Garth Brooks is Now a Grandpa!
Congratulations to Garth Brooks, who at age 51 is a first-time grandfather! The country icon's daughter August Brooks, who is the second of his three children, gave birth to a baby girl named Karalynn earlier this week.
Savvy sleuths uncovered the news on Friday via social media; however, the elder Brooks issued a statement requesting privacy for his 19-year-old daughter and the new arrival.
"Our family would first like to thank everyone for their warm wishes and sweet celebration of Baby K’s arrival," he said. "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.'"
"I have been amazed and grateful how the press has always respected this," he went on. "I now ask that respect to please continue as this young family begins the greatest days of their lives.”
August apparently is not married to the baby's father, but has been in a relationship with him for some time.
It's no surprise that the country superstar is ecstatic about the birth of his first grandbaby, as he's well-known for his family-oriented mindset. He put himself into semi-retirement more than a decade ago, vowing not to hit the road until his youngest daughter, Allie, graduated high school. He's since played a residency at the Wynn in Las Vegas, as well as several one-off shows (including a return to the Wynn this year for Memorial Day weekend and Fourth of July performances), but has assured fans that he still is committed to waiting for the empty nest before going full swing back into his career.
Allie is set to graduate in May 2014, and both Brooks and his wife, fellow country crooner Trisha Yearwood, have hinted that they may be interested in hitting the road together as a package deal or perhaps even recording an album of duets once Allie's off to college.
Brooks's daughters are from his first marriage to college sweetheart Sandy Mahl. He has been married to Yearwood since 2005.
