Country singer Garth Brooks releases first album in 13 years as he rejects iTunes and offers music for download on his website
Fans of country music legend Garth Brooks have waited a long time to hear new material by the star with his last album released over a decade ago.
But their loyalty will soon be rewarded with news that his first work since 2001 will be out in November.
Meanwhile the 52 year-old has rejected iTunes and is offering his back catalogue for digital download on his own website starting Monday.
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He's back: Country music legend Garth Brooks announces his first record deal in 13 years at a press conference in Nashville on Thursday
The hugely popular singer took a hiatus from the music industry thirteen years ago after the release of Scarecrow which went platinum five times over.
At the time he said he wanted to be around to raise his three daughters with wife Trisha Yearwood without the demands of touring and recording interfering in his role as a father.
Three years ago he told music journalist Roger Friedman: 'I’m not putting a new album out until all the babies are out [of the house].
'I’m going to raise them and then hit it with a vengeance. We’ve got another three or four years.'
And at a press conference in Nashville on Thursday, he said: 'The greatest gift you ever gave me was to allow me to go home and raise my children.'
No thanks iTunes: The 52 year-old star has rejected Apple's digital download service and will be making his music available on his own website
World tour: Garth will anounce plans for a major global tour next week
Family man: Pictured here in 2006 with his second wife Trisha Yearwood at the Annual Academy of Country Music Awards
The star revealed he has signed a deal with Sony for the album to be released in the autumn and a world tour is to follow with more details to be released next week.
'Our job is to go out there and fly the flag for country music,' Garth said speaking of the tour.
Doug Morris of CEO Records added: 'We couldn’t be more excited about joining forces with Garth to bring his music to people around the world.'
Living legend: Garth has sold in excess of 130 million albums worldwide
It was also announced that Garth has rejected a deal with iTunes and is instead going to make his back catalogue available for digital download on his own website.
The star, who has sold more than 130million albums has previously said that he has no animosity towards Apple but wanted to do things his own way.
On Monday fans will be able to purchase his music at www.garthbrooks.com
Back with a bang: The Oklahoma native has promised to thrill his patient fans who have waited a long time for his return
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