DARLINGTON - A Darlington mother got a special early Mother's Day musical tribute when country singer Garth Brooks gave a surprise concert outside her home in rural Darlington Friday morning.
Karen Garrison is a big fan of Brooks - so much so that she named a son Garth, 20, and a daughter Brook, 22, according to "Good Morning America" on ABC. She also has a son Markus, 24.
It was Brook who nominated her mom for the "Garth Brooks Mother's Day Surprise" contest on "GMA."
"She was always my backbone. She was always my best friend. She was always there to support me," she told the morning show.
Before the surprise concert, Brook told her mom why she was nominated for the Garth Brooks contest, "GMA" reported.
"I love you and you're my best friend, and I just want you to know how much we love you because I feel like you don't believe us sometimes. You don't believe what a great mom you are," Brook said.
A few people in Darlington knew beforehand that Garrison was in for the surprise visit but kept the secret under wraps.
The principal at Darlington High School sent a "very vague" email to students and staff Monday about shooting a commercial, according to Arnie Miehe, physical education teacher and Darlington Redbird Cross Country head coach. In the email, students and staff were told what colors to wear, where to be and what time to be there for the Friday morning gig.
Then on Tuesday evening, Miehe was asked to give an interview in Mineral Point about Karen as a mother. He said he found it peculiar when they put make up and a microphone on him. After the interview, he was told that the information would be used on "GMA" and was filled in about the contest, but was asked to keep it a secret.
Miehe said Karen's husband, Mark, contacted the neighbors to let them know what was going on.
Students and staff who could attend met at the Garrison home at about 5:30 a.m. and hid in the shed for about an hour and 20 minutes. Karen was shown the interview tape from Miehe and then taken outside to see everyone outside. Then her idol came around the corner and put his arms around her. He sang his song "Mom" for her.
"She just about dropped down on the spot. It was really incredible," Miehe said. "She said that all she wanted for Mother's Day was mulch for her flowers."
Brooks spontaneously invited Garrison and her entire family to fly with him on his plane to Omaha, Nebraska, to watch his concert tonight, "GMA" reported.
"He is unbelievably genuine and a real down-to-earth person," Miehe said of Brooks. "For small town America, it was quite an event."
Karen Garrison is a big fan of Brooks - so much so that she named a son Garth, 20, and a daughter Brook, 22, according to "Good Morning America" on ABC. She also has a son Markus, 24.
It was Brook who nominated her mom for the "Garth Brooks Mother's Day Surprise" contest on "GMA."
"She was always my backbone. She was always my best friend. She was always there to support me," she told the morning show.
Before the surprise concert, Brook told her mom why she was nominated for the Garth Brooks contest, "GMA" reported.
"I love you and you're my best friend, and I just want you to know how much we love you because I feel like you don't believe us sometimes. You don't believe what a great mom you are," Brook said.
A few people in Darlington knew beforehand that Garrison was in for the surprise visit but kept the secret under wraps.
The principal at Darlington High School sent a "very vague" email to students and staff Monday about shooting a commercial, according to Arnie Miehe, physical education teacher and Darlington Redbird Cross Country head coach. In the email, students and staff were told what colors to wear, where to be and what time to be there for the Friday morning gig.
Then on Tuesday evening, Miehe was asked to give an interview in Mineral Point about Karen as a mother. He said he found it peculiar when they put make up and a microphone on him. After the interview, he was told that the information would be used on "GMA" and was filled in about the contest, but was asked to keep it a secret.
Miehe said Karen's husband, Mark, contacted the neighbors to let them know what was going on.
Students and staff who could attend met at the Garrison home at about 5:30 a.m. and hid in the shed for about an hour and 20 minutes. Karen was shown the interview tape from Miehe and then taken outside to see everyone outside. Then her idol came around the corner and put his arms around her. He sang his song "Mom" for her.
"She just about dropped down on the spot. It was really incredible," Miehe said. "She said that all she wanted for Mother's Day was mulch for her flowers."
Brooks spontaneously invited Garrison and her entire family to fly with him on his plane to Omaha, Nebraska, to watch his concert tonight, "GMA" reported.
"He is unbelievably genuine and a real down-to-earth person," Miehe said of Brooks. "For small town America, it was quite an event."