Brooks buzz: Rumors of a potential Garth Brooks trek continue to circulate among Nashville touring professionals. While the initial talk was that Brooks, who hasn’t toured since “retiring” from the road in 2001 (though he has played scattered shows and a residency in Las Vegas), would tour next year, Billboard now hears he’ll hit the road with wife Trisha Yearwood in 2015, with the apparent plan being multiples in arenas. Brooks’ manager Bob Doyle didn’t respond to a request for comment. Brooks was one of the most successful touring acts in history when he retired-insiders speculate he’d sell out across North America if the tour rumors prove true.
More Clear Channel moves: Is Clear Channel prepping an iHeartRadio country festival and TV awards show for 2014? Billboard caught up with Tom Poleman, the company’s president of national programming platforms, and John Sykes, its entertainment president, at the iHeartRadio Music Festival in Las Vegas and got some strong indications that planning for both is in the works. “We haven’t quite announced that yet. Shhh,” Poleman said of the country fest, which could take place as early as March in Austin. Sykes had a similar response to a question about whether Clear Channel was prepping its own Video Music Awards-esque show. “We are thinking about that — you’re a good reporter!”
Big fish: A Massachusetts radio station owner recently hosted Billboard for a day of sightseeing on Martha’s Vineyard. As “Jaws” was filmed on the island, discussion soon turned to sharks. The owner said he’d heard about a new, recently discovered species-a shark that walks, not swims, along the ocean floor, stealthily stalking its prey. “Must be a radio salesperson,” he quipped.