Garth Brooks flying Fargo couple to concert in Philadelphia

Siri Freeh and Geoff Thaden. Special to The Forum

By Kim Hyatt

March 14, 2017 at 3:53 PM

FARGO-Country music star Garth Brooks isn't one for broken promises.

When gearing up for his Fargodome performances last year during an interview with local radio host Siri Freeh, 27, the musician made a once-in-a-lifetime offer after she admitted her wedding was the following weekend so she couldn't attend his concert.

"For your wedding present, you tell me after you're married where you guys want to go," Brooks said during the March interview. "I'll take care of the airfare, I'll take care of the hotel. You come see us in another city because we're going to miss you at this one."

Freeh said if Brooks would've been in Fargo her wedding weekend, she would've sent him an invite.

Instead, one year after that promise was made, Brooks is following through: Freeh and her husband Geoff Thaden, will be seeing him perform in Philadelphia Friday, March 24.

"Garth is really cool about doing stuff like that for his fans," Freeh told The Forum the day after sharing the exciting news with her listeners on the FROGGY 99.9 morning show.

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Just last month, Freeh said Brooks surprised a couple-who happened to be the 5 millionth fans on his world tour-with a $5,000 shopping spree and two cars. Despite his generous reputation, Freeh said she "didn't want to be one of those people to expect him to pay up on a promise."
But she got an email from one of Brooks' managers last month letting her know they didn't forget and asked her to pick an upcoming performance. As soon as she saw Philadelphia, her mind went straight to Carson Wentz and Philly cheesesteaks, and her wedding gift was a go.

Freeh, originally from Lake Park, Minn., has never been to Philadelphia so she's excited to see the city-not to mention experience the exclusive, all-expenses-paid vacation courtesy of the country music star.

"I'm just so thrilled," she said, adding that she is most excited to share the trip with listeners who will be able to relive his performance from here last May. Freeh said she will be sharing her experience on Facebook live for those that want to see if any more surprises are up Brooks' sleeve.

Brooks performances that spanned four days at the Fargodome last year drew more than 73,000 people. Previously he was here in 1998 and 1993.

050516.F.FF_.GARTHREVIEW.003.jpg — Garth Brooks performs Thursday, May 5, 2016, at the Fargodome. Dave Wallis / Forum News Service

By Kim Hyatt

Kim Hyatt is a reporter for The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead covering community issues and other topics. She previously worked for the Owatonna People's Press where she received the Minnesota Newspaper Association's Dave Pyle New Journalist Award in 2016. Later that year, she joined The Forum as a night reporter and is now part of the investigative team. She's a 2014 graduate of the University of Minnesota Duluth.

Garth Brooks flying Fargo couple to concert in Philadelphia

FARGO--Country music star Garth Brooks isn't one for broken promises. When gearing up for his Fargodome performances last year during an interview with local radio host Siri Freeh, 27, the musician made a once-in-a-lifetime offer after she admitt...