Mary Duff Would ‘Love to’ Join Garth Brooks on Stage After Touring Together 30 Years Ago
Mary Duff, the beloved Irish country singer, has expressed her enthusiasm for the possibility of reuniting with Garth Brooks on stage when the American icon returns to Ireland. Duff, who has long been a favorite of Irish country music fans, fondly recalls touring with Brooks in the early 1990s, and she says she’d “absolutely love to” share the stage with him once again when he performs in Croke Park.
“I’d love to be on the bill with him,” Duff shared, reflecting on the memories of touring with Brooks decades ago. “It’s unreal how big a star he has become since, and naturally, I’d love to team up with him again. With everything the entertainment industry and the country has gone through in the past year, this could be the tonic that will lift the spirit of the nation.” Duff, who is known for her collaborations with Daniel O’Donnell and her own solo career, believes that Brooks’ return to Ireland after the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic would provide a much-needed boost to the country’s music scene.
Though there’s been no official announcement of Brooks’ plans to return to Ireland, the country music legend is expected to announce a string of concerts at Croke Park in 2024, marking his long-awaited return since the “five in a row” controversy seven years ago, which forced him to cancel all of his Irish gigs.
Mary Duff first met Garth Brooks in 1991 when her management secured her a spot on the UK leg of Brooks’ tour. At the time, Brooks was still a rising star with hits like “If Tomorrow Never Comes” and “The Dance.” Duff remembers the experience fondly, saying that despite his fame, Brooks was down-to-earth and humble. “He had the same southern charm as Elvis,” she recalls, with Brooks even letting her use his dressing room’s electricity to dry her hair.
One of the most memorable moments from the tour was when Brooks debuted what would become his signature hit, “Friends in Low Places.” “He was only starting to get known here, but ‘Friends in Low Places’ made him a huge star,” Mary notes.
Although it’s been over 30 years since they toured together, Duff still has fond memories of her time with Brooks. She even managed to release songs written by Brooks and Kent Maxson, and she recalls that he was pleased with the songs. “Garth puts everything into his shows, as if it’s his last breath,” Duff says of the dedicated performer.