Last December, my show partner and fellow Hall of Fame speaker Marilyn Sherman and I had the pleasure of attending a Garth Brooks concert at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace—arguably the finest venue on the Las Vegas Strip.
The experience was not just a musical delight; it was a profound lesson in audience engagement, mirroring a habit I’ve cultivated over my decades as a speaker: being my own warm-up act.

Garth, with his charismatic presence, took to the stage, embodying what seasoned speakers and performers understand deeply—building rapport with your audience beforehand creates a more thrilling and impactful experience. He greeted the audience with a candid admission: “The sound is very different with people in the audience. This is going to sound very unprofessional!” This moment of vulnerability and authenticity had the crowd erupting in excitement. At that point, it was just Garth and his audience, no IMAG, no barriers, just a genuine connection.
He reminisced about his previous Vegas shows at the Wynn, which I also had the fortune to attend. Those shows, marked by their simplicity—just Garth and his guitar—left a lasting impression. Yet, this time, he promised something different with the presence of his band. However, first, he wanted to express his gratitude. As the curtain lifted, revealing the band, the stage was set not just for a concert but for an unforgettable experience. The show lasted nearly two and a half hours, with the audience’s energy remaining sky-high throughout.
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