Last we checked Garth Brooks was singing about all his friends in low places, but it looks like the country superstar has cozied up with Governor Bob McDonnell. In a new ad, the pair promotes the film and tourism industry in the Old Dominion. The spot will run 935 times in January and February on PBS and features the pair chilling on the capitol steps. After a dramatic reveal, Brooks says, "Even though I’m an Okie, I know why now, they still say: Virginia is for Lovers."
Do you have a cheese allergy? If not, watch the ad here.
Brooks recently visited Virginia as Executive Producer for the film Unanswered Prayers, named for one of his songs. The Lifetime original movie is said to have resulted in $2.8 million in spending in the Old Dominion, and was lured here by a $1.5 million grant from the Governor’s Motion Picture Opportunity Fund. (McDonnell has dramatically increased filmmakers’ incentives. Read more about that in a C-VILLE story here.)
Brooks, the wireless headset-wearing, bestselling artist of the SoundScan era, retired in 2000 but started performing in Las Vegas in 2009. We’ve got our Las Vegas and Oklahoma correspondents on high alert for signs that Governor McDonnell is promoting country music or Garth Brooks as a return favor.
Garth Brooks and Will Ferrell on SNL.
