Garth Brooks: Entertainment Icon

What’s the best way to get over not being named CMA Entertainer of the Year? Being christened an “icon” by someone who knows a thing or two about the subject.

A day after losing out on the CMA’s highest honor, Garth Brooks was in San Diego enjoying a not-so-shabby consolation prize: being feted by Nancy O’Dell. The longtime Entertainment Tonight anchor was a surprise guest on opening night of the singer’s six-show local stand, appearing onstage to present the singer with the program’s Entertainment Icon award. Afterward, Brooks jokingly told his band that as an officially recognized icon, they’d have to start treating him better.

The group did its part, impressively backing the country singer/guitarist through an energetic performance. Brooks alternated nimbly between heartfelt ballads — including a couple of duets with his wife, Trisha Yearwood — and high-tempo songs that saw the 53-year-old singer sprinting around the stage for much of his two-hour set.

Despite having released a new album last year, the singer kept his set heavy on older hits, leading arena-wide sing-alongs on familiar songs, such as “Unanswered Prayers” and “Friends In Low Places.” Brooks may not be the CMA’s entertainer of the year, but for the enthusiastic San Diegans who welcomed him back to town after 19 years, he was the entertainer — and icon — of the night.

• Concert: Garth Brooks
• Date: November 5
• Venue: Valley View Casino Center
• Seats: Terrace