Opening Act To Be Announced Tuesday

Country superstar Garth Brooks was in Tulsa Monday to announce he along with other local dignitaries will be a part of the BOK Center opening ceremonies on August 30th.

Monday, July 7th 2008, 10:03 am

By: News On 6

Tulsans are anxiously waiting to hear what act will open the new BOK Center in September. On Tuesday, city dignitaries announced some opening events leading up to the headline concert. But, you'll have to wait until tomorrow for the official word on the grand opening concert. News On 6 anchor Jennifer Loren reports the one thing we do know: it won't be Garth.

You could call it Mayor Kathy Taylor's unanswered prayer: Garth Brooks made a surprise appearance at the news conference to announce he will not be the opening act of Tulsa's new BOK Center.

"I must say if there is a bad guy in this situation you're looking at him. She has tried everything in the world to get it done. She has been very sweet and it's been very flattering," said Garth Brooks.

Brooks says he will play the BOK Center someday, but he wants it to be less about him and more about others.

"If we do do something at the BOK, it will be something extremely amazing, cool, fun and it will probably end up helping children all around the world. That is a possibility but that is a long, long ways away," said Garth Brooks.

Brooks says he will be at the ribbon cutting ceremony in August, but when it comes to opening night, he's keeping Tulsa's biggest secret.

"And I can't tell you the opening because you're going to announce that tomorrow, right? Yeah. Yeah. That would be good," said Garth Brooks.

But, is it Tulsa's biggest secret?

Bloggers are speculating online. They say the opening act will be Eric Clapton or could it be The Rolling Stones. Some bloggers say the most likely choice is The Eagles.

With more than a dozen major performances already lined up at the BOK Center: Celine Dion, Carrie Underwood, Rascal Flats and Kenney Chesney; the opening act will no doubt be a class act.

Some other grand opening events are also taking place at the BOK Center prior to the opening show.

There will be a super-flush on July 29th. More than 350 kids will flush the arena's toilets all at once to test the plumbing.

On August 25^th, there will be a traditional Indian blessing. The ribbon cutting and community open house will be on August 30th.

And, a multi-faith celebration featuring hundreds of community choir members will give a free concert on August 31st.

7/6/2008 BOK Center To Announce First Performance