'It's like coming home': Garth Brooks wears Hogs baseball jersey Friday in Fayetteville

The country's top-selling country solo crooner is about to become the first star to sing at an independent show at the Razorback Stadium.

It's Garth Brooks' only show in Arkansas or Oklahoma this year.

UA men's basketball coach Eric Musselman has offered up a Hogs jersey. Meanwhile, more than 80,000 people are expected. Hotels have filled in the northwest Arkansas region and into the River Valley.

Brooks is on his 2022 stadium tour.

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Previously: Garth Brooks to perform in Fayetteville at Razorback Stadium for first time

Brooks met with reporters Friday afternoon to answer questions.

The show is the first time an independent promoter has filled the field and stadium seats for a concert at Donald W. Reynolds Stadium, according to the University of Arkansas website.

Brooks described performing in Fayetteville as coming home. His mother is from Arkansas, and he grew up in Oklahoma.

“I feel very lucky to get to be here," Brooks said.

The last time he performed in Arkansas was seven years ago. He has performed in Little Rock, Texarkana, Jonesboro and Fort Smith.

“Any chance you get to play in Arkansas, like I said, it’s like coming home," Brooks said.

During the meeting with the media, area reporters taught Brooks how to call the hogs.

Brooks also talked about music's ability to bring people together.

“Our nation, our people are more separated and divided than they ever have been, and it’s not a good thing," he said. "But you come here and you’ll watch tonight, people will buy tickets, and there will be some of them that bought a ticket to this thing that have no idea that probably could not get along in a room if they started talking about anything but friends in low places, right? So for me, music is the voice of hope. It’s the voice of healing, and it’s the important stuff, right?"

When people enjoy music together, all the things that divide them go away, Brooks said.

“I think all the petty stuff is below music, and I think music gets to fly up here, and when people get in that stratosphere, they don’t care if you’re Black or white, gay or straight. We’re all just singing the same song together."

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Brooks said growing up he listened to everything from Aretha Franklin to Dolly Parton to Queen to James Taylor.

He said his favorite song to perform is "Callin' Baton Rouge" because it always amps up the crowd.

In Fayetteville, at least 10 hotels are sold out for tomorrow.

For tomorrow's weather, concert-goers should be wary of the 80% chance of rain. Temperatures will stay in the lower 60s and winds will be at 15 to 20 miles per hour, said Pete Snyder, a meteorologist for the National Weather Service in Tulsa.

At the concert, stadium gates will open at 5 p.m. Fans should know that they are not allowed to leave and re-enter the stadium. The stadium also enforces a clear-bag policy.

Alex Gladden is a University of Arkansas graduate. She previously reported for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette and The Jonesboro Sun before joining the Times Record. She can be contacted at agladden@swtimes.com.

This article originally appeared on Fort Smith Times Record: Garth Brooks to play at Razorback Stadium Saturday night