is already a star in Canada, known for his party anthem Hold My Beer, which dovetails nicely with Brooks’ Friends in Low Places.
He assumed Friday he’d only be at the first announced show, but details remain to be worked out.
“The reason I’m so excited about it, happy about it and blown away is the fact that I wasn’t looking for a break in my career. This is just a dream come true.
“An absolute, honest-to-God dream to even play one show with him.”
And talk about a score — Pritchett’s new album, The Score, comes out June 24.